Xpost: How to argue with a nutritionist - a variety of article sources quotes

Xposted by request from the main board:

A friend forwarded this to me. I thought it was interesting, and thoughtful to see studies being quoted to debunk different philosophies on nutrition. It is not WLS-specific. I am assuming that the articles quoted here debunk conventional wisdom, and I do wonder how many OTHER articles support that conventional wisdom are not listed here. But, take it as additional perspective and data points and perhaps speaking points for your next conversation with your dietician.

http://authoritynutrition.com/how-to-win-an-argument-with-a-nutritionist/

Laurie

I guess my nutritionist is pretty good, because she is spot on with the key points of the article. I will say, I do not care for the title. I certainly do not feel there needs to be an argument to have open conversation and if you don't trust in what your nutritionist says...find another. 

It appears to me the author of that article doesn't know how to read a study.  For example, in the second study cited in the first section on low-fat eating, the intervention group's fat intake dropped only 8.2% on average.  That's not low fat.  If you're eating a typical western diet and you reduce fat intake by 8.2% you haven't done anything meaningful and the averages reflect that.  However, there's this little gem in the conclusion:

• "Trends toward greater reductions in CHD risk were observed in those with lower intakes of saturated fat or trans fat or higher intakes of vegetables/fruits."  

In other words, the people who substantially reduced their fat intake had greater, observed reductions in CHD risk.  So in fact the study states at the exact opposite conclusion the author thinks it does.