Confirmation Bias

Definition

Confirmation bias is the tendency for people to favor information that confirms their preconceptions or hypotheses regardless of whether the information is true.

Nutrition Science

As I read through the book Good Calories, Bad Calories, I am struck by how forceful confirmation bias has been for the past century. Excellent, and contradictory, research was pushed aside because it did not support prevailing beliefs. Instead, the message “High Carb/Low Fat” was shouted from the rooftops so loudly, and for so long, that we have collectively forgotten other points of view. Now we are suffering the effects of this perspective as obesity, diabetes, heart disease and many other metabolic syndrome-related ailments skyrocket like never before, especially in the last 30 years.

Bizarro Health

Is it possible that fat, including saturated fat, was and is unfairly demonized? Is it possible that refined carbohydrates—sugars, flours and starches—are what’s killing us? Imagine eating a meal that is emotionally fulfilling, keeps you sated for several hours and yet is also healthy. We have all struggled with our eating habits, but it doesn’t have to be so difficult if we embrace the scientific data that’s been there all along, just ignored because it did not fit the party line.

Study Hall

If you are not intimidated by college-level reading, I highly recommend that you immediately run out and purchase Good Calories, Bad Calories and begin reading it. You can read an excerpt here.