Americans are confronted with nutrition and food information all the time. It can come from all angles: the news, friends, social media and advertisements. But much of that information is conflicting, making deciding what to eat more complicated.

The 2017 Food & Health Survey gives a new perspective on conflicting nutrition information and how it affects Americans’ food choices. Survey findings also suggest that this preponderance of conflicting information may stem from a disconnect between the sources Americans trust and those they rely upon. Despite the fact that most Americans report that they trust registered dietitians and other healthcare professionals for information about food and nutrition, they often don’t have access to them as a primary source for what to eat and how to cook. Instead, many rely on less-trusted friends and family to instruct them. This may leave many individuals – especially millennials – feeling uncertain about their food choices. These new results reveal opportunities for credentialed experts, like registered dietitians and healthcare professionals, to work towards being a trusted and relied upon source for information about food and nutrition.