Site Notice We Are a Cooking Forum - Not a Medical or Nutrition Forum

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CookingBites is a cooking and food discussion forum. It is not a medical forum, a nutrition clinic, or a substitute for professional advice. This distinction matters and needs to be clearly understood.

Members must not give medical or nutritional advice. We are not medically or nutritionally qualified. Even if a member holds such qualifications, professional advice is generally limited to specific jurisdictions and individual circumstances, neither of which is known in an online forum. Posts that cross into medical or nutritional advice may be edited, removed, or held for moderation.

If you were medically or nutritionally qualified, you would also know that:

• Farming practices vary widely around the world
• Soil composition differs by region (for example, selenium levels)
• Nutritional needs and deficiencies vary by population
• Some countries mandate food fortification, others do not
• Laws and standards differ by country

Giving advice without knowing a person’s medical history, allergies, intolerances, or medications is irresponsible and potentially dangerous.

For this reason, CookingBites must remain a cooking-focused community. This is the only way to protect the site, its moderators, and its members.

 

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What Is Acceptable (With Caution)
General, non-directive statements about food are acceptable when phrased carefully and without making medical claims, for example:

Carrots are rich in nutrients and contain antioxidants, which may help protect cells from damage.

Milk is a source of calcium.

These statements are still not ideal without references, but they do not claim to prevent, treat, or diagnose.

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What Is Not Acceptable
Statements that imply medical or nutritional outcomes, certainty, or superiority are not permitted, for example:

Carrots prevent cancer and heart disease.

Milk is the best source of calcium.

These statements imply medical outcomes and make unqualified claims. Even when a claim contains a grain of truth, wording matters. “May help reduce risk” is not the same as “prevents”.

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Personal Experience vs Advice
Sharing personal experience is allowed; giving advice is not.
Acceptable:

My doctor diagnosed me with X and suggested ibuprofen for pain relief, which worked for me.

Not acceptable:

That sounds like tennis elbow - you should take ibuprofen.

You do not know:

• whether it is the same condition
• whether the person has liver or kidney disease
• whether they can tolerate NSAIDs
• whether ibuprofen is safe for them at all

If you are unfamiliar with terms such as NSAIDs, this illustrates why medical advice should not be given here.

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References and Country Context Matter
Nutritional content varies by country. For example, some countries fortify milk with vitamins A and D alone; others do not.
Statements such as:

Milk is a good source of vitamin D

may be true in certain countries, and for certain conditions, in certain people. Without context and references, such statements are misleading.

If you choose to post nutritional information:

• It must be clearly referenced
• References must be reliable and reputable (not blogs supporting personal theories)
• The country context must be stated where relevant

If you cannot be bothered doing this, do not post nutritional advice.

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Why This Matters
Many members have medical conditions, intolerances, or allergies. Recent posts have contained information that could have caused serious harm if followed. Not everyone can assess the reliability of information they read online.

CookingBites exists to share recipes, techniques, food culture, and the enjoyment of cooking, not to gamble with people’s health.

A generous pinch of scepticism is always recommended. A pinch of salt, sodium-reduced or otherwise, may be optional.