The surge in popularity of both vegan and carnivore diets shows how polarized nutritional advice can become, especially over social media.

According to Dr. Eric Westman, the digital era has introduced a plethora of extreme opinions on nutrition. These views, often shown without scientific backing, can mislead the public. Dr. Westman notes that while it's easy to presume these views stem from scientific debate, they mostly do not represent academic consensus.

Dr. Westman emphasizes the importance of vetting sources of information, especially when it comes to health-related content online. Often, views shared on social media are not from domain experts, leading to widespread misinformation. "Always consider the source," he insists.

True scientific inquiry craves open-mindedness. Dr. Westman argues against the absolute promotion of single dietary regimes without considering individual needs and the diverse outcomes observed among different populations.

"Scientific thinking understands uncertainty and remains open-minded," says Dr. Westman.

The Krueger Effect, wherein individuals overestimate their competence in domains they are not experts in, often perpetuates online, particularly in nutrition where public perceptions can drive sensationalism.

Dr. Westman recognizes that while some diets might show short-term benefits, they don't always predict long-term health outcomes. Personalization in diet — striking a balance between feeling good and ensuring longevity through proper nutrient intake — should be prioritized over strictly following a popular diet trend.

• Emphasize wholesome, minimally processed foods.
• Highlight plant over processed foods without excluding animal proteins completely.

Aggressive dogma surrounding diets lacks scientific support. Flexibility and tuning to personal health indicators should remain a cornerstone of healthy dieting strategies, a sentiment echoed by Dr. Westman as he stresses finding the balance best suited for an individual's life.

Lifetime adherence to a diet understood today might not eclipse potential bettered health strategies of tomorrow. The primary aim should be to pinpoint dietary practices that support sustained health and pleasurable food experiences. Key to this is preventing known risk factors for long-term illnesses while ensuring adherence to sound diet strategies.