Lately, it seems nearly every swipe of social media contains some version of nutrition advice, and according to dietitians, much of it is faulty at best, dangerous at worst.
One trend takes the “What I Eat in A Day” format. Clips typically feature an influencer concocting and enjoying smoothie bowls, protein shakes, and carefully portioned meals meant to represent an ideal daily diet. But nutrition experts say those viral routines rarely tell the full story.
Jenna Seeley, a registered dietitian at Wellstar Health System, said the biggest problem with the trend is that viewers often assume someone else’s diet should work for them, too.
“Someone who’s going to the gym every day or training for something is exerting a lot of energy,” Seeley said, “so they might need more protein or electrolyte replacement. But for someone who isn’t working out that intensely, some of those products may not be necessary.
In other words, the protein powders, electrolyte drinks, and supplements frequently featured in social media videos may be beneficial for some people but are not necessary for everyone. For most people, the goal should be far simpler: focus on a balanced, varied diet rather than chasing every trending product.
“Our bodies usually tell us what we need,” Seeley said. “The big takeaway is that you don’t always need to be supplementing with trending food items. A general, well-balanced diet is what matters most.”
That advice also applies to the popular “detox” routines also seen on many social media diet videos. Juice cleanses and detox teas frequently promise to reset the body or flush out toxins, but Seeley said the human body already does that work naturally.
