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Why nutritionists on TikTok can be harmful to our society

The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Casper Libero chapter.

In this digital age, social media platforms have become a hub for professionals to share their knowledge, passions, and advice on various topics. With its bite-sized video format and wide-reaching audience, TikTok has contributed to the increase in content related to all types of topics like photography, economics, education and even health and nutrition. Because of that, the app has become both a boom and a bane for disseminating information.

tiktok

Is this a bad thing?

On the surface, this might seem like a positive development, with professionals sharing their expertise with the masses. However, their presence on TikTok may be doing more harm than good to our society. 

We talked to the specialist Carol Denadai about the subject. Carol graduated with a nutrition bachelor at the end of 2022. Nowadays, she works assisting patients online and also for a food inspection company, and she agreed to explore with us why nutritionists on TikTok can be harmful to our community, jeopardizing our health and well-being, while also discussing some of the negative trends that this social media promotes. 

Here are some of the reasons why these nutritionists, despite their qualifications, can be a disfavor to our collective welfare:

OVERSIMPLIFIED INFORMATION

TikTok’s format forces content creators to condense complex topics into short, attention-grabbing videos. While this might be effective for entertainment, it is far from ideal when dealing with nutrition. “Nutrition is a nuanced science, and simplifying it into 15-60 second videos can result in incomplete or inaccurate information,” said Carol.

TikTok’s algorithm might also favor sensational content over evidence-based recommendations, further exacerbating the spread of inaccurate information.

PROMOTION OF FAD DIETS WITH TRENDS

TikTok is notorious for its viral trends and challenges, and nutritionists are not immune to this phenomenon. She explained that this can mislead viewers into adopting potentially harmful fad diets, which essentially stand for a diet that is popular, generally only for a short time, without being a standard dietary recommendation, and often making unreasonable claims for fast weight loss or health improvements.

Who here remembers the “girl dinner” trend? The sound that went viral with women showing their small dinners, almost like normalizing eating disorders, and it’s a perfect example of how the app can incentive damaging behavior.

“Girl dinner” trend.

MISLEADING BEFORE-AND-AFTER TRANSFORMATIONS

Carol also talked about how nutritionists on TikTok often showcase dramatic “before-and-after” transformations to grab the attention of their public. While some transformations may be genuine and achieved through healthy means, others might involve unsustainable practices or even photo manipulation. These transformations can create unrealistic expectations and encourage viewers to try unhealthy dieting habits with the desire of having that body transformations.

ENGAGEMENT OVER ACCURACY

In the world of social media, engagement metrics often dictate success. Nutritionists may prioritize creating content that attracts likes, shares and comments over content that is thoroughly researched and accurate. This could lead to the dissemination of catchy, but scientifically questionable, information.

EATING ROUTINE? BUT EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT 

Some nutritionists often post their eating routine like it is the only right way of having a healthy diet. But they forget that everyone has different needs. “Unfortunately, some nutritionists even show their diet as it is the best for everyone”, stated Carol. “Bodies are different and have different needs. What is good to someone, may be very unhealthy for other body”, she continued.

Besides not agreeing with this type of content, she believes that nutrition shouldn’t expose their eating habits, once people consider it as the best option for their own as well. 

@emthenutritionist

WHAT I EAT IN A DAY AS A NUTRITIONIST Breakfast: hot honey eggs on sourdough with avocado paired with a vanilla protein collagen matcha. Why: High in protein to keep me satisfied all morning and improve satiety to avoid mid morning slumps. Chilli flakes contain a powerful antioxidant capsicum which can further balance my blood sugar. Avocados are a source of fibre, healthy fats and skin-loving vitamins. Vanilla collagen from @myprotein adds an extra boost of protein to my breakfast which is so delicious and easy to drink. Matcha is my favourite slow release caffeine to leave me energised for the morning. This combination keeps me going all the way to lunch. Lunch: Tuna crunch toasted bagels Why: A quick lunch that I can make between meetings. I add lots of extra vegetables and herbs to my tuna mix to support my gut health with lots of lovely diversity. I swap mayo for yoghurt to get in extra calcium, and vitamin B12. Tuna is a great lean protein providing lots of lovely B vitamins and dietary vitamin D. Dinner: Creamy roasted red pepper pasta with lentil pasta Why: Red peppers are packed full of vitamin C which supports the functioning of your immune system. I like to make a creamy sauce with nutrient dense cashews to get in extra minerals like iron, zinc and also magnesium which can aid in my sleep. Lentil pasta provides a boost of fibre and protein compared to regular wheat pasta making it a nice swap. Snack: Peppermint tea and 70% dark chocolate Why: peppermint tea helps settle and soothe my gut after a day of eating. Dark chocolate is packed full of antioxidants called polyphenols which can feed my good gut bacteria in turn reducing inflammation and promoting good gut health. #wieiad #whatieayinaday #wieiadrealistic

♬ Lofi – Domknowz
Nutritionist shares her daily meals.

Okay, but give me the conclusion. Should I stop following nutritions on tiktok? 

While it’s encouraging to see nutritionists, like other professionals, using digital platforms to educate the public, the limitations and dynamics of the media can hinder their effectiveness and contribute to the dissemination of misleading information. It is important to remember that the video is not a medical appointment.

Nutritionist care is something that you shouldn’t learn based only on the internet research and social media posts. You should find a nutritionist that you feel comfortable with and go personally to have the care that you need. You shouldn’t stop following and watching the content on TikTok, but be aware that not everything you consume is true, even if it comes from a professional. 

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The article above was edited by Rafaella Alcici.

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Larissa Brasil

Casper Libero '24

Lari joined the team at her first year of college and fell in love for it while producing videos about inspiring women for Her Campus instagram. She is now the director of HCCL’s tiktok team. Passionate about cinema, photography, writting and to communicate through audiovisual, Lari is majoring in Radio and Television. She works at TV Globo, a Brazilian television network and communications industry. Besides work and studies, Lari loves traveling, watching movies and dancing. Ballerina in her free time, coldplay lover and netflix #1 fan. :)