Influencers are everywhere these days, including the healthy eating area. While many provide helpful information, a recent investigative article in The Washington Post found that:
“The food, beverage and dietary supplement industries are paying dozens of registered dietitians that collectively have millions of social media followers to help sell products and deliver industry-friendly messages on Instagram and TikTok.
These influencers have been pushing “content that encouraged viewers to eat candy and ice cream, downplayed the health risks of highly processed foods and pushed unproven supplements.”
So be very wary as you look for helpful health information to retrain your brain and develop a solid belief in healthy eating, as encouraged in the previous post. Although influencers are required to clearly reveal paid sponsorships, many neglect to do so or their sponsorship reference is far from clear.
As with anything: Follow the money: Really who should you trust?
Someone trying to make a dime off your health by hawking some trendy idea that often caters to our less-than-best selves?
–or–
Someone who has no financial interest and only researches and shares information to help others achieve their best health?
Money talks–and unfortunately it is very often a lot louder than any of your good eating intentions! Pay attention to your sources. And as a general rule, skip right over any advice debunking real, whole foods or advocating processed foods like sugar, additives, white flour products, etc.