Why I Don’t Take Health Advice From Social Media
- Allie Redding
- Sep 26, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 4, 2024
The importance of discerning between expert and entertainer.
There are too many voices- make sure you know which is worthy of your time
Allie Redding RDN, LD
Keep reading if this sounds familiar:
You are bombarded with differing mainstream health ideology- all of which claim to be pillars for success; all of which contradict one another. There is so much information out there… Where do you start?
After years of following health and fitness influencers you are now convinced every food group is off limits - you don’t know what gluten is but you know it is in everything and you can’t eat it - your anxiety is through the roof and your weight is still yo-yoing.
It’s the end of the day and that nagging craving is back begging for something sweet. You remember one guru who encourages honoring cravings and another who says to never give in. The stress of not knowing which choice to make drives you to emotionally eat 4 Oreo cookies and reach for more.
If some of this strikes a chord, you are in good company. You are among the majority that is wondering how to make sense of this jumbled web of health advice.
While I empathize with the state of confusion that exists in the health and nutrition arena, I am here to tell you there is in fact a foundation of truth. It is not all smoke and mirrors, you are not a lost cause, and we are not all gluten intolerant.
There is a lot we still don’t know, however, and anyone who claims to have a one-size-fits all answer is simply just not informed enough. Not everyone who claims to be an expert is worthy of your trust.
One of the reasons I decided to start a private practice is because I could see there was too much conflicting advice being tossed around without evidence or accountability. And if there is one place lacking accountability, it’s social media.
And politics... but I can only adequately speak to the former.
Social media has created a positive feedback loop for spreading misinformation as long as it attracts attention. Throwing out dramatic statements that are contradictory is entertaining, which increases viewers, and therefore increases its value in the algorithm. Beware of this.
We must not equate popularity on social media platforms with accuracy and credibility.
Be cautious if someone claims to be an expert when they aren’t being held accountable to the knowledge they preach. Large followings do not always equal validity or expertise.
This isn't to say that there can't be crossover. I know some very credible health professionals who have built a premier social media following with truthful content. The two don't have to be mutually exclusive. But caution should be taken when advice is unregulated.
If you want to know more about your personal health goals, connect with someone you trust to lead you in a direction that is evidence driven and understands the risk to benefit ratio for the advice they give.
Holistic and western treatments don’t have to be at odds. It is common to lean more in one direction than another. But both professionals should follow practices that are reputable, be accountable for their actions, be honest about limitations in research, and support the expertise they claim to have.
Social media was originally created to connect people in everyday life about everyday topics. It’s a beautiful tool and a deadly weapon when not wielded appropriately. I think we may give it more power than we should.
Some things to think about when it comes to the health advise you listen to:
#1 - Find Experts, not Entertainers
Ensure those you deem as “experts” hold credibility and are accountable to the advice they give. Anyone can claim to be an expert, but not everyone is. Some may be experts in one area, but out of their scope in another. We must discern the difference.
#2 - Not Everyone is Worthy
Health is a precious thing. We only get one body, so we need to make sure we trust those who tell us how to care for it. Be wise with who you trust with your health and make sure they can back up the claims they make.
#3 - Understand Your Values
What do you value when it comes to your health? And Why? Find professionals who align with those values and expect them use evidence based practices.
Interested in learning more? Check out my related blog posts, including thoughts on why Fad Diet trends usually aren't worth their hype!
If you have questions about your next steps, I would love to help!
I offer a free 30 minutes introductory consult to make sure I am the right fit for my clients! I hold to evidence based practices and individualized nutrition strategies to help you accomplish your health and fitness goals. If you would like to learn more about how I work with clients, please check out my Free Consult Call here!
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