The endless spin of your For You Page has rewired our idea of “healthy.” One swipe and you’re in a world of smoothie bowls, fit checks, and “What I Eat in a Day” videos. At first glance, it feels inspiring. But dig a little deeper, and it’s not always what it seems.
In my 20+ years as a clinical dietitian, I’ve never seen this level of confusion and anxiety around food and health that I am witnessing lately. Women, especially young women, are more overwhelmed than ever, trying to follow what’s trending online. Wellness feels more like a punishment.
I want to start with one of the most disturbing trends, # SkinnyTok. These videos aren’t just promoting thinness, they’re glorifying starvation. You’ll see things like “starving is the new healing” or “be light enough to float,” and even worse “Chew gum, drink water, stay busy.”
These aren’t cute phrases. They’re dangerous. I’m meeting teenage girls in my clinic who are terrified of something as basic as bananas. Girls who’ve lost their periods for months. Girls who have had severe digestive issues for weeks. All because someone on TikTok told them 600 to 800 calories a day is “discipline.”
And the scary part is, these videos rack up millions of likes. The algorithm rewards the most extreme content. It’s a breeding ground for disordered eating, and I see the fallout every day. I sense Anorexia showing itself back.
Then there’s “clean eating.” What began as a well-intentioned movement has turned into something more toxic. I’ve seen women completely cut out dairy, gluten, sugar, and carbs, not because of allergies, but because they’re scared.
They’re scared of being “impure.” Scared of eating “wrong.” That kind of fear has a name. Orthorexia. An unhealthy obsession with eating “right.” And let me tell you, it’s just as dangerous as binge eating.
Health is not about fear. It’s about flexibility. You don’t need to earn your food and calculate numbers for every morsel.
“What I Eat in a Day” is not real life. And what is the guarantee it’s true and not just beautifully designed content for views?
You’ve probably seen those aesthetically pleasing reels where a creator shows what they eat in a day: three almonds, a matcha, and a kale salad. No context. No explanation. Just stunning vibes.
But here’s the issue: millions of people watch this and think, “This is what I should be doing.” One of my clients came in, saying she was trying to copy an influencer’s routine. She was down to 800 calories a day. Her hair was falling out. She was freezing all the time and was anemic. And she still thought she wasn’t doing enough.
Food isn’t about optics. It’s about fuel.
And the DIY skincare has gone completely wild, and it’s getting ridiculous. People are rubbing crushed garlic on their faces. Making “facials” with lemon, baking soda, calamine, and who knows what. Result? Damaged skin barriers. Infections, Rashes. Burns. Inflammation. Here’s the truth: Natural doesn’t always mean safe. Your skin deserves more than viral hacks. And don’t even get me started on gut detoxes, castor oil cleanses, or raw beef liver.
We’ve officially entered the land of extremes and it’s important to treat your social feed like your diet. If it makes you feel worse about yourself, unfollow. If it shames you, block it. If it isn’t science-backed, it isn’t worth your time.
Follow people who lift you up. Experts who educate, not manipulate. Learn from your own body, not just someone’s highlight reel.
Wellness isn’t supposed to be this hard. It’s not meant to be exclusive, exhausting, or aesthetics-only. It’s about feeling strong, vibrant, nourished, and whole on your terms.
I believe it’s high time to bring the focus back to real health.
