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Nearly half of Americans now rely on unverified nutrition advice from social media and AI instead of consulting qualified professionals, according to a troubling new national survey released by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
The survey, published today, reveals that 56% of Americans primarily depend on their own online research for nutrition decisions, while 46% follow advice from social media influencers. One in three have used AI tools like ChatGPT to generate nutrition or weight-loss plans without professional consultation.
In response to this growing crisis of misinformation, the Academy has launched “A Seat at Every Table,” a multi-year nationwide campaign aimed at highlighting the essential role that credentialed nutrition experts play in public health.
“Nutrition touches every part of our lives, yet there is a major lack of public knowledge about who nutrition and dietetics professionals are,” said Wylecia Wiggs Harris, PhD, CAE, Chief Executive Officer of the Academy. The initiative specifically aims to raise awareness about registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) and nutrition and dietetics technicians, registered (NDTRs).
The timing of this campaign is critical, as eight in ten Americans report difficulty distinguishing fact from fiction regarding food and nutrition. In an era dominated by clickbait headlines, viral challenges, and self-proclaimed experts, the boundaries between entertainment and legitimate expertise have become increasingly blurred.
Deanne Brandstetter, MBA, RDN, CDN, FAND, the 2025-2026 President of the Academy, emphasized the stakes: “As a registered dietitian, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful evidence-based nutrition guidance can be—yet too many people are making decisions without access to credible guidance. This campaign is about reclaiming trust.”
Unlike influencers or AI algorithms, nutrition and dietetics professionals undergo rigorous education, clinical training, and continuous professional development. Their credentials require in-depth study and ongoing education to ensure their guidance remains current and evidence-based.
The distinction is particularly important as public health concerns about nutrition continue to rise. Misinformation about diets, supplements, and food choices can have serious health consequences, especially for vulnerable populations or those with specific medical conditions that require specialized dietary management.
“A Seat at Every Table” highlights the diverse environments where nutrition professionals make an impact—from hospitals and schools to workplaces, grocery stores, and policy development at state and federal levels. When these experts aren’t included in important conversations about nutrition, they create opportunities to ensure their evidence-based expertise informs decisions affecting community health.
The Academy, which represents more than 112,000 credentialed practitioners, is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. To support greater public understanding of the role these experts play, they’ve released a comprehensive toolkit featuring videos, fact sheets, and interactive resources at eatright.org/everytable.
The survey that prompted this campaign included 1,000 responses from a nationally representative sample of adults over 18 years old, with a confidence level of 95% and a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points.
This initiative represents a significant effort to combat what nutrition experts view as a growing public health crisis—one where scientific expertise is increasingly sidelined in favor of algorithmically-promoted content and unvetted advice. As dietary misinformation continues to spread through digital channels, the Academy hopes to reestablish the central role of qualified professionals in guiding the public’s nutrition decisions.
By emphasizing the specialized training and evidence-based approach that nutrition and dietetics professionals bring to the table, the Academy aims to help Americans navigate an increasingly confusing information landscape and make healthier, more informed choices about their diets and overall well-being.
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17 Comments
The nutrition crisis revealed by this survey is a sobering reminder of the importance of media literacy and critical thinking when it comes to health information online.
It’s alarming that one in three Americans are using AI tools like ChatGPT for nutrition and weight-loss plans without professional consultation. This highlights the dangers of unregulated health advice online.
Agreed, this is a concerning trend that needs to be addressed. Relying on AI for critical health decisions can have serious consequences.
This survey highlights the need for greater investment in public health education and stronger regulations around online health claims. The consequences of nutrition misinformation can be severe.
The Academy’s campaign to highlight the essential role of registered dietitian nutritionists and nutrition and dietetics technicians is a much-needed effort to combat misinformation.
Absolutely. Raising awareness about these credentialed professionals is key to ensuring people have access to reliable, science-based nutrition guidance.
Troubling to see the rise of nutrition misinformation online. Consulting qualified professionals is so important for making informed decisions about our health.
I agree, credentialed experts should be the primary source for nutrition advice, not social media influencers or AI tools.
It’s concerning that nearly half of Americans are relying on unverified nutrition advice from social media and AI. This highlights the urgent need for better public education on trusted health resources.
The Academy’s campaign is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address the systemic issues that have led to this nutrition crisis. Improving access to reliable health resources is crucial.
The rising reliance on social media and AI for nutrition advice is a worrying trend. We need to encourage people to consult qualified professionals and be wary of unverified online claims.
Agreed. Empowering the public to make informed, evidence-based decisions about their health should be a top priority.
The survey results are a wake-up call. We need to empower people to make informed nutrition decisions based on expert guidance, not unsubstantiated online claims.
Agreed. The Academy’s campaign is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to connect the public with qualified nutrition professionals.
The Academy’s campaign to raise awareness about RDNs and NDTRs is a timely initiative. Nutrition is critical to public health, and we need to ensure people can access reliable information.
Absolutely. Educating the public on the role of nutrition professionals is key to combating the growing crisis of misinformation.
I’m curious to see how the Academy’s “A Seat at Every Table” initiative will unfold and what impact it will have on public awareness and health outcomes.