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In the aftermath of a health scare, one woman’s journey through wellness misinformation highlights a growing public health concern that affects millions.
After discovering a breast lump weeks after giving birth in early 2022, the author endured a terrifying two-week wait for biopsy results. Though the lump proved benign, the experience triggered severe anxiety and exacerbated her chronic eczema. Desperate to regain control over her health, she became increasingly fixated on “naturally” curing her skin condition through diet.
“I wanted to believe that ‘food is medicine,’ as the mantra of wellness Instagram goes,” she explains, describing how social media algorithms flooded her feed with nutrition and wellness content during her vulnerable postpartum period.
What began as seemingly harmless dietary changes—eliminating alcohol and ultra-processed foods—gradually transformed into an obsession. Over nearly two years, she systematically eliminated dairy, gluten, eggs, and vegetables like tomatoes and eggplants based on influencers’ claims about inflammation reduction. She cycled through restrictive diets including low-histamine, vegan, paleo, and various fasting protocols, eventually avoiding social gatherings to maintain strict control over her food intake.
The author, who had previously recovered from anorexia as a teenager, eventually recognized she was developing another eating disorder and sought therapy. Her experience mirrors a troubling trend: according to MyFitnessPal surveys, 87% of millennial and Gen Z TikTok users get at least some dietary advice from social media, despite only 2% of nutritional content on these platforms aligning with public health guidelines.
Derek Beres, co-author of “Conspirituality,” which examines the intersection of wellness culture and conspiracy theories, identifies the COVID-19 pandemic as a turning point. “The pandemic made nutritional fearmongering more prevalent because of all the binaries it has set up,” Beres says. Many wellness influencers who lost in-person business opportunities pivoted to online platforms, often selling supplements while spreading fear-based messaging about food.
The wellness industry exploits legitimate concerns—broken food systems, corporate influence in nutrition, and gaps in healthcare—to promote unproven remedies. According to a 2022 poll, nearly one-fifth of Gen Z trusts TikTok more than healthcare providers, highlighting growing institutional distrust.
Danielle Shine, an Australian registered dietitian and nutrition misinformation researcher, warns consumers to be wary of influencers who use buzzwords like “clean,” “toxic,” or “poison” to describe foods, or who speak in absolutes about nutrition. “Influencers who make these kinds of oversimplified and misleading statements demonstrate a significant and dangerous lack of food and nutrition knowledge,” she says.
Shine recommends checking credentials carefully and being alert to financial interests. “Influencers who spread nutrition misinformation often promote and sell non-evidence-based products, including direct-to-consumer food-intolerance and microbiome tests, books endorsing restrictive diets, expensive food products marketed as being superior to more affordable alternatives and non-accredited online courses.”
The consequences of nutritional misinformation extend beyond individual health concerns. People may forsake medical treatment for serious conditions, take unregulated supplements with potentially dangerous ingredients, or develop disordered eating patterns. Long-term, this environment normalizes institutional distrust and creates a society accustomed to unreliable information.
To combat this influence, experts recommend following qualified nutritionists with clinical experience and practicing “lateral reading”—a method developed by misinformation researcher Mike Caulfield that focuses on evaluating information sources rather than simply questioning whether content is true.
For the author, recovery meant cleaning up her social media feed, reducing food rules, and rediscovering the cultural and personal significance of food. “When I cook sauerkraut-based dishes, I no longer wonder if they account for my ‘superfood’ intake for the week,” she writes. “Instead, I think about how my Polish grandmother cooked them for me as a child… In other words, I think of home.”
As health misinformation continues to proliferate online, her story serves as both a warning about the psychological toll of wellness culture and a reminder that healing often requires stepping away from the digital noise to rediscover food’s deeper meanings.
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13 Comments
This is a heartbreaking story, but an important lesson on the dangers of uncritically accepting ‘health’ advice from social media influencers. I hope the author’s experience encourages others to be more discerning consumers of online wellness content.
While the ‘food as medicine’ concept has some merits, the extreme elimination diets promoted by wellness influencers can be incredibly harmful. I’m glad the author recognized the need to escape that misinformation bubble and seek professional help.
Absolutely. Moderation and balance are key when it comes to nutrition. Blindly following restrictive fad diets can lead to serious health consequences.
Wow, this is a powerful example of how social media algorithms can exploit our vulnerabilities and lead us down dangerous paths. The author’s journey is a stark reminder to always verify claims and consult qualified professionals, especially when it comes to managing serious health conditions.
Agreed. The wellness industry on social media is rife with misinformation and pseudoscience. It’s crucial that people learn to identify credible sources and evidence-based advice when making important health decisions.
Dealing with a health scare is stressful enough without the added pressure of social media’s wellness echo chamber. I’m glad the author was able to break free from the misinformation and get the proper medical care she needed. This is an important lesson for us all.
Absolutely. Seeking professional guidance and maintaining a balanced, evidence-based approach to health and nutrition is so crucial, especially during challenging times. I hope the author’s story inspires others to be more discerning consumers of online wellness content.
It’s disheartening to see how social media can drive such destructive health behaviors. The author’s experience is a cautionary tale about the importance of critical thinking and consulting qualified experts, especially when dealing with complex medical issues.
This is a concerning case of how misinformation on social media can lead to harmful health behaviors. It’s important to be wary of unsubstantiated ‘wellness’ claims, especially during vulnerable times. Consulting qualified medical professionals is crucial for managing health issues.
Absolutely, relying on influencers’ advice over professional guidance can have serious consequences. Fact-checking and maintaining a balanced, evidence-based approach to diet and health is so important.
This story highlights the real dangers of the ‘wellness’ echo chamber on social media. Eliminating whole food groups without medical supervision can be extremely risky. I hope the author is now getting the proper care and support she needs.
Agreed. Social media algorithms that amplify these harmful wellness trends are a major public health concern. Rigorous regulation and education around responsible health content is sorely needed.
This is a concerning trend that speaks to the broader issue of health misinformation spreading online. The author’s experience highlights the need for better regulation and education around responsible health content on social media platforms.