Here are some reasons why you shouldn’t listen to Instagram influencers, but the actual experts.
The internet can be a great place. I love how it allows me to connect with loved ones, colleagues, and follow the every move of celebrities like Chrissy Teigen, who I consider “a friend in my head.” It’s also a platform to learn about almost anything. Who knew that sloths can hold their breath for 40 minutes? Or that Whitney Port says she turned down a one-night-stand with Leonardo DiCaprio in 2009.
Having said that, the internet has its issues. A lot of them. As a registered dietitian, my biggest beef with the internet is that it gives “wellness influencers” free reign. By wellness influencers, I don’t mean registered dietitians or other medical professionals who also happen to have a big following on social media. What I mean is the plethora of people who have no real health or nutrition credentials, yet have a lot to say about your health and the “best” way to live your life.
In this day and age, it’s tough to not conflate a large following with credibility on any topic, including health. When you notice that someone has tens or hundreds of thousands of engaged followers, it’s tough NOT to think “Huh, this person must really know what they’re talking about!” But that’s dangerous.
A quick Youtube search will get you an almost unlimited array of non-credentialed influencers promoting everything from the keto diet to the OMAD diet (which stands for One Meal A Day and is actually a real thing). I’ve seen influencers claim that if you just base your diet around one food—let’s take a potato for example (yes, the potato diet is a real fad)—you will lose weight, avoid heart disease, and cure your diabetes. All in just 10 days.
For full article – https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326421.php
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