Over 1/3 of adults in North Carolina have a BMI of 30 or higher, which is why it’s more important than ever to seek out reliable nutrition advice.
However, recent findings show that 87% of Gen Z and millennials rely on TikTok for health and nutrition advice.
"Following evidence-based nutrition advice from a primary care provider or registered dietitian is vital for achieving healthy and sustainable weight management," says Dr. Matthew William Calkins, a family medicine physician at Atrium Health Wake Forrest Baptist in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. "Social media diet trends do not account for your health history and nutritional needs.”
So how do you know what to believe?
Look for these nutrition red flags:
- The advice isn’t from a registered dietitian or certified medical professional.
- The nutritional claim lacks scientific research.
- It promises quick and appealing results.
- It promotes a certain product or brand.
- It involves excluding an entire food group, promoting a non-balanced diet.
“Proper nourishment helps maintain your overall health,” says Dr. Calkins, who loves sharing his passion for healthy eating with fellow Wake Forest family medicine residents. “If you rely too heavily on inaccurate nutrition advice, you may miss out on key nutrients or develop disordered eating habits.”
Losing 1 to 2 pounds of weight a week is a healthy amount of weight loss for those looking to lose weight. This method is also the most successful at keeping the weight off.
In addition to learning about fad diets, your social media pages may also be flooded with “What I eat in a day” videos. Dr. Calkins says to not take these videos too seriously. “You just see a snapshot of an influencer’s weekly food choices, which may not represent a balanced and sustainable diet that may fluctuate any given day.”
Wanting to improve your diet is a great first step toward better health. Before you make any changes to your diet, make sure to check in with your health care provider.
"Another reason to see a health care provider and not rely on the internet for advice is that they will be able to give you reliable lifestyle changes that are more likely to move the needle. If your health improves through these lifestyle changes, you may be able to stop blood sugar and blood pressure medications.”
Need a personalized recommendation? Find a primary care provider near you.