Hello everyone, and welcome to my fourth blog post, where I hope to understand how social media trends influence people’s understanding of what foods are considered healthy. With platforms such as TikTok and Instagram becoming major sources of nutritional information, numerous individuals are exposed to diet trends, influencer advice and unrealistic standards. While some content may encourage healthy habits, much of it is unsupported by scientific evidence. By examining studies on diet culture, influencer marketing and social media, I can better understand whether such trends promote accurate health information or contribute to misinformation and unhealthy behaviours. This topic allows me to question how much social media shapes society’s understanding of healthy eating.
Research shows that social media platforms have a significant influence on nutritional choices, along with emotional well-being, especially among teenagers and young adults (1). A recent study conducted by the University of Rhode Island found that many students experience stress surrounding food and their body image due to the constant exposure to diet and wellness content (1). Researchers discovered that social media platforms often create pressure to follow unrealistic eating habits or appearance standards (1). This demonstrates that online content not only influences food choices but also mental health.
Social media algorithms also contribute to how people perceive healthy eating (2). Once users interact with dieting, fitness, or wellness-related posts, platforms repeatedly recommend similar content (2). Over time, repeated exposure to such messages can make restrictive eating habits and unrealistic body standards appear normal or scientifically accurate (2). This shows how algorithms shape beliefs about food and health without individuals fully acknowledging it.
Many social media influencers promote restrictive diets such as keto diets, detoxes, low-carb eating and clean eating as the healthiest lifestyle choices (3). However, these trends are often based on personal opinions, sponsorships or marketing strategies rather than evidence (3). Health Canada explains that food marketing strongly influences consumer choices by using visuals, emotional appeals and influencers to advertise products as healthy or trendy (3). This demonstrates how marketing tactics shape public opinions about nutrition, even when claims are not fully supported by research.
Research on diet culture on TikTok highlights the harmful effects social media can have on perceptions of healthy eating (4). Studies found that many videos promote weight loss, restrictive eating, and unrealistic beauty standards, often associating thinness with health and success despite limited scientific evidence (4). Social media influencers also strongly impact younger audiences because teenagers often view influencers as relatable and trustworthy figures (5). As a result, followers may accept diet advice or promoted products without questioning whether the information is scientifically accurate (5).
Another major concern is the effect social media has on body image and mental health (6). Constant exposure to edited images, fitness trends and “what I eat in a day” videos can pressure teenagers to compare themselves to unrealistic standards, contributing to anxiety, low self-esteem, and unhealthy eating habits (6). Scientific studies also show that appearance-focused content is linked to body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviours among youth (7).
Overall, my second round of research helped me understand that social media strongly influences society’s understanding of healthy eating, although some content online is educational, much of it is shaped by trends, marketing, and appearance standards rather than scientific evidence. This emphasizes the importance of critically evaluating online health information and relying on credible scientific sources when making decisions about health and nutrition.
This research also prepares me for the next stage of my inquiry, where I plan on comparing scientific evidence with information promoted on social media. By analyzing both perspectives, I hope to form a conclusion regarding whether society’s understanding of healthy eating is primarily based on research or influenced heavily by trends, marketing and online culture.
- https://www.uri.edu/news/2025/04/social-media-significantly-influences-nutritional-choices-emotional-well-being-students-study-shows/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12845257/
- https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-guide/explore/healthy-eating-recommendations/marketing-can-influence-your-choices.html
- https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/public-health-nutrition/article/diet-culture-on-tiktok-a-descriptive-content-analysis/B8B5F4843393D5702EAA3B8C75603AE0
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338518828_The_Impact_of_Social_Media_Influencers_on_Children’s_Dietary_Behaviors
- https://changecreateschange.com/fueling-your-body-not-the-algorithm-how-social-media-body-image-and-diet-culture-impact-teens/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34687823/