TikTok is filled with dieting advice, tips and hacks that claim to help followers lose pounds, but can you trust them? Nutritionist Kate Llewellyn-Waters says many of the weight loss trends on the platform are “worrying” because they come from “influencers who do not have the nutrition or science background to advise.”
“Some influencers are promoting an inaccurate image of nutrition and health,” Kate explains, “and this is worrying for a lot of the younger adults and teens who are watching this content and who are particularly vulnerable to eating disorders.” She shares the hacks that are helpful and the ones to avoid.
- Lemon coffee for weight loss - Some TikTokers say adding half a squeezed lemon to a cup of coffee can help you shed pounds, but not only does it not sound appealing, there’s no scientific evidence that coffee with lemon supports weight loss.
- Cucumber dipped in stevia - Social media users say dipping cukes in stevia (a natural sweetener that comes from a plant) tastes like watermelon and that it’s a healthier snack. But Kate says just eating watermelon is fine in moderation and is likely to taste a lot better.
- Lose 10 pounds in a week drinking juice - Some people use a juice cleanse to kickstart their weight loss journey, but research has shown that while it may lead to an initial weight loss, followers tend to gain the weight back when they start eating regular food again. Kate also warns that “promising followers you can lose 10lbs in one week is concerning as it can promote extremely unhealthy relationships with food.”
- How to make Kimchi videos - This nutrition expert says videos explaining how to make this Korean food are popular on TikTok and she gives this trend a thumb’s up. Evidence shows Kimchi benefits gut health, so she recommends the fermented vegetable dish.
Source: Daily Mail