While they might claim that they are “fighting diet culture”, it feels like internet dieticians, whether making a YouTube short or a twenty-minute-long video, only add to the problem.
Let me be clear: I have nothing against dieticians, they can help people reach their goals, overcome problems surrounding food, or adjust to a new diet after being diagnosed with a food intolerance or allergy.
It does, however, get under my skin when people, including dieticians, take to the internet and adopt a “holier than thou” concept.
“Intuitive eating”, what the National Eating Disorder Association calls “trusting your body to make food choices that feel good…without judging yourself or the influence of diet culture”, is preached by every influencer-dietician out there. For some people, it works, and that’s great!
However, comparing intuitive eating to other methods of eating is problematic. People go KETO, low carb, high protein, or follow specific diets for different reasons. I’ve seen some YouTube shorts make fun of these very diets and then preach intuitive eating.
While the video is meant to be light-hearted, it gives off “if you’re doing this you’re wrong” vibes. If a particular method is working for someone they shouldn’t have to hear it be criticized by someone they thought would have helpful advice.
Another influencer-dietician’s content consists largely of picking apart other users’ “What I Eat in a Day” (WIEIAD) videos. While WIEIADs are a different rabbit hole of problems, nitpicking isn’t doing anybody any favors.
The tone of these videos often depends on what the WIEIAD consists of, if it’s something the dietician deems “wrong” or “disordered”, the response comes across as overly critical and, sometimes, downright harsh.
The internet is a dangerous place to share one’s voice. Say something one person disagrees with and you’re called out, canceled, and the negative comments don’t stop. It could very well be that influencer dieticians are abiding by this unspoken internet law. Regardless, catering to people they’re afraid will call them out while disregarding others is not a responsible method of posting content.
Stay off the internet for diet advice, regardless of whether the user is a “registered dietician” or not, it only leads to confusion. Instead, talk to a trusted professional in person, there will be less “do this” and more “let’s see what works for you”.
