Dear Influencers…

Dear Influencers,

Hi. How are ya? Just wanted to drop you a quick note.

I follow you because I like fashion. I like beauty tips and playing with make-up. I like to know how to organize the pillows on my bed and where to find cute mugs with my initial on it.

However, the second you begin to talk about your diet, weight loss, or supplements it is an immediate unfollow. That is not your arena. You are crossing the line. As a dietitian who works with clients with disordered eating, eating disorders, and those with an unhealthy relationship with food and their body, I feel VERY strongly about this.

Unfortunately, many of my younger clients don’t know any better. They really, really look up to you. You are truly “influencers” in every sense of the word. They will buy the supplement, do the exercise, stop eating meat – and then feel awful about themselves when they don’t look like you.

Many of you were blessed with great genetics and are starting to think about food and exercise for the first time. Maybe you’re super excited about it and want to share it with the world. Maybe a supplement company is paying you the big bucks to post about them despite the fact that you know nothing about supplements or the only research you’ve read is the PDF that they sent you. I completely get it if your new way of eating or your new workout feels great and your intention is to help others feel the same. I know most of you truly want to help other people and you care about your followers. But PLEASE – leave this type of advice to the professionals (aka registered dietitians). I cannot tell you how many times my clients have told me their got their diet advice or exercise routines from social media or their favorite influencer.

By the time they get to my office, they are already engaging in disordered eating behaviors and their self esteem is in the toilet.

When you post about intermittent fasting, switching to a vegan diet for “health”, swearing off “processed foods” – you are doing more harm than you may have intended. Many of you may be struggling with your body image or disordered eating – and I send you all the compassion in the world. But, your followers don’t know that. You might not even know that. Maybe, like some bloggers, you won’t realize your behaviors are harming your health until further down the road. Some of you admit it months or years later, others never will.

Here are a few facts to ponder:

• 95% of diets don’t work – 66% of dieters will gain more weight than when they started
• Supplements are not always regulated by the FDA. This means they aren’t tested for contaminants (or to see if they actually contain what they say they contain) until something goes wrong.
• Intermittent fasting, counting calories, keto, “clean eating”, etc. – they are all diets. And all of them put you at risk for nutrient deficiencies, disordered thoughts and behaviors, binge eating, hormonal imbalances, electrolyte imbalances, and more – just to name a few.
• According to Oxford Clinical Psychology, the media, society, family and psychological factors “are believed to affect weight concerns and promote disordered eating behaviors.” Again, I’m sure this is not your intention when you post about your new shake or doing a fasted workout… but please know, my clients are watching you.
• Body dissatisfaction is a key risk for eating disorders. Think about this: when you post your “before” photo, it implies that your body was not good the way it was and your new, smaller body is better. Your “before” body may look like some of your followers current bodies. That makes them feel awful.
• Eating disorders affect every shape, size, gender, and race. You do not need to be emaciated to be struggling from an eating disorder.  
• STOP SHARING YOUR DIET. It is harmful and unhelpful. We are all so complex and different that know two people will have the same response to a particular way of eating. Plus, most of your diets will fail (as mentioned above) and you will take all of your followers with you.
• Did I mention…. STOP SHARING YOUR DIET. PLEASE.   

Keep in mind that young boys and girls are comparing themselves to you. As an influencer, you have a responsibility – whether you like it or not. Please leave the nutrition advice to the professionals. If you aren’t sure, ask!