Misleading health Gurus & social media

Do you ever wake up to your social media feed clogged with posts about how life-changing a certain product is, or how much harm water is doing us?

So much misleading nutrition information circulates the internet and is promoted by 'influencers' who know LOTS about nutrition, but have no actual concept of how little they really know.

They blast us with all the 'bad' foods to avoid and force a belief that in order to lead a healthy life we must follow their regime. I'm sure many of you have heard some of these:

• "only drink alkalised water and avoid normal water" (your stomach will change the pH of the water anyway...just saying)

• "Have protein shakes as meal replacements because we all need extra protein" (hmm...there's actually many natural sources of protein available in our foods if you are seriously lacking)

• "Have butter in your coffee because butter is the only good fat" (*cringes*)

• "Eat acai bowls and capsuled veggie supplements everyday" (because fresh fruit and veg is, um, bad?)...

For many, posting 2000 times a day and constantly making live videos to show us 'insight into their lives' is a simply marketing strategy to increase their following and advance their status on social media platforms.

These posts, which often contain 'pretty' pictures, are seen by the vulnerable public as new and credible information which MUST be true because it was on instagram and 'blahdiblah' who has 50,000 followers posted about it...

The more people talk, the more followers influencers gain, the more companies approach them to market a product, and just like that another new fad has circulated.

As much as it is tempting to take everything we hear and see as true, sadly we can't! (even if the influencer appears to you as natures goddess!). Influencers have the potential of giving health advice but not being held accountable.

Before following a regime or hopping on the bandwagon of someones latest product promotion, it's always wise to question a persons credentials and wonder where their information is truly coming from.

Let's keep it real and continue to eat the fresh, wholesome foods that we love and enjoy.

~The Innovative foodie