Introduction to TikTok’s Nutritional Advice
While it is sometimes based on science, most of TikTok’s nutritional advice is quite half-hearted. Maybe that’s why the platform’s trend of "Propaganda that I don’t fall" is quickly gaining steam, where users share wellness hacks that they think are completely wrong.
Experts’ Concerns
It cannot be fast enough for some experts. "Millions of people turn to TikTok to get health advice, but this cannot be advisable and even dangerous!" says Kerry Beeson, a nutritional therapist. "Many TikTok trends are not equipped for health advice from inexperienced influencers that are not qualified. Usually, they share concepts that have worked for them, but this does not mean that these strategies are correct for everyone."
Debunking Nutritional Myths
Beeson debunks six nutritional myths that you can certainly throw in the garbage.
Your Body Can Only Absorb 30g of Protein at a Time
This was the mantra under the fitness bros for some time – and it is wrong. "The optimal protein intake at every meal is a hot topic, and many thanks, but the 30g absorption myth has been largely discredited," she says. In fact, the body metabolizes a lot of protein we eat, and we must not forget that protein has a variety of other uses in the body and muscles.
The Carnivore Diet is Super Healthy
While some influencers and celebrities have advertised it as a game-changer, it may not be a surprise that the trendy carnivore diet is roasted by experts. "When we consider meat as a source of food, it is certainly rich in nutrients: protein, iron, and zinc, B vitamins, and fats," she says. However, there are no other vitamins and antioxidants, healthier fats, and the fiber that is needed to support a healthy intestinal microbiome that we know is crucial for good health.
Seed Oils are Bad for You
Seed oils that come from the seed of a plant such as sunflowers, rapeseed, and sesame have a pretty bad rap these days. Beeson’s take? Don’t believe everything you hear. "Seed oils are quite healthy, as they are usually low in saturated fats," she says. Many seed oils contain advantageous nutrients such as antioxidants, linolenic acid (an essential omega-6 fatty acid), and some contain small amounts of omega-3.
Peppermint Tea is Good for Indigestion
While this might have been Grandma’s remedy for abdominal pain, Beeson warns that things could backfire. "Peppermint tea has long been a natural remedy for digestive disorders or heartburn," she says. Although it is an antispasmodic that can help relieve flatulence and bloating, the muscle-relaxing effects of peppermint can actually make the symptoms of heartburn worse by loosening the sphincter of the lower esophagus.
If You Eat Before Going to Bed, You Will Gain Weight
If your schedule makes it difficult to eat before the sun goes down, don’t despair. While "food can affect your sleep before going to bed because your digestive system is hard at work overnight" when it comes to weight gain, "it shouldn’t make a difference if you eat your daily calories as long as you burn as many every day as you consume," she says.
Microwaves Destroy Nutrients
No, your science oven is not out to get you. According to Beeson, the idea that microwaves destroy nutrients is "a common misunderstanding". Nutrients in food are destroyed by heat, while water-soluble vitamins can be lost by immersing them in water. These factors are the same regardless of the heating method. The nutrient content may be higher in some microwave-cooked foods due to the shorter cooking time and the lack of requirement to be immersed in boiling water.
