Food trends gone wrong: 6 millennial habits that can damage your health
Photo: Why fashion trends aren’t always about health (Freepik)
Social media is increasingly influencing how young people eat, and often that influence is harmful. Experts warn that aesthetic trends, short videos, and "healthy tips" from TikTok have transformed eating into a show rather than a way to care for the body. Here are the 6 biggest eating mistakes of Gen Z and millennials.
What habits the new generation has
According to dietitian Kylie Sakaida, a bestselling author and expert on eating behavior, millennials and Gen Z grew up in an atmosphere of “clean eating” and content like "What I eat every day."
This created a false idea that healthy food must look perfect: minimal carbs, green powder in the morning, matcha before lunch.
Research confirms that 61% of millennials and 70% of Gen Z get their nutrition advice from social media. And this opens the door to widespread myths.
Top 6 nutrition mistakes popularized by social media
A pretty picture matters more than actual benefit
Many young people focus on how a dish looks on camera rather than on nutrient balance. Sakaida emphasizes that the most nutritious meals often appear simple and unappealing aesthetically.
Viral trends replace normal eating
"Girl dinner," metabolism shots, or the craze for cottage cheese make eating habits unstable.
The expert recommends going back to basics: protein, fiber, plant-based foods, water, and regularity.
The belief that health requires extremes
Detoxes, challenges, fasting, and resets create an illusion of productivity but increasingly lead to burnout. The key is maintaining stable eating habits, not 30-day marathons.
Normalization of skipping meals
Coffee instead of breakfast, "I'm too busy to eat," unnecessary intermittent fasting practices drain the brain and worsen mood. Regular, balanced meals are the foundation of normal hormonal and cognitive functioning.
Feeling guilty
Influencers often romanticize only home-cooked meals. But millennials and Gen Z live in a fast-paced world where that's not always possible. Prepared ingredients, quick meals, or delivery services can all be part of a healthy diet.
Culinary performativity as social currency
Food content has become a form of communication, with store reviews, aesthetically pleasing plates, and viral restaurants. But when food turns into a performance, the most important thing gets lost, which is how you actually feel.
What's important to remember
Sakaida stresses that healthy eating doesn't need to be perfect or "Instagrammable." It doesn't need to follow trends or demanding challenges. The most effective approach is one that is realistic, balanced, and supports long-term stability.
Earlier, we revealed that a trendy drink everyone loves may cause hair loss.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
