{"id":3448,"date":"2026-08-04T13:28:20","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T17:28:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/johannevezina.com\/?p=3448"},"modified":"2026-08-04T13:29:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T17:29:14","slug":"a-study-examines-how-many-influencer-offering-nutrition-advice-are-actually-qualified-to-do-so","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/johannevezina.com\/en\/a-study-examines-how-many-influencer-offering-nutrition-advice-are-actually-qualified-to-do-so\/","title":{"rendered":"A study examines how many influencer offering nutrition advice, are actually qualified to do so."},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let&#8217;s imagine this&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We open our phone for a few minutes, a recipe appears, then an influencer explains which foods to eliminate. A few seconds later, another says exactly the opposite. Then someone promises to effortlessly lose 10 pounds or cure our inflammation with one single food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In less than five minutes, we received more nutritional advice than we did twenty years ago in an entire year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But one question remains: how much of this advice is personalized and really based on scientific data&#8230; And how many are simply based on opinions, marketing or click-finding?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today, I propose that we learn to differentiate between credible nutritional information and content that can, at times, harm our health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Here is the radio interview in which journalist Adrien Blanc and his Radio-Canada team invited me to participate, in order to help them see things more clearly.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ici.radio-canada.ca\/ohdio\/premiere\/emissions\/le-reveil-nouvelle-ecosse-et-t-n\/segments\/rattrapage\/2423332\/actualite-jour\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Please click here for the radio interview<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>As well as the written summary of the highlights.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Thank you for your interest in healthy eating and enjoy listening or reading!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>And above all &#8220;Savour life&#8221;!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Your nutritionist and speaker, member of the Ordre des di\u00e9t\u00e9tistes nutritionniste du Qu\u00e9bec, Johanne V\u00e9zina, P.Dt.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Social media has a strong influence on our diet<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Influencers are having a growing impact on eating habits.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Algorithms continuously offer nutritional advice, recipes and diets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It becomes difficult for the public to distinguish reliable information from false promises.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Very few creators are actually qualified<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>According to the study led by <a href=\"https:\/\/cdnsciencepub.com\/doi\/10.1139\/apnm-2025-0504\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dr. Leah Cahill<\/a> (Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia):\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Less than 25% (22.5%) of the content analyzed came from physicians, dietitians or nutritionists.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>More than three out of four pieces of content are therefore produced by people without recognized training in nutrition.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Note that <strong>the most popular tips are not necessarily the most reliable.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Nutritional advice should be personalized<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A real nutritional consultation conducted by a nutritionist or dietitian who is a member of an order, such as the Ordre des di\u00e9t\u00e9tistes nutritionnistes du Qu\u00e9bec, considers, in particular:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Diseases;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Medications;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Food allergies or intolerances;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Eating habits;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/johannevezina.com\/en\/tastes-are-in-nature\/\">Tastes<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/johannevezina.com\/les-gouts-sont-dans-la-nature\/\"><\/a>&nbsp;and preferences;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cooking skills;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lifestyle (budget);<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Health goals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An influencer usually doesn&#8217;t have this information before making a recommendation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. The most common false advice<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Among the misleading messages found on social networks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Miracle diets;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fasting or skipping meals;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Promises of rapid weight loss;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Detox;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Miracle foods;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unique solutions applicable to everyone.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This advice is often based on little or no scientific evidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5. Fasting is not necessary to improve your health<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The best current science shows that it is often more effective to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Eat more vegetables;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Eat more fruit;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose whole grains;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Favor lean protein foods (such as poultry, fish, legumes);<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Adopt good sustainable habits.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eating better is generally more effective than eating less.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>6. There is no such thing as a &#8220;superfood&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The term &#8220;superfood&#8221; is essentially marketing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In reality:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>No single food cures everything;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No food is perfect;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It&#8217;s the whole diet that counts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>7. No food is forbidden<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A healthy diet allows you to eat everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rather, the objective is to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Increase the frequency of nutritious foods;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduce the consumption of ultra-processed foods;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Preserve the pleasure of eating.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Example: Ice cream can be part of a balanced diet, especially when it is accompanied by seasonal fruits, such as blueberries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>8. People of all ages and particularly young people (teenagers, young adults and sometimes even children) are targeted by influencers.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Companies sometimes use:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Several or hundreds of influencers to promote 1 product;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Messages that bear little resemblance to advertising;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Content specifically designed to attract:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>9. Marketing is often disguised<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most frequently promoted products include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sugary drinks;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Energy drinks;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fast food;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Potato chips;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Candy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These promotions often seem like personal recommendations but they are not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>10. How do I recognize credible information?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before believing any nutritional advice, it is useful to ask yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Who is speaking?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What is his training?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is he or she a member of a professional order? For example, the Ordre des di\u00e9t\u00e9tistes nutritionniste du Qu\u00e9bec?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask questions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take a photo of: the food or product in question, the list of ingredients and the nutritional value table and show it to your nutritionist<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Are the claims based on scientific studies?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is there a conflict of interest?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is there a sponsorship?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Consulting a nutritionist or dietitian who is a member of a professional order remains the best approach. We can be consulted in person or remotely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Together we saw that:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Popularity is not a guarantee of credibility.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. A healthy way of eating is not based on miracle diets, but on sustainable habits.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Before following any advice seen on social media, check the qualifications of the person giving it.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>&#8220;Social media can be a great source of inspiration&#8230; but they should never replace the personalized advice of a dietitian nutritionist who is a member of a professional order.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A study examines how many YouTubers offering nutrition advice are actually qualified to do so.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3455,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[38,36],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3448","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","category-food"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/johannevezina.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3448","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/johannevezina.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/johannevezina.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/johannevezina.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/johannevezina.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3448"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/johannevezina.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3448\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3459,"href":"https:\/\/johannevezina.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3448\/revisions\/3459"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/johannevezina.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3455"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/johannevezina.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3448"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/johannevezina.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3448"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/johannevezina.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3448"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}