The problem with "What I Eat in a Day" videos
Imagine you’re scrolling through Instagram or TikTok and you come across a “What I Eat in a Day” videos, how do you feel when you watch them?
In this blog I’m sharing some of the problems I see with “ What I Eat in a Day” videos as a registered psychologist, and then some tips on how to best approach them.
This might not impact you – and that’s cool – but these are things that are worth considering the next time you watch one.
#1 - Unrealistic
The videos are often unrealistic - perhaps just a small part of someone’s day-to-day, or a specific day.
We know that on Social Media there are many photos and videos that make the cut; and those that don’t. Most people don’t post the ugly slop. bit they will post their beautifully curated meals that probably took hours to create.
And you probably don’t have the time or the energy to eat like that. This in and of itself might not be a problem, especially if you’re aware of it. But no doubt there are others who feel that this is the standard to meet and that you must eat perfectly all the time.
#2 - One size does NOT fit all
We are all different people with different calorie needs and requirements. Some of us are more active than others, in which case we need more food.
However, there’s often an assumption that if you eat like this influencer, then you’ll look like her too. I had a problem with this: especially if it’s encouraging people to eat in a way that might not be healthy them.
I often see videos where it appears that the person eats very little in a day (which may or may not be the case) but if this way of eating is copied, it might turn into a real problem.
#3 - Advice isn’t from an expert
Influencers often dish out advice. They might say oh I eat like this to heal my bloating; or eating this has helped with my acne.
And that may well be the case, but we have to remember that this advice isn’t coming from an expert. It’s their personal opinion. It certainly doesn’t mean it will help with your bloating or acne.
And honestly if you are suffering from any health issues, it’s important to speak to an expert who can help.
#4 - Encourages comparison
When I watch these videos, I definitely compare what I eat with what these influencers are eating. And then I look at my meals and their meals and I think oh dear.
Luckily I’m so far beyond my eating disorder days that it truly doesn’t bother me. Btu I can well imagine my teenage self, comparing my food with what the influencers are eating.
No doubt it would have brought up feelings of guilt or anxiety that I wasn’t eating good” enough food, or that it wasn’t healthy enough or pretty enough.
We spend too much of our time comparing and it’s not good for our mental health.
#5 - Encourages disordered behaviour
Unfortunately, “What I Eat in a Day” videos can encourage disordered behaviour; especially if they focus on weight loss, or eating for 1200 calories a day.
Many videos are very low calories or are filmed by people on certain diets.
This may encourage viewers to cut foods out, diet themselves, or even to compensate with over exercising…
It’s all disordered behaviour.
Having shared my reservations. I know some people will still want to watch these videos, so what’s the best way to approach them? Here are my tips:
Firstly, if they are triggering, I would approach with caution. Perhaps cut down what you’re watching, or choose more carefully who you watch!
I would focus on seeing them as fun, but not factual. Yes it might be fun to see what a specific model eats in a day, but don’t assume that this is what you should eat in a day.
You might also use the videos as a way to discover new dishes, recipes or food ideas, taking more of a discovery angle.
But overall, if you find that watching the videos encourages any negative behaviours like cutting back on food, dieting, bingeing, cutting out food groups, of over-exercising, then I would avoid them all together.
I hope you found these tips helpful. If you’re ready to make peace with food, then sign up to my (free) food freedom masterclass here to find out how.