Planning a New Year diet? Don’t take ‘fad’ nutritional advice from clueless celebrities and influencers on social media, top experts urge

Dietitians have urged the public not to follow 'fad' nutritional advice from unwitting celebrities on social media.

The British Dietetic Association says 'influencers' should not be mistaken for experts simply because they have millions of followers.

It warned that the trends could be dangerous, cause medical problems and lead to eating disorders.

The trade body, which represents more than 11,000 members of the UK dietitian workforce, has issued a warning as many Britons plan a New Year's diet.

Dietitians are constantly asked about crazy weight loss solutions that their patients or clients have heard about on social media.

In 2023 alone, members of the BDA were asked about avoiding carbs, gummies for weight loss, a raw cleanse diet, products aimed at people going through menopause and burning belly fat, the carnivore diet, pureeing foods, juice diets, cider vinegar for weight gain . loss – and the fasting diet with fruit, eggs and water.

Caroline Bovey, a registered dietitian and chair of the BDA, said: 'Most of us wouldn't take a medicine to tackle a medical condition without seeking medical advice or making sure it has been properly tested .

'And yet some of us are persuaded to completely change our diets, often overnight, based on something that someone with little or no nutritional expertise says will work for them.

'Positive, healthy messages around food can often be lost at this time of year in favor of quick fixes with convincing before and after photos, which sometimes do more harm than good.

'As a profession, we want to ensure that people who want to make changes in 2024 do so in the healthiest and safest way possible.'

Alexia Dempsey, another registered dietitian, said, “We live in a strange time when individuals with little to no dietary or medical training can provide nutritional and lifestyle advice to the masses.

'This is often due to the reach on social media.'

The BDA said it is easy to understand why people are tempted by 'quick fixes', especially when these are promoted by trusted public figures and role models.

However, it warned that the medical implications of rapid weight loss could be 'extremely problematic' and lead to disordered eating.

Jennifer Low, a registered dietitian and BDA spokesperson, said: 'So many unqualified people are giving nutritional advice.

'Because they don't have the training that registered dietitians and registered nutritionists have, they will often push their own health beliefs, rather than providing advice based on evidence and years of clinical practice.

'Diets are especially attractive when they are promoted by someone we idolize and think has the perfect life.

'We also love results, and we love results even more when they are quick and painless, but the reality is far from this.

'When 'New Year – New You' is advertised, it is often not from a healthy place and is almost always caused by weight loss.

'It can also promote disordered eating, which can easily develop into a clinical eating disorder.

“Many of my clients even cite a fad diet as the start of their eating disorder.”

The BDA asks citizens to 'critically assess' what they watch or read.

It suggests that you should check to see if there are multiple medical studies that support celebrities' claims, rather than just a before and after photo.

Anna Groom, a registered dietitian and BDA spokesperson, said: 'Following bad advice and fad diets that exclude whole food groups can increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies and unbalanced diets.

'Removing carbohydrates for weight loss can reduce overall calorie intake, but also reduces fiber intake, which can have a negative effect on the gut, increasing the risk of constipation, reducing the promotion of healthy gut bacteria and also reducing the B vitamins are reduced, which are important for the release of energy.'

Anna added: 'Always ask yourself what you are looking at. Are they removing an entire food group? Did they recommend a particular superfood? Do they recommend a specific supplement?

'If you are in doubt, seek advice from reliable sources such as the NHS and the BDA, or get help from a registered dietitian.'

Dietitians are the only qualified and regulated health professionals who assess, diagnose and treat diet and nutrition problems, at the individual and wider public health level.

They use the most up-to-date public health and scientific research in nutrition, health and disease, which they translate into practical guidance to enable people to make appropriate lifestyle and nutritional choices.

They work in the NHS, private practice, industry, education, research, sport, media and government.

Their advice influences food and health policy across the spectrum, from government and global industry to local communities and individuals.

It may be possible to get a referral to an NHS dietitian from a GP, while others can be paid for privately.