If there's one thing the internet loves, it's watching what people eat. For proof, just look to the virality of "what I eat in a day" (WIEIAD) videos. By now you likely know the format: a quick body check [1] subtly implying that the creator's physique is a direct result of their diet. Then come the meticulously prepared meals (all three if you're lucky). Bonus points for an undisclosed greens ad or a small sweet treat for "balance."
Some commenters applaud these videos for being so transparent and honest about food. Others (including registered dietitians) have entire platforms dedicated to calling out disordered eating [2], dangerous calorie deficits [3], and other problematic behavior within these WIEIADs. But is any of this content actually helping anyone? And if not, why are these videos so hard for us to quit?
Experts Featured in This Article
H. Coakley [4], RDN, is an eating disorder dietitian and the owner of Pando Wellness.
Kristin Draayer [5], MS, RDN, is an intuitive eating dietitian and personal trainer.
Are There Any Benefits to WIEIADs?
You know 'em, you might even love 'em, but are WIEIAD videos actually doing us any good? According to H. Coakley, RDN: not really. "The implication I find right under the surface of these videos is basically, 'If you eat this way, you'll look/be/feel like me. And you should follow me for even more tips on how to do that,'" they explain. This line of thinking is also extremely lucrative for many WIEIAD creators, which is rarely acknowledged.
"It often seems that the people filming this type of content already fit within a certain 'ideal' appearance: thin, cis woman, usually white," Coakley adds. That's not to mention the problematic nutritional advice shared within the videos themselves.
Still, while WIEIAD content can certainly be problematic, it's not all bad either. "When shared with transparency and flexibility, these videos help normalize varied eating and occasionally highlight practical approaches or insights to nutrition," says dietitian Kristin Draayer, MS, RDN. These videos might also provide meal inspiration, so long as you approach them with the right mindset. Many WIEIAD videos could be much better if they just emphasized honesty, practicality, and responsible nutrition.
Do WIEIADs Cause More Harm Than Good?
Some might argue that occasional WIEIAD videos can help with meal inspo [6] or motivation. But even if it's fun to watch in the moment, experts say WIEIAD content won't do much for you in the long run. "These videos usually contribute to the same tropes you see in dieting — they tend to feature small portions, low calories, and expensive products that take a lot of time and energy to prepare," Coakley says. "Many of my clients find that watching these videos causes an uptick in their eating disorder thoughts and behaviors."
If your feed is full of WIEIAD videos, you also might notice yourself falling into negative thought patterns like: "I don't eat like that," "I should eat like that," or "If only I ate that way . . ." Coakley adds. This is especially relevant when we consider that many of the people watching WIEIADs may already be insecure or overly focused on their diet.
"Watching these videos causes an uptick in their eating disorder."
These negative effects are seen across the board, even with content that may seem more realistic (from the outside looking in). "Even when intentions are positive, these videos often uphold diet culture and promote restrictive, unrealistic eating norms," Draayer says.
"Whatever the intention of the creator, idealized versions of anything mostly serve to make people feel worse, not better," Coakley adds. "It's not hard to see why many studies are showing a clear link between social media use and the rise of loneliness [7], anxiety, and eating disorders [8] in young adults and teens."
Alternatives to WIEIADs
WIEIADs aren't doing much for us, but that doesn't mean all hope is lost. Here are some expert-approved ideas for talking about nutrition on social media in a more productive way.
- Highlight joy: Food isn't just about fuel. In an effort to move away from the comparison and anxiety sparked by WIEIADs, Draayer suggests "exploring food satisfaction, diverse cultural food experiences, and the joy of eating without judgment."
- Disrupt stigma: What we eat is a vulnerable topic filled with stigma. To offset this, Coakley likes content "that disrupts that stigma, rather than perpetuating it." Think creators with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder [9] who film themselves trying new foods, or people with ADHD talking about the meals they make when feeling overstimulated.
- Nix the body checking: As it stands, body checking on camera is a huge part of many WIEIAD videos. Moving forward, "creators should intentionally disconnect food choices from appearance goals and avoid any form of body checking within food or nutrition content," Draayer says.
- Keep it realistic: The majority of people don't have time to cook three beautifully curated meals a day. Draayer's suggestion? "Offer practical cooking skills and flexible meal-planning ideas that adapt to individual needs." Coakley adds that creators can show themselves actually cooking or feature quick meals with just a few ingredients.
- Let go of strict rules: "Time and time again, I find that people have a more easeful relationship with food when they are able to be gentle with themselves," Coakley says. "When we can pull from videos useful tips that make eating easier or more pleasurable or more varied, I'm all for that. But if it doesn't serve a kinder, more useful, or more expansive view of ourselves and our bodies, it's probably not worth watching."
Chandler Plante [11] (she/her) is a staff writer and producer for PS Fit. She has over six years of industry experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine, a social media manager for Millie magazine, and a contributor for Bustle Digital Group. She has a degree in magazine journalism from Syracuse University and is based in Los Angeles.