Is Healthy #FoodPorn Ruining Your New Year's Resolution?
With the beginning of a New Year upon us once again we are met with an annual influx of dieting apps and New Year's resolution humour.
We've seen a rise in "healthy" #FoodPorn on our social media accounts recently. But is it actually helping us stick to our resolutions, or is it ruining the way we eat altogether?
#FoodPorn is one of the most used hashtags on Instagram, the phenomenon of "eating & tweeting" is seen all of the time, but I'm starting to think this trend could be more damaging than we think.
When #FoodPorn began it was "cool" to upload the biggest, baddest burgers, the gooiest cheese balls and the most calorific, Godzilla sized meals that you have ever seen. Of course, this wasn't good. But it wasn't making people feel crap for eating crap. If anything, it was saying it's okay to indulge every once in a while.
By the end of 2015 (the year of the avocado) and now more than ever, we are seeing "healthy" food porn everywhere. Since midnight struck on January 1st 2016, I have seen enough lentil burgers and glorified fruit salads to last me a life time.
Perhaps vulnerable, young minds on social media could be persuaded by these photos to see deliciousness in healthy meals? It might also help people find variety in healthy eating and be tempted to give it a go. Which is all great! Right?
So what's my concern?
Social media is now surrounding us with constant reminders that we probably should be eating green salads and power bars, instead of an innocent sandwich for lunch. People who don't want to/need to diet are feeling bad for not eating only the healthiest food, 24/7.
"Attractive people" upload photos of "attractive/healthy food" and are deemed better looking, for eating healthy and "taking care of themselves" better than the rest of us. "Here is my great body and here is how I got it," is basically what they're saying and it's not true. Did they post a sweaty photo of their 3 hour workout? Probably not.
Using loaded terms like "CleanFood" and "CleanEating" implies that the rest of us who don't eat avocado on toast for breakfast are eating dirty? What does that even mean?
What's worse is, a lot of these so called "healthy" recipes aren't even that healthy. If you see "gluten-free," that doesn't mean healthy. It means it has no gluten in it. If you suffer from coeliac disease, that's great. But if you haven't got a diagnosed allergy to wheat and gluten, you're probably cutting it out unnecessarily and consequently missing some vital whole grains.
Besides, just because something has no gluten in, doesn't mean it isn't packed with sugar or fat.
There is no harm in thinking about what you put in your body, but I do have concerns about this as a social media trend.
The sexualisation of food and what not, is fun!
Making people look at something as basic as food/energy through an edited lens and treating it like a fashion trend, is not. It could encourage obsessive behaviour about food which we all know can be a dangerous and rocky road to embark on.
Don't be fooled into thinking that a prawn salad with a lemon tea got that Instagram model her figure. A rigorous exercise routine did. You're more than welcome to take inspiration from accounts like this but it's more important you eat what you need and when your body requires it. Social media doesn't know how your individual body works, only you do.
Megan is a country girl who moved to the city with some big dreams. She is studying her MA in Creative Writing whilst also managing an American Football Team. She loves her blog and wants nothing more than to have her words read. That and to win the Championship, obviously. Follow her @MeganAtSMF
We've seen a rise in "healthy" #FoodPorn on our social media accounts recently. But is it actually helping us stick to our resolutions, or is it ruining the way we eat altogether?
 |
beachbodyimages
|
When #FoodPorn began it was "cool" to upload the biggest, baddest burgers, the gooiest cheese balls and the most calorific, Godzilla sized meals that you have ever seen. Of course, this wasn't good. But it wasn't making people feel crap for eating crap. If anything, it was saying it's okay to indulge every once in a while.
 |
http://45.media.tumblr.com/
|
By the end of 2015 (the year of the avocado) and now more than ever, we are seeing "healthy" food porn everywhere. Since midnight struck on January 1st 2016, I have seen enough lentil burgers and glorified fruit salads to last me a life time.
 |
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com
|
Perhaps vulnerable, young minds on social media could be persuaded by these photos to see deliciousness in healthy meals? It might also help people find variety in healthy eating and be tempted to give it a go. Which is all great! Right?
So what's my concern?
Social media is now surrounding us with constant reminders that we probably should be eating green salads and power bars, instead of an innocent sandwich for lunch. People who don't want to/need to diet are feeling bad for not eating only the healthiest food, 24/7.
"Attractive people" upload photos of "attractive/healthy food" and are deemed better looking, for eating healthy and "taking care of themselves" better than the rest of us. "Here is my great body and here is how I got it," is basically what they're saying and it's not true. Did they post a sweaty photo of their 3 hour workout? Probably not.
 |
https://blog.ink361.com/
|
Using loaded terms like "CleanFood" and "CleanEating" implies that the rest of us who don't eat avocado on toast for breakfast are eating dirty? What does that even mean?
What's worse is, a lot of these so called "healthy" recipes aren't even that healthy. If you see "gluten-free," that doesn't mean healthy. It means it has no gluten in it. If you suffer from coeliac disease, that's great. But if you haven't got a diagnosed allergy to wheat and gluten, you're probably cutting it out unnecessarily and consequently missing some vital whole grains.
Besides, just because something has no gluten in, doesn't mean it isn't packed with sugar or fat.
There is no harm in thinking about what you put in your body, but I do have concerns about this as a social media trend.
The sexualisation of food and what not, is fun!
Making people look at something as basic as food/energy through an edited lens and treating it like a fashion trend, is not. It could encourage obsessive behaviour about food which we all know can be a dangerous and rocky road to embark on.
Don't be fooled into thinking that a prawn salad with a lemon tea got that Instagram model her figure. A rigorous exercise routine did. You're more than welcome to take inspiration from accounts like this but it's more important you eat what you need and when your body requires it. Social media doesn't know how your individual body works, only you do.
Megan Herdson
Megan is a country girl who moved to the city with some big dreams. She is studying her MA in Creative Writing whilst also managing an American Football Team. She loves her blog and wants nothing more than to have her words read. That and to win the Championship, obviously. Follow her @MeganAtSMF
Contact us on Twitter, on Facebook, or leave your comments below. To find out about social media training or management why not take a look at our website for more info http://socialmediacambridge.co.uk/.
Is Healthy #FoodPorn Ruining Your New Year's Resolution?
Reviewed by Unknown
on
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Rating:
Reviewed by Unknown
on
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Rating:
Unknown
Keeping you up to date on social media, digital marketing, apps, news & reviews. Social media, and digital marketing as a whole, are rapidly and constantly changing, adapting to new developments at an ever increasing rate. Just keeping up to date can be a nightmare. Our team of writers know their field, and keep an ear to the ground. We aim to keep you informed of all recent developments in the online world, and teach you a little something along the way. So whether you just want to stay connected, or gain some knowledge for yourself, the Social Songbird will keep on singing! More articles are posted every day so keep checking back! Join the discussion on Twitter - #SocialSongbird Or contact us directly - @SocialSongbird_
Entrepreneur, international speaker on Social Media Marketing. First one in the UK to write and speak in conferences about Twitter as a marketing tool. Consultant to Corporate Companies, Government Organizations, Marketing Managers and Business Owners.
Aspiring novelist with a passion for fantasy and crime thrillers. He hopes to one day drop that 'aspiring' prefix. He started as a writer and soon after he was made Executive Editor and Manager of the team at Social Songbird. A position he held for 5 years.
Adrienne is a passionate writer with experience in editing, content creation, and social media marketing. She’s a lover of animals, helping others improve their writing, and 2000s pop culture.
Musician, audio technician, professional tutor and a Cambridge university English student. Interested in writing, politics and obsessed with reading.
Recently graduated with a BA in English Literature from the University of Exeter, and he is about to study an MA in Journalism at the University of Sheffield. He is an aspiring journalist and novelist; in his free time he enjoys playing chess, listening to music and taking long walks through nature.
Lucy is an undergraduate BSc Politics and International Relations student at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Anna Coopey is a 4th year UG student in Classics at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. She is a keen writer and researcher on a number of topics, varying from Modern Greek literature to revolutionary theory.
Ellie is a recent BA English Literature graduate and aspiring publisher with a passion for writing. Her favourite pastimes include reading and shopping.