-There is not a single section of our life that is not affected by social media in this digital age and food is no different in this case. Food vlogging has become extremely popular and some food vloggers even buy Instagram followers to give a push to their online visibility.
If you are scrolling through TikTok Videos, Instagram reels, and YouTube shorts, it is nearly impossible for you not to come across any tempting food vlog.
As per a study, young people when exposed to vloggers who promote sugary and fatty snacks ate 26% more calories than others who were not exposed to such food vlogs.
In this blog, we are going to analyze the impact of social media on the food habits of young people along with strategies to maintain a positive relationship with food trends on social media.
Various Impacts of Social Media Food Trends on Young People
With the increased use of social media amongst the young generation, food trends on social media have shown a significant impact. Let’s analyze how:
- Impact on Eating Habits
Using social media, young people get exposed to a wide variety of cuisines and cooking techniques. This can influence them both positively and negatively.
On the one hand, this exposure can lead to increased interest in home cooking and healthy eating practices. This can motivate them to replicate the yummy and diverse dishes they see online.
On the other hand, these trends sometimes promote unrealistic and unhealthy patterns. At times, they promote extreme diets and overeating challenges.
Some young minds get influenced by them which leads to negative health outcomes. At times, there is peer pressure to try trendy, calorie-dense foods. This leads to the disruption of balanced eating habits.
- Body Image and Self-Esteem Impact
On social media, you find a lot of influencers who showcase idealized body types and dietary habits. Also, there are food vloggers who seem to eat a lot of junk and still have an attractive physique.
This can act as a motivation as well but at the same time it can significantly impact young people’s body image and self-esteem. At times, it feels like everybody in the world is fit except you.
A constant pressure develops in the minds of young people when they constantly see images of fit and attractive influencers following strict diets. This ruthless comparison culture often leads to dissatisfaction with one’s own body and lower self-esteem.
The promotion of restrictive diets and clean “eating trends” can often contribute to the development of eating disorders.
- Social and Cultural Impact
Social media deserves a lot of credit for introducing us to diverse cuisines and culinary traditions worldwide.
There is no denying the fact that social media food trends foster cultural exchange and fusion by exposing young people to food around the globe.
These trends often influence social dynamics by linking food choices to online identity and social status.
On the positive side, sharing trendy food experiences and engaging with popular food influencers can create a sense of community and belonging for young people.
On the other hand, the pressure to post visually appealing and extravagant food can lead to social validation pressure.
Individuals, especially those in their teenage years may feel compelled to participate in these trends to gain approval and recognition from their friends.
It is safe to say that social media food trends play a significant role in shaping cultural experiences and social interactions among young people.
- Economic Impact
You would be surprised to know that social media food trends have a notable economic impact, especially on young consumers. Young people are influenced by visually appealing images on their social media feeds.
This makes them more likely to spend on trendy food items, kitchen gadgets, and meal kits promoted by food influencers. This boosts the sales of the brands that capitalize on these trends.
It is no secret that food influencers and bloggers often collaborate with brands and promote their products amongst their followers. This enhances the visibility and credibility of that particular brand.
The rise of “Instagrammable” food culture has led to the opening of restaurants and cafes designed to attract social media attention.
The economic pressure to keep up with food trends can strain personal finances, leading to overspending on non-essential items.
- Mental Health Impact
Often social media food trends create pressure to conform to idealized standards leading to anxiety and stress. On social media, there are unrealistic portrayals of food and body image.
Pursuing social validation through likes and comments on food posts can further strain mental well-being. It is important for young people to be constantly reminded that not all they see on social media is true and ideal.
Strategies for Positive Engagement with Social Media Food Trends
It is important for young people to constantly check the nature of their interactions with social media food trends. Let’s discuss some strategies for a healthy relationship with social media food trends:
Education and Awareness
It is important for young people to be educated and aware of the reality of social media food trends so that they understand where to draw the line:
- Teach young people to analyze the sources and motivations behind food content. Highlight the difference between sponsored posts and genuine recommendations.
- Encourage skepticism towards extreme diets and trends that lack scientific backing.
- Provide resources and education on balanced diets and the importance of nutrients.
- Schools and parents can collaborate to teach young people how to discern healthy eating practices from fad diets.
Balanced Approach
Motivate young people to have a balance between the real and reel life in the following ways:
- Encourage a focus on enjoying food rather than adhering to trends. Emphasize the importance of listening to one’s body and personal needs.
- Highlight the value of cooking and eating as a social, enjoyable activity rather than just a trend.
- Promote balance in all things, including diet and social media consumption.
- Encourage regular breaks from social media to avoid the constant pressure to keep up with trends.
Conclusion
Always remember that it is our duty to constantly remind young people and ourselves that life is more than what you see on social media trends. Don’t let your life revolve around posting everything you eat on social media in an aesthetic manner. Sometimes, it’s just about enjoying the food without flexing it on social media.
