How to Stop Being Influenced by the Algorithm

Different people have different opinions. Sometimes these opinions are based on scientific research and sometimes they are formed because there is money to be made. The message in this post can be applied to any industry but I’ll stay in my wheelhouse and focus on nutrition. The amount of conflicting information in the nutrition industry is pretty polarising, mainly because it is much more profitable for someone to sell a very niche ‘special’ diet than a boring old balanced, sensible one. With the way social media algorithms work these days, most people are being brainwashed into a certain way of thinking without even knowing it, and it only furthers the confusing arguing over which diet is best, what not to eat, carbs are bad, carbs are good, meat is bad, meat is good etc.

First off, the algorithm. The main goal of any social media platform is to keep people on the platform for as long as possible. How is that achieved? By showing the individual what they want to see. If you search ‘keto diet’ on you tube, you will obviously get suggested videos on the topic. However, the next time you look at your suggested videos without searching for anything there will undoubtedly be a bunch of pro keto videos, so you watch more and that reinforces that that’s what you want to see. You will then be exposed to nothing but pro keto studies, influencers, programs and books which will all disparage the validity of all other diets. Did you just stumble on the holy grail of health? It may feel like it if you get deep enough into the topic — but of course there exists a whole tunnel for vegan, carnivore, juice cleanses, ‘if it fits your macros’, clean eating, metabolic typing, paleo and any other style of eating. This is the issue with algorithms and suggested content — it will funnel you down a specific tunnel if you don’t actively search out the other side of the argument.

So, if you take anything away from this post make it this: There is two sides to every argument. And unfortunately, people frequently misrepresent studies to support their view. There are literal doctors on you tube (usually they are a doctor of psychology, chiropractic or other area unrelated to nutrition) who purposefully misrepresent studies to support their niche eating style. People like this have credibility, and present a very compelling argument, especially when their videos are frequently suggested to people over months and years. An example might be that a study shows vegan people live longer than people who consume animal products — which on the surface may seem pretty cut and dry. The vegan diet is healthier than an omnivorous diet. Unfortunately, correlation does not always equal causation, and usually these results stem from vegans being more likely to also get more exercise, abstain from smoking and/or alcohol, and eat less processed and refined animal products.

Associated data like this requires critical thinking to identify potential limitations. Don’t just take things at face value, and definitely don’t assume something is true just because an influencer on You Tube or Instagram said so — no matter how convincing or qualified they may sound. I even encourage people to question me and the information I put out. I try to be as unbiased as possible but if someone finds contradictory evidence to something I put forward, I would much rather be made aware so I can update my knowledge.

This is probably pretty boring to hear. I know very few people want to put in the work to form a balanced, informed decision on a topic — but that is simply what is required. My advice to anyone who thinks one specific diet or eating approach is the best is to purposefully look up the opposite approach and spend just as much time being exposed to that. An example might be to look up the vegan diet if you are carnivore, or high carb/low fat if you are low carb/high fat. Better yet, actually read the studies that people present in support of these diets and decide for yourself which ones seem more valid. It becomes much clearer over time what holds more weight and what has been overexaggerated to sell a particular diet.

I was going to call this post ‘don’t get brainwashed’, but that would be an inaccurate title. We are constantly being brainwashed; our psychology is designed to be influenced. The best advice I can give in this post is to know what you are being brainwashed by and keep an open mind anyway. Purposefully brainwash yourself with good quality, unbiased information with evidence to back it up — and you will save yourself a whole lot of time and money in the long run. Hope you enjoyed reading. As always you can find me at formativenutrition.net for online nutrition coaching. Have a good one.