What I Eat In A Day Posts... Do they Hinder or Help?
- Inside n' Out Health
- Oct 9
- 3 min read
Firstly, what are “what I eat in a day” posts anyway?
These are social media posts or videos where a person — often an influencer shares the foods and meals they eat in a ‘typical’ day ( or just that day for likes & clicks).
They can include calorie or macro breakdowns, meal inspiration, or personal eating habits.
BUT... they may not be quite what they seem...
But it’s just for Inspiration, right?
We get it — seeing someone’s meals can be fun and even inspirational...
But here’s the thing: most of these posts show highly curated meals & brilliant lighting.
With absolutely zero context around:
– Medical needs
– Activity level
– Mental health
– Disordered eating history
– Cultural food norms
– Budget or time constraints
– If the person’s eating enough
– Underlying health issues
Nutrition Isn’t Copy-Paste. Your body’s needs ≠ their body’s needs.
Everybody is different - Seriously. Biologically, psychologically, emotionally and socially.
• What works for one person could leave another undernourished
• Some people need more carbs, more fat, more protein — or just more food in general
• Hunger cues, hormones, digestion — it’s all individual
Example - Even two people with the same height/weight will have very different dietary requirements and daily needs.
“What I Eat” content can quietly trigger:
• Food comparison
• Thoughts of guilt & shame around eating “too much”
• Unrealistic ideas of what “healthy” looks like, and potential food restriction practices. • Masked disordered eating under “wellness”
• Pressure to eat a certain way and purchase certain foods and expensive tonic blends!
And the big one… The Comparison Trap - These posts can make you feel like:
– You’re eating too much
– Or not the “right” foods
– Or that health looks like almond butter and the right camera angles.
It’s Not the Whole Picture - just really a snippet.
What you don’t see in these posts:
• Second helpings
• Snacks off-camera
• Emotional eating moments
• The creator's relationship with food or thoughts around food.
• Digestive issues, cravings, real-life occurrences
You’re watching someone else’s highlight reel and may be comparing yourself while trying to achieve what they are with your daily food intake.
“What I eat” = curated content, not a nutritional framework.
How many influencers post the snack they eat standing over the sink at 10 PM? Or the lunch that was just a pack of chips and a cold cup of coffee?
So What’s More Helpful?
Instead of copying someone’s day of eating, try this...
Learn to tune into your own hunger and fullness signals, plus honouring hunger without overthinking it.
Eating enough to fuel YOUR days – to bridge the gap between meals and keep you satisfied!
Know that your meals don’t need to be glamorous and fancy (unless you want that), just aim for consistency in meals - fibre, protein, carbs and fats!
Focus on regular meal patterns, not perfection.
Eat in a way that supports your energy, mood, and life.
Work with a professional if you need assistance and guidance in this area ( Hello, I’m here to help)
A reminder that food = connection, culture, joy, fun, nourishing and good for the soul!
Bottom Line & Takeaway... You don’t need to eat like an influencer to be healthy. You need to eat like you. And what that looks like may change every single day due to ... LIFE.
So the next time you see a “What I Eat in a Day” post, please scroll with.
Curiosity over comparison
Flexibility over rules
Nourishment over aesthetics
To aid in building a healthy relationship with food.
Stacey.