If you’ve spent any time on TikTok, you’re probably familiar with the platform’s tendency to serve up videos offering life hacks and quick tips. But, as with many things on the internet, not everything you see on TikTok is as it seems. In fact, some of the most popular TikTok hacks can actually be misleading or downright dangerous. TikTok is full of tempting hacks that promise to help you achieve your ideal body weight.
However, not all of these hacks are as effective or as safe as they seem. In fact, some of them can be downright misleading and potentially harmful to your health., it’s important to be able to distinguish between legitimate advice and trendy fads that could potentially do more harm than good. We’ll take a closer look at what makes these hacks so appealing, why they’re problematic, and what you can do to avoid falling for them.
1. What I Eat in a Day
These are very popular Tik Toks where influencers create a daily vlog showing what they eat. Usually, these videos are made by women with thin and small bodies. Whilst these videos seem harmless, little do we realize that these videos can negatively impact mental health and, in some cases, may trigger eating disorders.
People believe that if they copy what their favorite influencer is eating, they will also have similar bodies, which is never the case.
We must realize that every person is different and may respond to the same foods differently. Such videos may compel people to start making comparisons of themselves with the influencers causing low self-esteem and low confidence.
These videos can be highly misleading, and I will remind you that they might not be true either.
2. Coffee and Lemon Drink for Weight Loss
Tik Toks on this drink refer to it as a magic drink with quick weight loss. Most of the Tick Toks are showing before and after pictures where in one, they have a bulging belly, and in the next, they have a flat belly after having this drink. Coffee has antioxidants and boosts energy levels, and lemon is rich in vitamin C, but none of them will help to lose weight. Their combination will also not make you lose weight.
You will only lose weight by making lifestyle changes.
Creating a calorie deficit but also regulating your sleep, controlling stress levels, including physical activities, and considering several environmental factors. The combination of all these determinants will help you lose weight.
3. IV Drips for Weight Loss
These tik-toks are extremely disturbing and essentially should be banned. The sad part is that Tik Toks are being made by dietitians and dermatologists, which can be highly misleading for people. IV drips can be life-saving for acutely unwell people.
However, if you are well and using these for weight loss, your body is at extreme risk. IV route is only used when NO option is left after assessments and blood tests. It can put you at extreme infection risk, blood clots in the vein, burns, and blisters. For IV fluids, 5 Rs must be considered, resuscitation, routine maintenance, replacement, redistribution, and reassessment. It surprises me how these Tik Tokers fool people into something so dangerous.
So next time you spot a Tik Tok hack that seems too good to be true. Believe us, it is … too good to be true!
Disclaimer: This is general public information. Does not substitute any medical or dietary advice from your health care professionals.
The information in this article was provided by Fareeha Jay. She is a Registered Dietician based in Plymouth. She is working as a Diabetes specialist, delivering educational sessions to people newly diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. She also runs her private practice. Her work entails online consultations with South Asians all over the world. If you wish to view her work, below are the links to her social media handles;
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dietitian_fareehajay/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FareehaJay
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSXc-Vg8wc2SdY8Jh7TK45A
