TikTok's "what I eat in a day" trend has become a dominant feature of the platform, with the hashtag #whatieatinaday attracting billions of views and 2.3 million posts. The videos, which see users document their daily food intake, have been criticised for promoting diet culture and fostering unhealthy comparisons.
The format is simple and easily replicable, leading creators from various niches to take part. Some videos focus on obsessively healthy eating, while others show takeaways or junk food. Despite their variety, the videos often prompt viewers to monitor and judge both their own eating habits and those of others, a phenomenon the original article describes as becoming the "food police".
Personal trainer Laura Ghiacy, who creates reaction videos to challenge toxic messaging in such content, shared her own experience. She began dieting at age eight, which led to decades of disordered eating. She now aims to help others question what they see and avoid similar paths, stating that her goal is to "cut through the noise" and expose problematic messages.
Concerns about the trend are supported by data. According to 2023 figures from Statista, 63% of TikTok users are between 18 and 34, an age group considered particularly vulnerable to eating disorders. Additionally, a 2020 study found a significant link between social media use and disordered eating among middle school students, indicating that effects may begin early.
Dr Charlotte Markey, a leading researcher in body image, was consulted for the original article, though her specific comments were not detailed. The trend highlights broader questions about the impact of social media on food relationships and mental health.
