17 February 2025

Last week I had Covid. Yes, even if you eat a perfect diet and follow all the recommended lifestyle protocols (I don't!), you can still get sick. As I spent a couple of days hurkle durkling and lazing around on the sofa, I came across Netflix’s new series Apple Cider Vinegar and I couldn't look away. Have you heard of Belle Gibson, the wellness influencer who came to success by faking brain cancer? We know personal stories, social media, and viral content can shape public perception of health and healing - often at the expense of science - but this story was just beyond!

Who would fake cancer to get followers? On top of that, she collected money “for charities” that she kept for herself. But the interesting thing for me is how the story unfolds in a way that makes it seem - while absolutely not justifiable - understandable. Her upbringing, need for attention, circumstances and people around her…all contributed to the terrible lie - a lie that cost some followers their lives. Kaitlyn Dever, as Belle, is such a convincing actor, that even though we know the truth, I still found myself wondering at times.

Why did those around her enable this crime? Did they believe her or did they just want to believe her? It's easy to see how Whole Pantry fans - especially those who have been given no options from their healthcare providers or lost faith in conventional medicine - would turn to an influencer who claims to have beaten cancer. Hope is a powerful motivator, and when someone promises a concrete solution - whether it's an offer to crowd-fund, a restrictive diet or coffee enemas - it’s tempting to believe.

Of course, not everyone in circumstances similar to Belle's builds a fraudulent empire with deadly impact. But a convergence of factors can make that more likely for Belle (or any other individual). I think about the pressures on young people in the “attention industry” and wonder if we are creating an incubator for the next Belle Gibson.

People want certainty when it comes to their health. The influencers portrayed in the show (one actually did have cancer) offered that. In reality, of course, health is more like a bet. You can play the odds for a better chance, but there is no guarantee you'll “win” (thus, my recent illness, although I'd like to believe lifestyle habits helped minimize the suffering).

The science behind nutrition and lifestyle interventions is clear: small, sustainable habits - like eating more plants, moving regularly, managing stress, and getting enough sleep - can significantly improve health outcomes. But these changes take time - which many people with chronic illness don't have - and they aren't foolproof.

The problem with social media healthcare isn't just misinformation; it’s the erosion of trust in real, science-backed health strategies. Influencers can make real nutrition advice seem gimmicky by oversimplifying complex issues, making it harder for experts to cut through the noise. They leave no room for nuance when they present an “easy solution”.

Reclaim Health With Sound Science

It seems to me that the healthcare industry has not been so successful, given rising costs and worse outcomes across the U.S. But wellness is NOT an industry (or at least it shouldn't be). As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, I have a responsibility to present honest, compassionate, and realistic strategies for better health. That means:

• Acknowledging uncertainty. There are no magic bullets, only probabilities.
• Emphasizing progress over perfection. Small, consistent steps matter more than extreme measures.
• Teaching media literacy. Not all wellness advice is created equal—who is behind the message, and what are they selling?

Health isn’t about finding the one thing that works. It’s about building a lifestyle that supports your personal long-term vitality.

Wellness Is a Journey, Not a Hack

Here’s what I tell my clients: There is no one-size-fits-all answer to health. While lifestyle changes can reduce risk factors and improve quality of life, they are part of a bigger picture that includes genetics, environment, socioeconomic status, access to care, and other things that we may not even be aware of yet. And we don't have all the answers - in fact, we never will.

The good news? Healthy lifestyle habits do work. They may not be flashy, but they are powerful. Eating more whole, plant-based foods, improving sleep, managing stress, and engaging in joyful movement won’t guarantee a disease-free life…but they can improve energy, mood, and long-term health outcomes.

Was Belle a predator, victim or both? What are your thoughts on the influence of social media wellness trends? Have you ever tried a wellness hack that worked…or didn’t?