Cebu City – In today’s modern era, information is widely available everywhere, not only exclusive in local newspapers, radio and TV stations but is now broadly available on the internet, with an extensive scope on different social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok. These social media outlets don’t only influence the way we think and communicate, it also impacts our perspective on food and eating.

Technology is now a reality we can’t escape, but lucky enough for us, information at present can be accessed and found everywhere, not limiting our resources to hard bounds and book binds. As we are already shifting to this new age, Nutrition Promotion will be made easier boosting it online, since almost everyone is already using the internet. Information dissemination is made easier, allowing for greater reach of target audience.

However, the ultimate challenge when using social media is the “how” – how to make use of the medium while creating a healthy and encouraging space and not the other way around. Since it’s a free space where one can easily express and type in their thoughts and commentaries, it’s important to verify which information holds truth and those that spread misinformation.

Nutrition information is a lot on the internet nowadays, and although they are deemed to be informative, sometimes it could make the readers feel very overwhelmed unless they know how to filter credible nutrition data from myths and exaggerations. As an internet user, it is your responsibility to know which of this information have reliable sources. Most of these are denoted and are always supported by sound claims from Nutrition and Dietetics professionals, verifying their education, credentials, and licenses. Another way to debunk myths is to check if articles provoke extreme emotions to the reader, which most likely signifies that the information would be too good to be true.

The influence that social media brings to the field of Nutrition is massive and if used in the right way, could lead to greater things that can bring light to both Global and National issues that surround Nutrition.  // DMO II Patricia B. Dalan, RND