Scroll through TikTok or Instagram for a few minutes and you are likely to come across a #WhatIEatInADay video. These clips often show a full day of eating, presented as a way to maintain a certain body shape or lifestyle.
While these videos can seem simple and relatable, they do not always reflect individual nutritional needs. In clinical practice, some patients who follow such diets may develop symptoms such as bloating, abdominal discomfort or irregular bowel movements.
Before making changes based on what you see online, it is helpful to understand how these trends may affect your digestive health and whether they are suitable for you.
The Appeal of the #WhatIAteInADay Trend
At first glance, #WhatIEatInADay videos make nutrition look straightforward. A full day of meals is condensed into a short, easy-to-follow format, giving the impression that achieving a certain body shape or lifestyle is simply a matter of copying what is shown.
However, these snapshots often leave out important context. Factors such as portion sizes, medical history, activity levels and digestive tolerance are rarely discussed, yet they play a significant role in how your body responds to food.
Considering Who is Giving the Advice
Many #WhatIEatInADay videos are created by individuals sharing their personal routines rather than providing clinical guidance. While some may have an interest in nutrition or wellness, they are not always trained or accredited to offer dietary advice.
This also applies to “wellness influencers” or “health coaches”, where qualifications and training can vary widely. In Singapore, there is no single regulatory requirement that determines who can share general nutrition advice online.
As a result, the recommendations you see, such as restrictive eating patterns, elimination of certain food groups or highly specific diet routines, may not take into account individual factors like your medical history, nutritional needs or digestive health.
Understanding Why One Approach to Eating May Not Suit Everyone
Nutrition is rarely one-size-fits-all; What promotes digestive balance for one person may trigger bloating, discomfort or flare-ups in another.
How your body responds to a particular way of eating depends on multiple factors, including:
- Your existing gut microbiome composition
- Whether you have diagnosed or undiagnosed digestive conditions such as IBS and GERD
- Your age, gender, and hormonal profile
- Stress levels and sleep quality, both of which play a significant role in gut function
- Medications and supplements you are taking
- Ethnicity and genetic predispositions to certain food intolerances
- Your broader medical history and past digestive health
In short, dietary advice that works well for someone may not only be ineffective for you but also counterproductive.
Common Diet Trends That Can Harm Your Gut
Below are examples of commonly shared TikTok diet trends, along with considerations for digestive health:
Extreme Elimination Diets
Cutting out entire food groups such as gluten, dairy or grains should only be done if clinically indicated by a gastrointestinal specialist.
Removing them without proper assessment can increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies, alter the balance of beneficial gut bacteria and, in some cases, aggravate the very symptoms you were trying to relieve.
For individuals with conditions such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), unsupervised elimination diets can be especially destabilising.
“Gut Cleanse” and Detox Protocols
The body already has highly efficient systems that process and eliminate waste without the need for extreme interventions.
Unsupervised protocols that involve prolonged fasting, laxative teas or very low-calorie juice regimens may disrupt electrolyte balance, irritate the intestinal lining and alter normal bowel function.
In susceptible individuals, such practices can also trigger or exacerbate conditions such as acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease.
High-Fibre “FibreMaxxing”
Fibre is generally beneficial, but dramatically increasing your fibre intake overnight can cause significant bloating, gas and abdominal cramping.
This is especially problematic for individuals who do not yet know they have IBS or other functional gut disorders. A sudden flood of high-FODMAP foods can also trigger significant distress in a sensitive gut.
Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent fasting has been studied in the context of weight management. However, it may not be suitable for everyone.
For individuals with acid reflux or GERD, long fasting periods may worsen symptoms. Those with a history of disordered eating may also find restrictive eating patterns challenging. Individual assessment is important before adopting such approaches.
Seek Appropriate Advice Before Making Dietary Changes
Changing your diet based on what you see online can seem straightforward, but your digestive system may respond differently:
What works well for someone else may not always suit your body, especially if there are underlying sensitivities or conditions.
If you have noticed symptoms such as bloating, abdominal discomfort, heartburn or changes in your bowel habits, it may be helpful to have them assessed rather than trying to manage them on your own.
A proper evaluation can help clarify what is causing your symptoms and guide you towards a more suitable approach.
At Richmond Gastroenterology Centre, we assess and manage a range of digestive and gastrointestinal conditions using established clinical methods. If you have concerns about your digestive health, contact our clinic to arrange a consultation
References:
1. Lange, M. G., Coffey, A. A., Coleman, P. C., Barber, T. M., Van Rens, T., Oyebode, O., Abbott, S., & Hanson, P. (2024). Metabolic changes with intermittent fasting. Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association, 37(1), 256–269. https://doi.org/10.1111/jhn.13253
“Singapore’s nutrition surveys show a growing disconnect between health awareness and actual eating habits — while 93% of Singaporeans know diet affects long-term health, 46% still admit they do not eat healthily most of the time, highlighting the impact of modern food and diet trends.”Nutrition Survery Report – Singapore
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