Send us a text

In this thought-provoking episode of The ANEW Insight Podcast, Dr. Supatra Tovar welcomes Dr. Tatyana El-Kour, Senior Research Fellow in Psychology and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, for an eye-opening exploration of how media, technology, and artificial intelligence are reshaping our eating behaviors, body image, and health beliefs.

Dr. El-Kour—whose groundbreaking research spans over 25 years and 100 scholarly publications—unpacks how digital culture and diet culture are colliding to create confusion, shame, and misinformation in today’s wellness landscape. Together, Dr. Tovar and Dr. El-Kour trace the global evolution of food narratives—from cultural traditions to modern marketing—and reveal how social media algorithms now influence what, when, and how we eat.

They examine viral diet trends like intermittent fasting, protein obsession, and GLP-1 weight loss drugs, exposing how the absence of scientific nuance online leads to distorted health behaviors. Dr. El-Kour explains how AI-driven feeds reward emotional highs rather than evidence-based caution, turning misinformation into the new normal. From “food pornography” videos to TikTok self-diagnosis trends, this episode reveals how entertainment-driven nutrition content is reshaping youth perceptions of health and body image.

Listeners will gain practical, compassionate insight into how to reclaim autonomy over their digital diets. Dr. El-Kour emphasizes cultural context and critical thinking as antidotes to the algorithmic chaos—reminding us that food is never just about nutrients; it’s narrative.

Whether you’re a parent worried about your teen’s social media use, a clinician navigating the digital health frontier, or someone seeking peace with food in a hyperconnected world, this episode offers both wisdom and tools to build awareness, resilience, and balance in the face of digital influence.

🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How AI and algorithms shape eating behavior and body image
• The psychology behind “food pornography” and performative eating
• Why self-diagnosis trends on TikTok endanger youth mental health
• How intermittent fasting and protein marketing are misrepresented online
• The importance of cultural context in global nutrition messaging
• Strategies for media literacy, digital resilience, and mindful consumption
  

⏱ Timestamps
0:00 – Introduction & Dr. El-Kour’s background
3:00 – How media and culture shape food narratives
6:00 – The rise of intermittent fasting and its hidden risks
9:00 – Protein marketing, industry profit, and misinformation
13:00 – AI algorithms and the distortion of eating norms
18:00 – Food as performance: the psychology of “food porn”
22:00 – Protecting youth from self-diagnosis and disordered eating
27:00 – Practical tools for digital literacy and emotional awareness

📚 Continue Your Journey
📖 Read Deprogram Diet Culture →

Thank you for joining us on this journey to wellness. Remember, the insights and advice shared on the ANEW Body Insight Podcast are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before making any changes to your health routine. To learn more about the podcast and stay updated on new episodes, visit ANEW Body Insight Podcast at anew-insight.com. To watch this episode on YouTube, visit @my.anew.insight. Follow us on social media at @my.anew.insight on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Threads for more updates and insights. Thank you for tuning in! Stay connected with us for more empowering stories and expert guidance. Until next time, stay well and keep evolving with ANEW Body Insight!