Welcome to Next Gen Natural, a column sharing a Gen Z viewpoint on natural health and wellness. I’m Michelle—alive’s Digital Assistant and the creator of the Healthy Num Num food blog. I’m passionate about healthy living and aim to motivate you to incorporate wellness into various aspects of your life, irrespective of your age.
From busy fitness trends to healthy recipes, TikTok serves as a new hotspot for health and wellness inspiration. While much of the content can be entertaining, it’s essential to approach fitness and nutrition advice with caution. Some videos may spread misinformation, which could lead to adverse effects, especially on Gen Z, the app’s largest demographic.
Despite the allure of these health trends, many shared tips lack scientific backing and may be more harmful to your health than beneficial.
01 Dry Scooping Pre-Workout Powder
Popular among athletes and gym enthusiasts, dry scooping refers to taking a scoop of pre-workout powder directly without dissolving it in water. While some believe it allows for quicker energy absorption during workouts, these claims are unsupported by research. This practice poses choking risks and increases the likelihood of inhaling the powder into the lungs and nasal cavity, which could lead to inflammation or infections.
A safer alternative is to mix the powder with 8 to 12 ounces of water for effective energy boosts. Natural energy enhancers like matcha or simply drinking more water can also help reduce fatigue and energize your body for activities.
02 Watching “What I Eat in a Day” Videos
The #WhatIEatInADay hashtag boasts over 17 billion views on TikTok, featuring users documenting their meals, snacks, and drinks throughout a day. The concern with these videos arises from their tendency to start with clips of the user’s body, followed by meals accompanied by portion sizes, calorie counts, and exercise regimens, which can foster unrealistic nutritional expectations. While some seek recipe inspiration, it’s easy to compare your diet with others, potentially leading to unhealthy views on food, considering everyone has different dietary needs and preferences.
For fresh meal inspiration, consider searching different keywords like “balanced plant-based dinners” and “healthy filling snacks,” or explore nutritious recipes on alive.com.
03 Eating Nature’s Cereal for Breakfast
This trendy recipe substitutes conventional cereal with a mix of pomegranate seeds, blueberries, and strawberries, using coconut water in place of milk, with optional mint leaves and ice. However, this combination is better suited as a light snack rather than a substantial meal due to its insufficient amounts of essential nutrients like protein, fiber, and healthy fats, which are crucial for sustaining energy and satiety throughout the day.
To create a more balanced breakfast, incorporate a protein source like Greek yogurt and healthy fats such as hemp or chia seeds.
04 Trying the 75 Hard Challenge
The 75 Hard Challenge is a rigorous program designed to enhance mental and physical health. It includes completing two 45-minute workouts daily, consuming 4.5 liters of water, and reading 10 pages of a nonfiction book every day for 75 days, while adhering to a self-selected diet devoid of alcohol. While participants might see improvements in their eating habits or fitness levels, this challenge is tailored for athletes and may not suit everyone, especially those new to health and wellness.
If you’re still interested in challenging yourself, consider the 75 Soft Challenge, which offers a more realistic approach. This plan focuses on healthy eating, moderate alcohol consumption during social settings, exercising for 45 minutes six days a week with one day for active recovery, drinking three liters of water, and reading 10 pages from any book daily.
05 Drinking Lemon Coffee for Weight Loss
A concoction of black coffee and the juice of half a lemon has emerged on TikTok as a supposed weight loss aid. Despite both coffee and lemons having their own health benefits, there is no credible evidence supporting the idea that mixing them leads to weight loss.
Unless you enjoy the flavor of lemon juice in your coffee, it’s best to savor your morning brew as you normally would. If weight management is your goal, be sure to consult a health professional for personalized advice.
