From the rise of the "girl dinner" to videos normalizing gut health issues, social media was full of wellness-related trending topics over the past year. But which ones stuck out to experts as try-worthy trends, and ones are you better off skipping?
We asked a range of experts across nutrition, fitness, mental health and beyond what social media trends stuck out to them this year both for good and bad reasons.
Those they approved of centered around safe and approachable wellness additions while those on their disapproved list focused on videos that lack professional backing or scientific information.
Here are some of the recent trends they highlighted:
Cottage cheese: Try it
Move over charcuterie, the hashtag #CottageCheese stole the spotlight this year with more than 1.3 billion views on TikTok — and the high-protein ingredient is expert approved.
A registered dietician based in New Jersey, Amanda Holtzer, believes that cottage cheese is the top choice when it comes to versatile and protein-rich foods. Despite its previous reputation for texture, cottage cheese is actually an excellent source of protein, with just half a cup of low-fat cottage cheese containing 80 calories and 14 grams of protein.
TikTok users have taken notice of cottage cheese's potential and have been getting creative with it. They have transformed the chunky dairy product into various recipes, such as cottage cheese ice cream and cottage cheese cookie dough, which have garnered millions of views.
TikTok even recognized the cottage cheese trend in its "Year on TikTok 2023" list, stating that the FoodTok community embraced cottage cheese in both sweet and savory dishes for a healthy and protein-rich twist.
Cozy cardio: Try it
A trend called "cozy cardio," which focuses on a more mindful and low-pressure approach to exercise, has gained popularity on TikTok. Created by Hope Zuckerbrow, this trend has accumulated over 15.9 million views on the app.
Morit Summers, a personal trainer and the founder of Form Fitness Brooklyn, approves of the cozy cardio trend and even incorporates it into her own routine.
"People need to move, and if doing it from the comfort of their homes in their cozy clothing and with the lights dimmed, then great!" she says. "Our lives are really stressful and there is no reason for all fitness to also feel that way — for example, going to a gym or a class with bright lights and blaring music. Movement is movement, so whatever movement makes you feel good is the right movement."
Slaying your steps: Try it
2023 was the year walking got a re-brand with trends like 12-3-30 and the "hot girl walk" really taking off.
"12-3-30 is a trend that I think simplifies the idea of getting your daily dose of exercise and is so approachable because all it asks you to do is walk," says Dr. James Wantuck, co-founder and chief medical officer of PlushCare and associate chief medical officer of Accolade. "12% incline at 3mph for 30 minutes on a treadmill is a great way to get your heart racing."
For some, 12-3-30 can be pretty extreme, says Summers, who noted some may get a bigger benefit out of the trend using a lower incline.
"The goal when doing a challenge should be to get through it but also... having built habits, not feeling burnt out," she says.
The "hot girl walk" is another great low to no-incline option that encourages anyone to take time for physical and mental health through an accessible form of fitness.
"Our generation sees walking, or at least did... as not really a valid form of exercise," Mia Lind, the "hot girl walk" creator, previously told CBS News, pointing to running videos or YouTube ab workouts as what she typically saw online. "For some people starting out, (those) can be really scary, and walking is a very accessible form of exercise. You can be at any fitness level to begin (and) it's completely free."
Social media as therapy replacement: Skip it
Using social media as a replacement for a real therapist is a no-go, experts say.
"Mental health is a big deal, and many people are turning to armchair psychologists for advice about how to manage their mental health. This is dangerous and also not effective," Wantuck says. "To really get the help you need, you should find a trusted, trained professional to assist you."
Self-diagnosis: Skip it
Another mental health trend that concerns mental health experts are self-diagnosis and "un-diagnosis" videos posted online that have no professional backing.
Though the self-diagnosis trend has been around for a while, Benjamin Goldman, a licensed mental health counselor, says he has more recently seen the trend transform further.
"Something that is more alarming for me is the rise of un-diagnosis videos, where creators and users will self-diagnose and then basically determine that they are undiagnosed," he says.
While the trend is meant to be humorous, Goldman says users often "dismiss their perceived mental health disorders and use broad diagnostic criteria to invalidate the seriousness of mental illness."
According to Goldman, the way mental health challenges are represented and normalized online can have both positive and negative effects. While it can be helpful in raising awareness and reducing stigma, it can also lead to misinformation and trivialization of mental health disorders.
Goldman warns that when mental health diagnoses are portrayed in a humorous or dismissive manner, it can discourage individuals from seeking professional help. It is important to strike a balance between using humor as a way of educating and discussing mental health, and reinforcing the idea that mental illnesses can be easily overcome or disregarded.
Beware of weight loss misinformation
Social media is filled with false and misleading information, and in recent times, there has been an increase in weight loss misinformation. This is particularly evident in the promotion of drugs like Ozempic.
Wantuck highlights the dangers of relying on unverified information found on platforms like TikTok. From ineffective supplements claiming to be "nature's Ozempic" to exaggerated and fear-inducing side effects like "Ozempic face" and "Ozempic butt," it is crucial to seek trusted information from healthcare professionals before making any decisions or taking any medications.
