37. How to Find Joy in Your Food: Reflecting on Influencer Misinformation and Toxic Diet Culture with Brash Nutrition

The Home of Wellbeing and Joy. Welcome to Episode 37: How to Find Joy in Your Food: Reflecting on Influencer Misinformation and Toxic Diet Culture, where Dr Marcus and Charlie sit down with Registered Dietitian James Brash (@BrashNutrition) to unpack why the internet has become a breeding ground for food fear, and how to reclaim a healthy, empowered relationship with what you eat. We start by exploring how diet has become the wellbeing battleground online, and how James’s myth-busting mission aims to cut through the noise. From seed oils to carbs, we break down why people misinterpret research, how influencers use confidence to sell misinformation, and why research associations do not equal clinical outcomes. James brings insight from his work in ICU cardiothoracic care and clinical research, showing us what real evidence looks like and why the wellness machine so often gets it wrong. We talk about intuition, joy, food equity, and the psychology behind why people cling to simple villains instead of embracing nuance. As always, we finish with practical tools to help you eat without fear, rebuild trust in your body, and spot misinformation before it hijacks your wellbeing. In this episode we cover: - Why diet culture has taken over the internet - How food misinformation spreads (and why it’s so convincing) - Seed oils, carbs & why demonising ingredients is misguided - How people misinterpret research, and why association ≠ clinical outcome - The psychological impact of food fear and perfectionism - How to reconnect with joy, intuition, and balance in eating - Red flags and green flags in online nutrition advice - Practical steps to build confidence around food again Practical Advice for Listeners: - Question absolutes: avoid “always/never” food rules - Eat for your body, not the algorithm - Look for evidence, not confidence (research > reels) - Follow people who empower, not fear-monger - Take small, kind steps toward food freedom 📍 Pillars explored: Introspection & Inspiration, Wellbeing & Joy, Presence & Gratitude, and Community & Connection 🔔 Don’t forget to follow and review, it really helps us grow! 📲 Follow us for more: 👉 James' Instagram: @brashnutrition 👉 James' TikTok: @brashnutrition 👉 Instagram: @themoodboosterpodcast 👉 TikTok: @themoodboosterpodcast 🌍 Website: www.themoodbooster.co.uk 🎥 Prefer video? Watch this episode on YouTube! @TheMoodBoosterPodcast