This is what I see a lot of people getting wrong about nutrition. And unfortunately, it can have some very serious consequences.

We’re constantly absorbing nutrition information, especially if your social media algorithm has figured out you’re interested in nourishing your body with healthy food! And usually that leads you down a rabbit hole about some specific nutrient or ingredient that’s supposedly the thing “making everyone sick”.

So suddenly, you’re concerned about seed oils and high fructose corn syrup and food dye and fluoride when you’re not even eating enough servings of vegetables each day.

Or exercising regularly.

Or preparing most of your meals at home.

And I’m not saying I blame you, there’s so much fear mongering around these things that it’s easy to fixate on it, especially during times of uncertainty. I would be lying if I said I haven’t given my bottle of sesame oil the side eye after being bombarded with TikToks telling me what seed oils to avoid.

But it’s 2025, and if you’re like me, you love this time of year because of the energy of change, new beginnings, and reforming your habits.

But I’m urging you to focus on tried and true nutrition principles before you start freaking out over seed oils. Why? Because these are the things that will make the biggest difference with your health.

If you’re paralyzed by fear of certain ingredients, making changes is going to feel incredibly overwhelming. And THAT is when I see people stuck for years at a time NOT practicing a healthy lifestyle, because they feel like, “What’s the point?”

Eat more vegetables, and plants in general.

Exercise regularly, get fresh air if you can.

Eat less ultra processed foods and cook more at home.

Eat REGULARLY.

Practice good sleep hygiene.

And if you’re GENUINELY doing this all consistently and your health is still suffering in one way or another, then maybe it’s time to get into the nitty gritty details.

But even then, it’s probably not the seed oils.

As a dietitian, I believe food is powerful. But at the end of the day, it’s not going to be ONE small detail that transforms your health - it’s a collective of small habits and patterns that will make the biggest difference.

So if you catch yourself worrying, take a deep breath. Slow down, and start taking small, actionable steps toward a healthier lifestyle.

Stop Freaking Out About Seed Oils + Think On This Instead