The influencers behind the ‘food is medicine’ movement
What if the real health revolution isn’t happening in a doctor’s office but right in the produce aisle?
More than ever, families are connecting what they eat with how they feel. Food is medicine has gone from a catchy phrase to a full-blown movement. Parents are looking at food labels differently, kids are learning what nutrients do for their bodies, and produce is finally getting its main-character moment.
At Healthy Family Project, we’ve seen this shift happen up close. At the center of it all are the registered dietitians — the calm, credible, real-life experts who help families make sense of what’s actually good for them.
When Expertise Meets Everyday Life
Our registered dietitians are the heartbeat of what we do. They help families see that healthy eating isn’t about being perfect. It’s about making one small, good choice at a time.
One of my favorite programs we run is called Food Rx. It brings our food is medicine philosophy to life in a way families can actually use. Together with our own registered dietitian, Julie Lopez, we share kid-friendly recipes and simple nutrition tips that show how food really can make a difference in how you feel.
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Julie has this way of making nutrition make sense. She can explain gut health without anyone’s eyes glazing over. She connects produce to everyday moments, like how berries can support brain power or how citrus can keep the family healthy during cold season. She makes food feel powerful but never complicated.
That’s what registered dietitians do best. They make healthy eating feel realistic. They meet people where they are, in grocery stores, in lunch boxes and lately, all over social media.
The Social Media Takeover
Let’s be honest. The internet is wild when it comes to food advice. One influencer is blending butter into coffee. Another is saying fruit has too much sugar. Meanwhile, the rest of us are just trying to figure out what’s for dinner.
That’s why registered dietitians are winning online. They’ve become the go-to voices families can actually trust. They’re showing up on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube with grocery hauls, myth-busting videos and snack ideas that make sense for real life.
They aren’t shouting. They aren’t pushing products nobody needs. They’re teaching, calming the chaos and reminding people that fruits and vegetables are still the original superfoods.
Consumers may scroll past a hundred flashy ads, but when a registered dietitian talks about the power of produce, they stop and listen. It’s not marketing, it’s mentorship.
Dietitians as the New Brand Ambassadors
For produce marketers, this is the sweet spot. Dietitians are natural brand ambassadors for better-for-you companies because they combine credibility with authenticity. They understand how to talk about health without making it feel preachy.
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We’ve seen it firsthand at Healthy Family Project. When our RDs share how produce fuels energy, boosts mood or supports family wellness, it connects in a genuine way. It moves the needle not because it’s sponsored but because it’s trusted.
That trust can’t be faked. It’s earned, and it’s exactly what our industry needs right now.
The Rise of the RD Influencer
Scroll through your feed and you’ll see it. The new wave of influencers isn’t just showing off recipes. They’re breaking down the science behind them. They’re talking about balance, mental health and how food impacts every part of life.
Registered dietitians are building loyal audiences because they’re honest. They talk about eating dessert. They talk about not getting it right every day. They remind people that health isn’t about perfection, it’s about consistency.
That authenticity is reshaping how families view healthy eating. Dietitians are no longer just behind the scenes; they’re front-and-center. They’re leading conversations, collaborating with brands and showing that produce is more than just a side dish.
Looking Ahead
The produce industry is built on trust. We grow, sell and promote food that helps people live better lives. That’s exactly what registered dietitians do too. When we work together, we don’t just market fruits and vegetables, we give people reasons to believe in them.
As food is medicine keeps growing, I believe dietitians will continue to shape how we tell the story of produce. They’re not just part of the conversation anymore. They are driving it.
At Healthy Family Project, we’ll keep leaning into this partnership because it works. Families trust dietitians, and dietitians trust produce. That’s the kind of connection that changes behavior, one grocery trip at a time.
When you mix the heart of our industry with the brains of a registered dietitian, you get something powerful. You get real impact. If you ask me, that’s the healthiest kind of marketing there is.
By Andrea Wiggins, creative content manager for the Healthy Family Project
Source: www.producenews.com
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