How to Create a Social Media Algorithm That Bypasses Diet and Weight Loss Content

restoringwavespllc
Oct 14
3 min read

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In a world where social media often produces unrealistic body standards, it's easy to feel overwhelmed, triggered, or simply exhausted by the constant stream of diet talk and weight loss content. Whether you're in recovery from an eating disorder, working on body acceptance, or just aimining to protect your mental well-being, curating your digital space is a powerful act of self-care.

The good news? You have more control than you think. Social media platforms use algorithms that respond to your behavior - what you like, watch, comment on, and scroll past. With some intention and consistency, you can train your feeds to minimize diet and weight loss content, and instead prioritize what supports your healing and joy.

Here's how to get started.

Identify Your Triggers

Before adjusting your feeds, take a moment to notice what types of posts affect you negatively. These might include:

Before-and-after weight loss photos
Diet tips or "what I eat in a day" videos
"Healthy" recipes that feel obsessive or restrictive
Body shaming disguised as "fitness motivation"

Understanding what you want to avoid will make the process more targeted and effective.

Mute or Unfollow Accounts That Promote Diet Culture

This step might feel tough at first - especially if these accounts belong to friends or influencers you once admired - but it's okay to outgrow content.

On most platforms:

Unfollow: Stops all content from that account
Mute: Hides their posts/stories without unfollowing
Snooze: Temporarily removes them from your feed

You're allowed to put your mental health first. You can always revisit later if you change your mind.

Use "Not Interested" or "See Less" Features

When content appears that you don't want to see, engage with the platform's feedback tools. For example:

Instagram: Tap the three dots on a post > "Not interested"
TikTok: Press and hold a video > "Not interested"
Youtube: Click the three dots next to a video > "Don't recommend channel"

The more you do this, the more the algorithm learns what you don't want to see.

Block Keywords Related to Dieting and Weight Loss

Some platforms allow you to block or filter certain words, hashtags, or phrases. Here's how:

Instagram:
- Go to Settings > Privacy > Hidden Words
- Add terms like: "diet," "weight loss," "calories," "fat burning," "BMI," etc.
- These posts/comments will be hidden from you.
Twitter/X:
- Go to Settings > Privacy and Safety > Mute and block > Muted words
- Add triggering keywords

This doesn't catch everything, but it helps reduce exposure.

Follow Accounts That Make You Feel Good

One of the best ways to shift your algorithm is to actively follow and engage with body-positive, recovery-friendly, and inclusive accounts. Some ideas:

Therapists and dietitians specializing in intuitive eating or HAES (Health At Every Size)
Body liberation advocates
Artists, nature photographers, animal videos - anything that brings joy!

Every like, comment, and save teaches the algorithm what you do want more of.

Take Breaks When You Need To

Sometimes, the healthiest thing to do is log off. If social media feels like it's harming your mental health, it's okay to take a break. Use that time to reconnect with activities that ground you - reading, journaling, walking, or calling a friend.

Final Thoughts

Curating your digital space isn't about denial or pretending diet culture doesn't exist. It's about protecting your peace and creating an environemnt that supports your healing. Every time you mute a word or follow a joyful account, you're telling the algorithm - and yourself - that your mental health matters.

If this process feels overwhelming, you don't have to do it alone. A therapist can help you build a healthier relationship with both your body and your online world.