Latest news with #EmmaBeckett
ABC News
26-05-2025
- Health
- ABC News
What you need to know about the hype around protein foods
From cottage cheese TikTok trends to protein-rich ice cream, it seems we're more conscious about protein than ever. It can make it hard to distinguish what sources of protein are good for us and how much we really need. Food and nutrition scientist Emma Beckett, based in Newcastle/Awabakal, believes the current protein obsession is being driven by gym culture, and an increased interest in weight loss and perimenopause/menopause health. "One of the challenges with the hype around protein is there's not really a very good distinction between protein-rich foods, protein supplements, or protein fortified foods," she says. Let's break it down: Tracy Hardy, a Gamilaroi woman who specialises in nutrition and dietetics for First Nations Australians, says focusing on protein alone in our diets could lead to a lack of macronutrient balance. The macronutrient balance is about what percentage of our energy should come from carbs, what percentage should come from fat, and what percentage should come from protein. "While protein is an important nutrient, these [diet] trends can risk overconsumption and risk neglecting adequate consumption of other macronutrients (fats and carbohydrates), micronutrients and fibre," Ms Hardy says. How much protein we should be consuming each day depends on several factors like age, activity level, and overall health. Eat for Health's nutrient calculator can help you work out what's right for you based on the national Recommended Dietary Guidelines (RDI). Our experts recommend choosing "food first" to meet your recommended intake. "The healthiest foods won't have a label to put that kind of claim on," Dr Beckett says. "Remembering the kind of staples of high protein foods as the first port of call, and then maybe adding the fortified foods and supplements, if you're struggling to get that balance with the foods first." Ms Hardy, from Sunshine Coast/Kabi Kabi land, says native bush foods, a traditional food source for First Nations peoples, can also be a great source of protein. "There is a variety of protein-rich bush foods, including (but not limited to) kangaroo, wallaby, magpie geese, fish, wattleseed, bush tomatoes, bush banana, and some legumes," Ms Hardy says. She says consumers can connect with First Nations bush food growers and sellers to properly identify and prepare bush foods so they are safe for consumption. "It's important to connect with local traditional custodians to learn the stories and sustainability of these foods." If you're looking to get more protein at mealtimes, our experts recommend: Our experts say there's a myth that you can't gain weight from eating too much protein. "You most definitely can," Dr Beckett says. "We need to be eating the protein and doing the weight-bearing exercise. Looking for trusted sources of information when it comes to protein is also recommended. "Don't go the influencer route, because you definitely don't know where that information is coming from," Dr Beckett says. Guidelines from the government's Eat for Health includes information on the recommended daily protein intake for your age, gender and whether you're pregnant or breastfeeding. This article contains general information only. You should consider obtaining independent professional advice in relation to your particular circumstances.
ABC News
15-05-2025
- Health
- ABC News
How long does cooked seafood last? And is it safe to reheat?
Many of us find cooking overwhelming at the best of times, and seafood can be a step too far for many. Is the rest of the prawn pasta going to be OK for tomorrow's lunch? What about the fish curry from Sunday night? The good news is that if you're nervous around leftover seafood, you're probably overthinking it. Food and nutrition scientist Emma Beckett, and senior scientist with the CSIRO Rozita Vaskoska, explain the basics. There's no need to panic about microwaving your leftover seafood, according to the experts. However, if you work in an office, the subsequent smell could be a separate issue for you and human resources. Dr Beckett says once seafood is cooked, to follow "standard leftover rules", such as storing it correctly and not leaving it out on the bench for too long. "If you've cooked [prawns] into a pasta or something, then the same kind of leftover rules apply. "No more than a few days in the fridge." Dr Vaskoska agrees that — once cooked — seafood is generally "very similar" to other leftovers. "[For] cooked food, we normally say up to three days to four days," she says. "The growth of the microorganisms will be quite similar between the categories of food if they are cooked." To reduce the risk of food poisoning when eating leftovers, the NSW Food Authority recommends cooling and covering them within 2 hours, splitting them into smaller portions and storing them away from raw meat. It also recommends eating leftover cooked rice and pasta within 2 days. For those concerned about food safety, Dr Vaskoska says seafood — like a lot of food — poses more of a risk when it's raw. She says it can be easier to tell when raw seafood is off because differences in the taste and smell can be pronounced. This may be adding to consumer perception that seafood is more volatile, she says, which is more about its "sensory shelf life" than safety. While it's safe to save leftovers for later, Dr Beckett says any fish, prawns and mussels need to be "safe" when they go into the seafood marinara. How quickly raw seafood should be used depends on the type and how it's been handled, but "for things like prawns, you want to use them within a few days of purchase". When buying seafood, "you want it to look fresh", "you don't want the eyes of a whole fish to be cloudy, and you don't want the fish to be slimy", Dr Beckett says. "You want it to be still that kind of springy kind of texture that you'd expect from freshness." Quoting her brother, Dr Beckett says, "fresh seafood smells like the ocean, old seafood smells like fish". Dr Beckett says you can reheat meals that contain seafood like other leftovers, but always "reheat thoroughly". Dr Vaskoska says to make sure food is hot and not warm. It should be reheated to 60 degrees Celsius at a minimum, but 70 to 75 degrees Celsius would be preferable. Dr Vaskoska says, "you don't want cold spots", but if you're reheating just a portion for lunch or dinner, that's usually pretty easy to achieve. Dr Vaskoska says to be mindful of the "4-hour rule". If you're planning to eat leftovers cold, once they're taken out of the fridge, you have 2 hours to eat them or return them to the fridge, but after 4 hours, they need to be thrown away.
Express Tribune
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Viral ‘chubby filter' pulled from TikTok amid fears of eating disorder risks
TikTok logo is seen in this illustration taken, June 2, 2023. PHOTO: REUTERS Listen to article TikTok has removed a viral AI-powered 'chubby filter' from its platform following widespread backlash from users and health experts, who warned that the feature encouraged body shaming and could trigger eating disorders. The filter, which digitally altered users' photos to make them appear overweight, was developed by CapCut, a video editing app owned by ByteDance — the same parent company as TikTok. While technically separate, the filter was widely shared across TikTok, sparking outrage from users, influencers, and scientists. Initially shared in jest, many users posted before-and-after videos using the filter, with captions such as 'This is my motivation to go to the gym.' But others quickly pointed out the damaging implications. 'This filter is a huge step backward,' said Dr Emma Beckett, a food and nutrition scientist, in an interview with the BBC. 'It fuels toxic diet culture and reinforces harmful stereotypes about people in larger bodies.' Videos using the filter, which appeared on TikTok's 'For You' page, were often followed by others showing extreme transformations. Critics said this normalised body shaming and could exacerbate negative body image, especially among younger users. Prominent TikTok creator Sadie, who has over 60,000 followers, was among those calling for its removal. 'Social media should be fun, not a space for bullying,' she said. 'Many women messaged me saying the trend made them delete TikTok altogether.' TikTok confirmed that videos using the filter would not be recommended, would be blocked for teen accounts, and could be removed if found to violate community guidelines. A spokesperson said the company was reviewing content and reaffirmed that safety and inclusivity remain core principles. The Habitat, a UK-based advocacy group focused on digital safety, praised the decision but said platforms must be more proactive. 'By the time a harmful filter goes viral, the damage is often already done,' said a spokesperson. This isn't the first time TikTok has faced criticism for content promoting harmful beauty standards. In 2021, the app faced scrutiny over similar filters that slimmed users' faces or reshaped their features. The controversy comes amid broader conversations about the ethical use of AI in media, particularly as image-altering tools become more powerful and pervasive. CapCut has not publicly commented on the filter's removal.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Sick' filter that makes users appear fat is pulled after backlash on TikTok: ‘Fuels toxic diet culture'
They're going #nofilter. The controversial 'chubby' filter has been yanked from the video editing app CapCut after it received backlash from users on TikTok. A TikTok spokesperson confirmed to The Post that the filter was removed from CapCut. The filter was being applied to photos on CapCut and then uploaded to TikTok, both ByteDance-owned apps. A TikTok spox told BBC that content with the filter was being reviewed. Videos with the effect were then flagged as ineligible for recommendation to other users and teen accounts were barred from viewing them. 'It's definitely a step in the right direction,' TikTokker Sadie Bass, who previously slammed the viral filter on social media, told BBC. 'I'm happy that TikTok did that, because ultimately social media should be a fun, lighthearted place, not somewhere where you get bullied for how you look.' The 29-year-old content creator, who hails from Bristol, posted a video this week prior to the removal of the filter, saying it made her 'want to scream.' 'Why are you acting like being fat is the worst thing in the world?' she said in the clip, which amassed over 618,000 views. After catching wind that the filter had been deleted, she rejoiced online, saying she is 'beyond happy.' 'So important to recognize the damaging effects it can have, no one deserves to see their body being ridiculed,' she wrote. 'Thank you to every single person who spoke up & commented because we made this change happen.' She is just one of the many creators on the app who were particularly outspoken about the filter, which was called 'cruel,' 'toxic,' 'disrespectful' and 'sick.' Some even said the trend was a way to spot 'mean girls.' Food and nutrition scientist Dr. Emma Beckett told BBC that the online fad was 'a huge step backwards' for body positivity. 'It's just the same old false stereotypes and tropes about people in larger bodies being lazy and flawed, and something to be desperately avoided,' she explained. 'The fear of weight gain contributes to eating disorders and body dissatisfaction, it fuels toxic diet culture, making people obsess over food and exercise in unhealthy ways and opening them up to scam products and fad diets.'
BBC News
21-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
TikTokers call for 'chubby filter' to be banned
TikTok users have told the BBC they think a viral tool which makes people appear overweight should be banned from the as a "chubby filter", the artificial intelligence (AI) tool takes a photo of a person and edits their appearance to look as though they have put on people have shared their before and after images on the platform with jokes about how different they look - however others say it is a form of "body shaming" and should not be have also warned the filter could fuel a "toxic diet culture" online and potentially contribute to eating has not responded to a request for comment. Sadie, who has 66,000 followers on TikTok, is one of those calling for the "mean" filter to be banned."It felt like girls being like, 'oh, I've won because I'm skinny and wouldn't it be the worst thing ever to be fat'," the 29-year-old from Bristol said. She said she had been contacted by women who said they had deleted TikTok from their phones because the trend made them feel bad about themselves. "I just don't feel like people should be ridiculed for their body just for opening an app," she said. Dr Emma Beckett, a food and nutrition scientist, told the BBC she felt the trend was "a huge step backwards" in weight stigma."It's just the same old false stereotypes and tropes about people in larger bodies being lazy and flawed, and something to be desperately avoided," she warned that could have a broad social effect."The fear of weight gain contributes to eating disorders and body dissatisfaction, it fuels toxic diet culture, making people obsess over food and exercise in unhealthy ways and opening them up to scam products and fad diets."And it pressures everyone to conform to narrow beauty and health standards, rather than finding what works best for their own body - that causes harm to everyone, both in physical and mental health." Testing the 'chubby filter' By Jessica Sherwood, BBC Social NewsFilters - which use AI to manipulate a person's appearance - are common on are harmless - for example one popular trend makes it appear as if a person was made out of are often designed by individuals with no link to TikTok - as appears to be the case with the new "chubby filter".Some of the most popular videos using the filter have been liked tens of thousands of the purpose of this article, I used the filter on myself.I felt incredibly someone who is very body positive and has struggled with their self-image in the past, using it couldn't be further away from how I personally use social media and I was unhappy that TikTok pushed it to me in the first place. This filter appeared on my TikTok "For You" page the other day despite me not engaging with any weight-related or health watching the video and reading the comments that was it - the way TikTok's algorithm works means it began to suggest me similar videos from other people using the filter, and even another where AI can turn you it also began to start showing me creators who were criticising the trend, some of whom we've spoken to for this images and filters have become commonplace on TikTok and quickly accepted to be used for fun - the same way some Gen-Zs and Millennials might remember Snapchat filters. But filters like these, although they may seem fun, can be very damaging to someone's mental health and encourage them to compare themselves not only to others, but an unrealistic version of themselves. 'Damaging' and 'toxic' The BBC has spoken to a number of TikTok users who said they were uncomfortable with the who lives in north Wales, said she felt it fed into a "narrative" being spread online tying together people's appearance with their self-worth."This is a toxic view that I thought we were moving away from," she said. "If a filter is clearly offensive it should be removed," she told the who lives in Ayr, agreed."My first thought when I saw the 'chubby filter' was how damaging that would be."People were basically saying they looked disgusting because they were 'chubby' and as a curvier woman, who essentially looks like the "after" photo on this filter, it was disheartening for me." Nina said she was happy to see people criticising the trend, which she called "immoral and insensitive"."We should be lifting each other up, not shaming each other's bodies," she agreed that it should not be allowed - however she felt there might be other things TikTok could do."Maybe it should have a warning," she said. "If there's themes of body shaming or an eating disorder or anything like that, I think there should be a way of flagging it where, if these people want to post it, they post it, but it doesn't get pushed to a wider audience."
