Nutrition Influencer Insights: Q&A with upwaRD Winner Emily Holdorf
How did you become passionate about nutrition communications?
My passion for nutrition communications started during my undergraduate studies. I was naturally drawn to nutrition education courses and community nutrition because I recognized the value of sharing nutrition concepts in a way that was easy to understand. As social media and brand work began to grow in popularity in the dietetics space, I leaned into my love for cooking and baking and launched a recipe blog. This hobby allowed me to enter the world of nutrition communications and build a portfolio, ultimately leading to my current role as an Influencer & Community Manager for the Foundation for Fresh Produce.
What platform or medium do you think is especially powerful for nutrition education today and why?
Short-form social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram offer nutrition professionals endless opportunities to share credible food and nutrition knowledge. Although there’s a lot of competition and noise, these platforms remain powerful tools for making a difference. I encourage the brands I work with to think creatively when sharing health and wellness tidbits on social media. Subliminal influence plays a significant role, so content that is entertainment-focused or lifestyle-oriented can be just as impactful, if not more so, in helping people understand and apply nutrition concepts. For instance, “come grocery shopping with me” videos are incredibly popular—people love getting an inside look at creators’ daily lives while gaining new ideas for their next shopping trip.
What your favorite part of your job?
I love breaking down complex science into easy-to-digest (no pun intended!) and relatable information that helps consumers understand how to fuel themselves effectively. It’s incredibly rewarding to see people make connections between food and their mood, energy levels, or overall well-being, and to feel confident in the choices they’re making.
What’s the food/beverage or nutrition trend that you’re loving right now?
Since I work in the produce industry for my full-time job, I love that 2024 has been deemed the “year of fiber.” It’s a perfect opportunity to encourage people to enjoy more fruits and vegetables in delicious and creative ways!
Where can people find you?
You can find me at empowerednutrition.co. For inspiration on how to enjoy more fruits and veggies, follow @fruitsandveggies on Instagram, where I manage everything behind-the-scenes and dabble in content creation.
