Analysis of nutritional misinformation and guidelines for communicators: proposal based on a case study and content analysis

Abstract

Introduction: The study addresses the phenomenon of food misinformation and health-washing in a context of increasing digital information consumption. Its objective is to analyze campaigns, guides, and nutrition communication websites in order to identify strengths, weaknesses, and lessons learned that can help strengthen responsible health communication.

Methodology: A case study and content analysis approach was applied. The sample consisted of ten experiences: a campaign (#NoCuela), a guide against misleading advertising aimed at children, and eight good practice initiatives, including CADENUSA, Food Stories, Diet-Ética, Maldita.es, the UOC Biblioguía and Nutriendo. Their objectives, audiences, messages, languages and impact were evaluated, and the information was organised into a comparative table of successes and limitations.

Results: The findings reveal progress in terms of clarity, transparency, and accessibility of messages, as well as the use of visual resources, storytelling, and multichannel strategies. Campaigns such as #NoCuela, Nutriendo and the children’s guide stood out for their clear and didactic language, while Food Stories and Maldita.es introduced innovative formats and strong social media presence. CADENUSA excelled due to its participatory approach, and the Biblioguía for its wealth of resources. However, common weaknesses were identified: lack of practical examples to detect misleading information, an excessively critical tone, superficiality in some content, limited channel diversification in certain projects, and information overload in others.

Conclusions: The study confirms that digital nutrition communication requires clear, adapted, and ethical messages, supported by visual resources and interactive strategies. As a practical contribution, the guide “Ingredients for Cooking the Truth” is proposed, summarizing the lessons learned and offering ten recommendations of best practices for professionals and influencers. The research highlights the importance of balancing scientific rigor with communicative creativity in order to combat misinformation and promote healthy eating habits in the digital society.