As people embrace New Year health resets, doctors are warning that the growing reliance on AI tools and online algorithms for diet and weight-loss advice may be overlooking critical health risks.
Doctors stress that AI-generated information should never replace personalised medical advice or clinical assessment.
From calorie targets generated by chatbots to fasting plans pulled from social media trends, clinicians say many people are arriving at appointments with confidence in advice that doesn’t account for their medical history, medications, or underlying conditions.
“AI can be helpful for general information, but it doesn’t know you,” says Dr Hosen Kiat, a cardiologist, medical professor and digital health educator featured on Doctify.
“It doesn’t know your blood pressure, your mental health history, hormones, or what medications you’re taking. That’s where well-intentioned advice can quietly become unsafe. Even with extensive health data, AI cannot examine you, reliably spot red flags, provide timely follow-up, or take clinical responsibility.
“Doctors act as a safety net when AI advice is wrong, especially if you adopt a drastically new diet program.”
The dangers of one-size-fits-all advice
January is traditionally a peak period for dieting and lifestyle changes, with weight loss consistently ranking among the most common New Year resolutions. At the same time, the use of AI tools for health advice is accelerating, driven by convenience, speed, and accessibility.
In one real-world study of an AI “virtual dietitian,” 83.9% of users reported actively following AI-generated diet advice, raising concerns about how often such advice is adopted without medical oversight.
Dr Kiat says the issue isn’t the technology itself, but how it’s being used.
“Algorithms are designed to give confident answers,” he says. “Medicine works in nuance. Only your doctors give you personalised advice – for you, in context, based on your medical conditions and clinical history.”
Doctors report common risks including:
Extreme calorie restriction without medical screening
Fasting protocols unsuitable for people with diabetes, heart conditions or eating disorder histories
Supplement recommendations that interact with prescription medications
Generic advice that ignores pregnancy, postpartum health or hormonal conditions
“Viral advice can sound persuasive, but the body doesn’t respond to trends,” Dr Kiat says. “It responds to biology.”
Who should be especially cautious
Doctors urge anyone with a chronic condition, those taking prescription medication, people with a history of eating disorders, and pregnant or postpartum patients to avoid relying on AI-generated diet plans without professional guidance.
“Even otherwise healthy people can run into trouble if weight loss is approached aggressively or without context,” says Dr Kiat. “Fatigue, dizziness, mood changes, and nutrient deficiencies are often brushed off as ‘normal’ parts of dieting when they’re actually warning signs.”
Using AI safely
Dr Kiat stresses that AI doesn’t need to be avoided entirely, but it should be treated as a starting point rather than a decision-maker.
“AI should educate, not prescribe,” he says. “A diet for a specific goal should be treated like a prescription. It should come from a qualified clinician who knows you, takes responsibility, monitors progress, and identifies risks early. Ultimately, success depends on flexibility - adjusting the program based on your health status and reviewing and modifying medications when needed.”
Digital health platforms such as Doctify can support that process by helping people find and access verified clinicians when professional guidance is needed.
“AI can inform, but it cannot follow you,” Dr Kiat says. “Healthcare professionals take ongoing responsibility for your diet and adjust it as your body responds.”
What to remember this January
Sustainable health changes are individual, not algorithmic
Faster isn’t always better when it comes to weight loss
If something feels wrong, it’s worth checking rather than pushing through
Medical support should feel accessible, not intimidating
“New Year motivation can be powerful,” says Dr Kiat. “But your health deserves more than a copy-and-paste plan. A conversation can make all the difference.”
