The Social Media Diet + Easy Chicken Tacos with a Sriracha Aioli
Issue #9
Hi everyone! It has been a while I know, but last week I got food poisoning and was on Spring break, so I needed a little break from posting. I’m back and now the countdown has started to Senior Project! I will be starting a series about the topic of my project, what I have written for my essay, and an interview with my mentor. This week's recipe is a 20-minute chicken tacos with a sriracha aioli.
How Social Media Influences Our Food Choices
For those who do not know, my Senior Project focuses on the question: “How can social media impact adolescent’s dietary choices?” When researching about this topic, I came across multiple journals and articles on the physical and psychological effects of the media and how it can attribute into people’s everyday lives, especially adolescent’s. Some of the main factors that I found and put into my essay were the topics of body image, “health” influencers, ads/marketing, and eating disorders.
When researching about my topic, I came across this book published in 2023 called The Social Media Diet by Jim and Jiab Wasserman. Although it does not really touch on the subject of nutrition, however it did give insights into social media affecting our everyday lives. “One 2021 study indicated a 17 percent increase in screen use by minors in 2019-2020 compared to four years before the pandemic.” With the launch of TikTok in 2017, there has been an increase in social media usage, which quickly increased even more in 2020. Now, social media isn’t all that bad, but with user error it can turn into this rabbit hole of doomscrolling. There is difference between sharing ideas and telling people what to do. With algorithms, an increase in what you see based on what is previously viewed can contribute to the doomscrolling of the media. One in particular in health information. Over 99% of these “health” influencers are sharing false information and do it to gain followers and likes; they have no interest to actually help people. So, the next time you are scrolling on any social media platform, take into consideration if the information is factual and also maybe do so research of your own.
I have a lot more to cover on this topic and next week I will be writing about body image, and how it is portrayed on social media, with research I have found throughout my research paper.
Chicken Tacos with a Sriracha Aioli
Serves 4
Chicken seasoning rub
2 lbs of chicken breasts, cut into tender size pieces (Can also use tofu for a vegan option)
1 tbsp of each garlic powder, dried oregano, chili powder, & paprika
1 tsp salt & pepper
Cut the chicken into tender size pieces. *I like to do this because it allows the chicken to cook faster*
Add all of the seasonings listed and coat onto the chicken.
In a pan or skillet over medium heat, add 1 Tbsp of avocado oil and once the pan is heated, add the chicken.
Cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes on one side, then flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes. *You may need to lower the heat to medium-low to allow the chicken to cook longer*
Once chicken is cooked all the way through, allow it to sit for 5 minutes before cutting.
Sriracha Aioli
1/3 cup mayo
3 tbsp sriracha sauce
1 lime or lemon, juiced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk.
Coleslaw
2 cups of red & green cabbage
2 - 3 tbsp of the sriracha aioli
1 lime or lemon, juiced
1 jalapeno, diced (Optional)
1/4 cup cilantro (Optional)
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
Assemble:
Warm tortillas of choice and add on the coleslaw, chicken, and more sriracha aioli.
Feel free to use guacamole, salsa, or any other toppings you would like.
Enjoy!