Instagram Nutritionist's Credentials Turn Out To Be Weekend Certificate And Access To Canva

An investigation into the credentials of a popular Instagram nutritionist with 340,000 followers has revealed that her qualifications consist of a weekend online certification from the International Wellness Academy and a Canva Pro subscription that she uses to create authoritative-looking infographics. Brianna Alkaline, who posts daily nutritional advice under the handle @NourishWithBri, has published content advising her followers on topics including hormonal balance, gut microbiome optimization, adrenal fatigue management, and the anti-inflammatory properties of celery juice. Her bio reads "Certified Nutritional Wellness Consultant." The International Wellness Academy, from which Alkaline received her certification in 2024, offers a self-paced program consisting of twelve video modules totaling six hours, a 40-question multiple-choice exam with no minimum passing score, and a downloadable PDF certificate. The program costs $199, or $149 during the academy's frequent sales. "The exam was open-book," said a former student who completed the same program. "One of the questions was 'True or False: Water is important for health.' I got a 100." Alkaline's most-shared infographic, viewed 2.3 million times, lists "12 Foods That Fight Inflammation" in a layout featuring soft gradients, serif fonts, and a color palette that registered dietitian Dr. Priya Macros described as "designed to look medical without containing medicine." "The infographic cites no studies," Dr. Macros noted. "It says 'studies show' four times without linking a single one. The design is immaculate. It looks more credible than actual medical literature, which, to be fair, is usually formatted like a tax return." Alkaline, reached via direct message, defended her credentials by noting that her followers "feel healthier" after following her advice, which she considers "real-world evidence." She has also announced a new certification program of her own, priced at $299, which will qualify graduates to post their own nutritional infographics. The program includes a Canva tutorial.