Plus-size influencer is exposing double standards in the food vlogging world, one TikTok meal at a time: ‘[You] are allowed to eat and eat well’
Editor’s note: This article contains mentions of eating disorders and disordered eating.
Depending on the video, queer, plus-size influencer Megan Ixim (@heymsgigggles) says she can receive “literally hundreds” of hateful comments each day.
Comments like “go on a diet, big is not beautiful” and “see you in the ER” are just regular fare from anonymous trolls who come across Ixim’s videos.
“I definitely have received harassment to the point where I was ready to just say, ‘Enough. How much is one person supposed to take?'” Ixim told In The Know by Yahoo.
“When my platform was finally growing, I received some of the worst comments anyone could ever say to someone, some that went beyond calling me fat, but truly wishing me death [for being fat] — and that was really jarring.”
Currently, Ixim has over 103,000 Instagram followers (@msgigggles) and 91,000 TikTok followers (@heymsgigggles). “Even now, after all this time, I sometimes will not look at TikTok comments at all because I know they will be a dumpster fire.”
But recently, Ixim asserted in a TikTok post that straight-size food vloggers tend not to receive the kind of hateful comments she receives — an observation other plus-size content creators have also made.
“Anyone wonder why that is?” Ixim mused in the video, which gained over 352,000 views and 45,000 likes.
While much of Ixim’s content looks very similar to other food vloggers’ — like trying a different culture’s cuisine for the first time, or visiting a new restaurant in her neighborhood — she says straight-size creators simply do not receive the hate she does.
“People are truly horrified at a fat person doing a normal and necessary activity like nourishing their body,” says Ixim.
She speculates that the lack of inclusion and representation in the food industry is largely to blame, specifically on social media.
“It’s really heartbreaking to review a restaurant working with influencers or food bloggers and not see a single plus-size person on their social. This is sadly not the exception but the norm,” she asserts.
“People review your business socials, and I can guarantee that they want to see themselves reflected as a way to know they are welcomed in your space. The lack of plus-size representation in the food industry is appalling and something that needs to be discussed.”
For Ixim, who has been in eating disorder recovery from anorexia for over eight years, filming herself eating and enjoying food is not just about content creation, but also about healing.
“My journey with food, and learning to enjoy and love food, has not been linear. I have been working through my hang-ups by creating content of myself — not only eating a wide variety of food but [also looking] put-together, happy and simply showcasing that we do not need to hide our enjoyment of food from the world or from ourselves.”
After experiencing years of anxiety around eating in public — especially foods that would be deemed “bad” by onlookers, says Ixim, such as desserts or carbs — Ixim says her content creation has been a huge stepping stone on her road to recovery.
“It’s been a really healing journey creating content like this, and I am so glad now, years later, to see more and more plus-size creators doing the same.”
But whether eating online in front of TikTok followers or eating in a public restaurant, Ixim says she often faces scrutiny and judgment during meals.
“Existing as a fat person in an anti-fat world is already a difficult existence,” she explained. “I do not know a single fat person that has eaten in public that hasn’t received comments regarding what they are eating and how.”
Ixim recalled the time she was confronted for eating a salad in public. “Someone came up to me at Panera and said, ‘Wow, good for you for trying to get healthy, I know these carbs are tempting.’ In what world would that ever be OK to say to a complete stranger?”
This kind of remark from strangers isn’t the only type of backdoor negativity Ixim has received, she asserts. In a February video, the influencer took to TikTok to break down “concern trolls,” who she says offer “undermining criticisms under the guise of concern.”
“Their comments are used as weapons to distract from conversations at hand, and usually target marginalized individuals,” she asserts. “This tactic is only used to sabotage the cause and never from someone who actually cares.”
Because Ixim hopes to create a better, more inclusive world “one post at a time,” she doesn’t always ignore the negative comments she receives. Sometimes, she chooses to respond to them — and once in a while, those responses elicit apologies (though she says it’s very rare).
“People who do apologize admit that they themselves were struggling, and had difficulty accepting that someone like me could be happy and thriving. … The saying ‘hurt people hurt people’ definitely comes into play.”
However, as a fat influencer, Ixim says she has to face a unique set of challenges that other content creators might not — like the downside of going viral.
While many TikTokers would rejoice in a video gaining millions of views, for Ixim, such success comes with an onslaught of “the worst comments possible,” as she explained in a June video, captioned, “Hey @tiktok creators what are you doing to protect marginalized creators because this isnt it.”
Despite the challenges she reports facing, Ixim continues to share her content online — whether it be videos of her swimming, snacking or simply existing.
“I’m hoping [that] by living an authentic life, and creating content that I wished to see when I was growing up, [it] will help others that are struggling within themselves or do not know how to do it yet,” she explained.
“My goal in regards to social media was not to create content for a world we currently live in — [which] can be very cruel — but a world I wished we lived in. I truly believe your feed should look differently than you do, and that following people who inspire you that also exist in different ways is so important.”
But for all the hate Ixim receives for her content, she also receives positive, supportive comments as well — and it’s those comments that keep her going.
“The only reason I am still a content creator is because of my community. I am reminded every day that my work is meaningful, that it is impactful and that it is necessary. [People tell me] how I positively affected their life, and how I’ve shown that you not only can have a good life as a queer fat woman, but you can have an amazing one.”
One such positive comment was left by TikTok user @daisycat41: “You have made such a difference in my life and how to view my plus-sized self. Just wanted you to know you’re helping people. 💗”
Another, from @scw2223, reads, “You look incredible and inspire me to be myself. Yes I am fat and I owe nobody an explanation about my health!”
As for what she hopes people take away from her TikTok and Instagram posts, Ixim explained that she simply wants people to know they are allowed to exist in their body the way it is. “Furthermore, you are allowed to actually like yourself, like the way you look and not want to change.”
But her hopes for her followers don’t stop there. With each post, she has a message to send — and it’s one of healing and love.
“I hope that people learn to heal generational trauma around their bodies and around food. I hope that people learn that you cannot tell the health of anyone by simply looking at them, and that we all are meant to look and be different from one another. Also, that no one owes you health, and that we all have to worry about ourselves. I hope that people know that they are allowed to eat and eat well.”
“I created my platform as a way to heal myself and my own trauma, and what I learned is that it’s important when you exist in a marginalized body to see people like you thriving. It’s important to see people like you living. It’s important to see people like you reflected in social and on all socials,” Ixim went on to say.
“I hope that we can continue to grow, and I truly hope that we can work on a more accepting and inclusive world on and off the internet.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating habits, contact the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA). You can also connect with a Crisis Text Line counselor at no charge by texting the word “HOME” to 741741. Visit the NEDA website to learn more about the possible warning signs of eating disorders and disordered eating.
If you or someone you know needs support after experiencing weight-related bias or discrimination, contact the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance at 916-558-6880 or via an online form. You can also connect with a Crisis Text Line counselor at no charge by texting the word “HOME” to 741741.
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