Jessica Knurick
Jessica Knurick | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 23, 1987 |
| Education | Florida Atlantic University (Bachelor's) East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (Master's) Arizona State University (PhD) |
| Website | jessicaknurick |
Jessica Knurick (born July 23, 1987)[1] is an American nutrition scientist, registered dietitian, science communicator, and social media personality. She is most well known for her content debunking claims associated with the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement.
Health advocacy
[edit]Knurick began creating content to combat misinformation regarding prenatal and postpartum care.[2] She said that the concerns of the MAHA movement are based on well-founded concerns about health and chronic illnesses, but their explanations for these issues and proposed solutions are not scientific. Knurick criticized Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for making exaggerated claims about the rate of childhood diabetes and in other topics. Knurick also commented on his misunderstandings of dietary guidelines.[3]
She said she tries to be respectful to people who believe in the MAHA movement, because they may not have thought of the issues outside of the MAHA rhetoric they have heard. Knurick said that she had no sympathy for the leaders of the movement, because they "are spreading this misinformation and are making tons of money off of it".[3] She also added that easier access to healthcare and nutrition improved health outcomes, but that programs expanding their access had been cut. Knurick said that MAHA influencers misdirected people on health issues "while enacting policies that are actually making the problem even worse".[4]
She supports the practice of water fluoridation.[5] Knurick said that the MAHA movement ignores health disparities, and that water fluoridation helps low-income people who can not afford fluoride treatments or fluoride toothpastes.[6] She said that changes to COVID-19 vaccine recommendations would leave many without insurance coverage for the vaccination, and said that the policy change was "removing access from people".[7] Knurick has said that artificial food dyes are safe, but that they were used in foods she recommends consuming less of, like candies and junk food. She said they are a marketing tool aimed at children, and that using less food dye could lower consumption of junk foods by children. Knurick said that Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s announcement that food companies would voluntarily end the use of artificial food dyes was performative and not attached to any regulatory action.[8]
Personal life
[edit]Knurick is a first-generation college student.[5] Her grandmother taught her to eat nutritious food and to practice self-care, and served as her inspiration to become a registered dietitian.[9] She attended Arizona State University in 2012 for her PhD.[5] Knurick began teaching nutrition science in 2015 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, but does not appear to be listed as a current faculty member.[5] She has children,[3] and some of her earlier content was focused on advice for pregnant women and mothers.[5] Knurick works as a consultant.[10]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Jessica Knurick basketball profile". Eurobasket. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
- ↑ Malhi, Sabrina (February 9, 2026). "Combating Healthcare Misinformation, One TikTok at a Time". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Scott, Dylan (August 25, 2025). "A public health expert keeps going viral on Instagram for delivering this very simple message". Vox. Archived from the original on August 25, 2025. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
- ↑ Held, Lisa (September 30, 2025). "Jessica Knurick Is on a Crusade to Correct MAHA Misinformation". Civil Eats. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Herskowitz, Matthew (December 15, 2025). "How Jessica Knurick Became the Go-To MAHA Demystifier". GQ. Archived from the original on December 16, 2025. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
- ↑ Rabbitt, Meghan (September 20, 2025). "Lost In Health Misinformation Chaos?". Sunday Paper. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
- ↑ "Dr. Drew, nutrition scientist Dr. Jessica Knurick clash over vaccine mandates". NewsNation. September 5, 2025. Archived from the original on October 22, 2025. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
- ↑ Shultz, Cara Lynn (May 1, 2025). "RFK Jr. Says He's Banning Food Dyes Through an 'Understanding' with Manufacturers. But There's No Proof". People. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
- ↑ Burch, Kelly. "My grandmothers had a 24-year age gap. The difference in our relationships taught me youth and health aren't the same". Business Insider. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ↑ Joffe-Block, Jude (February 20, 2025). "Bad wellness advice is all over social media. These creators are pushing back". NPR. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
External links
[edit]- American dietitians
- American women bloggers
- 21st-century American women scientists
- American social media influencers
- 1987 births
- Living people
- American health activists
- American health educators
- 21st-century American women educators
- 21st-century American educators
- East Stroudsburg University alumni
- Arizona State University alumni
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas faculty
- Nutritional scientists
- American science communicators
- Florida Atlantic Owls women's basketball players