Dr Tan Wellness Academy

Do your skincare products work as well as you hope they would?

What if my skin problems weren't just skin problems? 🥹

During my teenage years and early adulthood, I struggled with various skin issues. Not just on my face, but also on my arms and back.

Like many people, I tried to solve these problems from the outside. I used expensive lotions, serums, cleansers and herbal applications.

Two of the most troubling conditions I dealt with were the tiny bumps on my arms and the persistent breakouts on my back.

Despite using medications prescribed by dermatologists and trying different skincare products, they simply refused to go away.

Every time I tried something new, I felt hopeful. And every time the problem persisted, I became more discouraged.

Eventually, I gave up.😑

I stopped looking for solutions and started believing there must be something wrong with me. Perhaps I had inherited "bad skin". Perhaps this was simply something I had to live with.

But things started to change when I improved my diet and lifestyle.

Ironically, I wasn't trying to improve my skin.

I was trying to lose weight.

As I began eating better, becoming more physically active, managing stress more effectively, and getting enough sleep, something unexpected happened.

😀The bumps on my arms gradually became less noticeable.

😀The condition on my back improved.

😀My skin became calmer.

For the first time, I started to wonder:

What if my skin problems weren't just skin problems❓

That question eventually led me down a path of learning that transformed not only my skin, but also the way I understand health today.

Many years later, after studying nutrition, food science and health, I realised that while skincare products can play an important role, they are often only one piece of a much bigger puzzle.

That's why I'm conducting the second run of my free webinar:
You're Not Crazy. Your Skincare Isn't Working — Here's Why

In this science-based session, we'll explore:

• Why skincare alone may not be enough
• What's really driving many common skin concerns
• What actually supports healthy skin

👉To register, you'll need to provide your name and email address. I will use your email to send webinar updates, access details, and information about future educational programmes and events.

📅 21 June 2026 (Sunday)
⏰ 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
🎟 Free Registration

Live Q&A for attendees.

Replay available for registrants only.

If you've ever wondered why your skincare routine isn't delivering the results you expected, I hope you'll join me.

Registration link in the comments.

You’re right. Your Skincare Isn’t Working — Here’s Why You’ve done everything right. You eat clean-ish. You wear sunscreen. You’ve invested hundreds (maybe thousands?) into “dermatologist-recommended” serums and facials. And yet… 🔘 The melasma keeps spreading. 🔘 The breakouts return at the worst times. 🔘 Your skin looks dull, blotchy,...

Is fasting a health strategy? 🤔

Some people i know believe that the less they eat, the healthier they become.

As a nutrition educator, that worries me.

I once shared in class that eating sufficient nutrients is one of the foundations of good health.

A participant looked genuinely surprised.

She is not the only one.

I have come across cancer patients who chose to fast because they hoped to “starve cancer to death.”

I have met women who attended fasting retreats and consumed nothing but water for days in the name of cleansing and detoxification.

I have spoken to middle-aged men who practised OMAD (one meal a day) because they believed it was the fastest path to weight loss and better health.

To be clear, fasting is not necessarily bad.

When done appropriately, it may help some people improve metabolic health, manage weight, or regulate eating patterns.

But fasting is a tool.

It is not a substitute for nutrition.

The irony is that many of the benefits people seek from fasting can also be supported by:

✓ Eating nutrient-dense foods
✓ Eating appropriate amounts
✓ Sleeping well
✓ Managing stress
✓ Staying physically active

These approaches are less dramatic and they are also often more sustainable.

What concerns me is not fasting itself.

What concerns me is when people begin to distrust food. They see nourishment as weakness while hunger as virtue.

Eating becomes something to feel guilty about❗️

Sometimes I wonder how many people are struggling not because they eat too much, but because of their fear to the very thing that keeps them alive.

Food is not the enemy. ❤️

Learning how to nourish ourselves might be one of the most important health skills we can develop.

What are your thoughts on fasting?

Have you seen people take it too far? 🤔

What is the next food villain? 🤔

I am old enough to remember when eggs were the villain.

Then fat became the villain.

Then cholesterol.

Then sugar.

Then carbohydrates.

Then gluten.

Then seed oils.

Then ultra-processed foods.

And now, depending on which social media account you follow, the latest villain could be menopause, insulin, cortisol, lectins, oxalates, fruit, or even vegetables.

Sometimes I wonder: What will be the next villain?🦹

As a food scientist, I find this fascinating. 🤪

Every few years, the public conversation seems to focus on one enemy.

The promise is always the same:

“Fix this one thing, and your health problems will disappear.”

But real life rarely works that way.

- A person can have high cholesterol because of genetics, diet, stress, sleep deprivation, inactivity, hormonal changes, medications, or a combination of all of them.

- A person can develop diabetes despite looking slim.

- A person can lose weight while becoming less healthy.

- A person can eat “clean” and still have nutritional deficiencies.

The human body is far too complex to be explained by a single villain ❗️

Yet social media loves villains because villains are simple.

Simple stories spread. Complex truths do not❗️

Perhaps the problem is not that we have too many food villains.

Perhaps the problem is that we keep looking for one.

The most important nutrition skill is not learning what to fear.

It is learning how to think.

When you see a health claim online, ask:

✅ What is the evidence?
✅ What factors were not discussed?
✅ Is this a universal truth or a personal experience?
✅ What alternative explanations exist?

Because the moment we stop asking questions, we become vulnerable to the next villain.

And trust me.

There will always be a next villain. 🤪

Should everyone do intermittent fasting?🤔

In almost every nutrition class I teach, someone asks about intermittent fasting.

Many learners come to my classes with prior knowledge about food and nutrition. They gain this knowledge from friends, social media, podcasts, books, and online influencers.

One topic that consistently stands out is intermittent fasting. 💡

Some people believe it is a powerful tool that can solve almost every health problem. Others cite the discovery of autophagy and Nobel Prize-winning research as proof that fasting must be beneficial for everyone.

I agree that intermittent fasting can be a useful strategy for some individuals, particularly those struggling with metabolic conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and hypertension. When applied appropriately, it may help improve metabolic health, appetite regulation, and eating habits.

However, a tool that benefits one person may not benefit everyone❗️

In my experience, some people become so focused on fasting that they begin to view food as the enemy. They spend more time thinking about when not to eat than about what they should eat.

This is where problems can arise.

Intermittent fasting may not be suitable for everyone, especially when practiced in extreme forms such as OMAD (One Meal A Day) or very narrow eating windows such as 20:4.

Certain groups should exercise particular caution, including:

• Individuals recovering from surgery, illness, or major medical treatments, as their bodies often require additional energy and nutrients for healing.

• People with existing nutrient deficiencies, such as iron deficiency anaemia, vitamin deficiencies, or undernutrition, where prolonged fasting may further reduce nutrient intake.

• Individuals with a history of eating disorders or disordered eating behaviours, as fasting may worsen unhealthy relationships with food.

• Children and teenagers, who are still growing and developing and generally require regular access to energy and nutrients to support healthy growth.

The key question is not whether intermittent fasting works.

The better question is:

Who is it appropriate for, and under what circumstances?

Nutrition is rarely one-size-fits-all.

The goal should not be to copy the latest trend but to find an eating pattern that supports your health, lifestyle, medical condition, and long-term wellbeing.❤️

Sometimes that may include intermittent fasting.

Sometimes it may not.

And that is perfectly okay.

🩷Enjoy discussions like this? Click the button below or the link in the first comment and join our community.

Dr Tan Wellness Academy | Nas.com Communities At Dr Tan Wellness Academy, we empower women and communities to take charge of their health through science-backed, practical, and holistic wellness education. Founded by Dr Tan Sze Sze — a food scientist, educator, and speaker with over 15 years of experience — the Academy bridges cutting-edge ...

Why do eggs explode in a microwave oven?💥

I learned this lesson the hard way.

A few years ago, while staying in a serviced apartment overseas, I decided to prepare a simple breakfast using the microwave oven.

I was aware that placing whole eggs with shells into a microwave could cause them to explode. To avoid that, I cracked the eggs into a bowl before putting them into the microwave.

Problem solved, right?

Wrong.

To my surprise, the eggs still exploded ❗️

Not once, not twice, but every single time.😖

As a food scientist, I later learned that the shell is not always the culprit.

The real problem is often the egg yolk.🍳

The yolk is surrounded by a thin membrane. When microwaved, water inside the yolk turns into steam. If the steam cannot escape quickly enough, pressure builds up within the yolk until it bursts.

In other words, even without a shell, an egg can still explode if pressure accumulates faster than it can be released.

This is also why some microwave recipes recommend piercing the yolk before cooking.

Interestingly, eggs are not the only foods that behave this way. Other foods that can build up internal pressure include:

• Potatoes
• Sweet potatoes
• Sausages
• Chestnuts
• Tomatoes
• Sealed containers of food

The common factor?

Steam trapped inside an enclosed space.

The microwave oven is not trying to destroy your breakfast.

[Bahasa version in Comment 1]

The physics of steam pressure is.

This experience taught me an important lesson about food science.

Many people remember rules such as: "Don't microwave eggs."

But very few people are taught the reason behind those rules.

Once you understand the mechanism, you can apply the same principle to many other foods.

Have you ever had food explode in a microwave?

I'd love to hear your story. 😀

Is microwave cooking really safe? 🤔

Most people think the debate is about radiation. ☢️

Last week, a news article reported that a dietitian had confirmed that using a microwave to prepare food is safe and does not destroy nutrients in food.

Her statement is not wrong.

But it is also too simplistic.

In fact, studies have shown that the effects of microwaving on the nutritional value of food are generally comparable to other common cooking methods such as boiling, steaming, baking, stir-frying, or roasting.

In many cases, nutrient retention depends more on cooking time, temperature, water exposure, and oxygen exposure than on whether a microwave is used.

The real questions we should be asking are:

• Does microwaving destroy phytochemicals?
• Is it safe to cover food with plastic?
• Can old microwave ovens leak radiation?
• Why do eggs sometimes explode in microwaves?
• Can microwaved water become dangerous?
• Does repeated reheating affect food quality?

These are the questions that are rarely discussed properly.

The problem with many health discussions today is that people are often given conclusions without being taught the underlying mechanisms.

As a result, we end up with statements such as:

- “Microwaves are dangerous.”☢️

- “Natural is always better.” 🍀

- “Chemicals are toxic.”☠️

But science is usually more nuanced than that.

Over the next few posts, I will be unpacking some of the lesser-known science behind microwave cooking, nutrient retention, food packaging, and food safety.

Follow my page if you enjoy evidence-based discussions about food, nutrition, and health.

And tell me in the comments:

What is your biggest concern about microwave cooking?

Does AI really help us make better food choices?

[Bahasa version in first comment]

In my classes, I often design learning activities that require learners to search for information online, evaluate evidence, and think critically about health topics.

But recently, I noticed something worrying.

Many learners no longer do proper internet research. Instead, they directly use AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude to generate answers for assignments.

And after reading enough submissions, honestly, I can often tell.

Don’t get me wrong. I use AI frequently in my own work too.

AI can be incredibly useful for:

* summarising information
* simplifying technical concepts
* brainstorming ideas
* improving productivity

But I think we are slowly crossing into dangerous territory❗️

Many people are no longer using AI as a thinking assistant.

They are using AI as a replacement for thinking.😥

Just recently, a student shared her findings about a collagen and antioxidant supplement she was taking.

When I read the write-up, I realised much of the information generated by AI sounded more like marketing copy than proper analysis.

The AI had mainly pulled information from the company’s own website and promotional materials.

As a result, the response focused heavily on:

* “boosting beauty”
* “anti-ageing”
* “detoxifying”
* “glowing skin”
* and other attractive sales claims

But there was little discussion about:

* Actual evidence quality
* Dosage relevance
* Bioavailability
* Study limitations
* Potential interactions
* or whether the claims were clinically meaningful

This is the problem. 😥

AI often reflects the quality of the information it is fed or trained on.

If the dominant information online is marketing-driven, the AI output may also become marketing-driven.

And because AI writes very confidently, many people may assume the information is objective and scientifically sound.

But confident writing is not the same as critical thinking.

The bigger concern is not whether AI makes mistakes. Humans make mistakes too.

The bigger concern is this:

If people STOP questioning information, comparing sources, evaluating evidence, and thinking critically, they may slowly lose the very skills needed to judge whether the AI answer even makes sense in the first place.

In health and nutrition, this matters enormously.

Because health is rarely black and white. Human bodies are complex and scientific understanding continues to evolve.

Personally, I think AI is an incredibly powerful tool.

But the real question is:

Are we still using AI to support thinking?

Or are we slowly outsourcing our judgment instead?

Do you miss me? 🤣

[Bahasa version in first comment]

I went missing for almost two weeks.

I just needed some quiet time to slow down, think, breathe, and recalibrate a little.

But today, I realised something unexpected.

During the time I was away, this page crossed 10 million views.

Honestly, that feels surreal to me.

When I first started writing here, I never imagined that simple posts about food, nutrition, health, and life could reach so many people across different countries.

Most of my posts are simply my thoughts, opinions, and experiences accumulated over many years of teaching, research, and working in the health and nutrition field.

It is just me writing honestly, sharing what I know, and hoping that somehow my knowledge and experiences can help someone out there make better decisions about their health and life.

But hitting 10 million views also made me stop and think more deeply.🤔

Maybe this is no longer just a “social media experiment.”

Maybe this is a responsibility.

Because behind every number is a real person -
someone trying to lose weight, manage diabetes, understand food better, care for their family, or simply live a healthier life.

And honestly, this journey has started to make me rethink what else I can do to help more people in a meaningful and sustainable way.

But today, I just want to say thank you.

🩷Thank you for reading.
🩷Thank you for sharing.
🩷Thank you for learning with me.
🩷Thank you for trusting me enough to let my words enter your daily lives.

Sometimes social media feels noisy and overwhelming.

But many of you reminded me that people still appreciate honest education, critical thinking, and conversations that feel human.

I may disappear occasionally to recharge… but I am still here 😊

And I hope we continue learning together for a long time to come.
– Dr Tan & Chenyu

This work lunch cost me around SGD $3–5 😊

Estimated nutrition:
- high protein (~35–50g)
- fibre-rich vegetables
- rich in iron, B12 and zinc
- balanced carbohydrates for sustained energy

Today’s lunch:
Purple rice, beef stew, liver, cucumber, carrots and tomatoes.

Nothing fancy.
No expensive wellness café.
No miracle supplements.

Just a simple balanced meal that helps me stay full, focused and energised for my afternoon lesson.

It also took me less than 30 minutes to prepare this morning 😊 (I usually cook the beef stew during the weekend.).

One thing I’ve noticed over the years is this:

Many people think healthy eating must be:
- expensive
- trendy
- imported
- highly restrictive

In reality, the body simply needs:
- enough real food
- enough protein
- enough fibre
- enough nourishment

Ironically, I’ve seen people spend hundreds on supplements while eating very little actual food.

Then later struggle with:
- fatigue
- constipation
- poor concentration
- cravings
- low energy

Our body is not powered by marketing.

It is powered by nourishment 😊

This is why I teach food and nutrition to people.

The first time I truly understood the power of food was in 1997.

That was the year my uncle, someone very close to me, was diagnosed with cancer.

It was also the first time I realised something I was not ready for:

Death can come very close.😔

It was a difficult time. The whole family came together. My grandmother and her other children spent hundreds of thousands of ringgit on medical treatment and on food.

We paid attention to what he ate as we believed food could support healing.

And for a while, it seemed to work. Over the course of a year, his tumour shrank.

We felt hope again. ❤️

Then came a new decision. The doctor suggested trying a new chemotherapy drug.

We trusted the process and believed more treatment would help.
But within weeks, his condition deteriorated rapidly.

That experience stayed with me for a long time mainly because I witnessed something I didn’t fully understand back then:
- Treatment can be powerful.
- But when the body is already fragile, it can also be overwhelming.

That was the moment a question was planted in me:

What if healing is not just about fighting disease, but also about strengthening the body that is fighting?

Today, I don’t just teach people what to eat instead I teach them
- How to think about food
- How to support their body.
- How to ask better questions before making decisions about their health.

When we don’t understand our own body, we hand over all decisions to someone else.

And many times, we only start asking questions when it’s already too late.

This is not about choosing food over medicine. It is about understanding that the body receiving the treatment matters too.

❤️ If you’ve ever had to make a difficult medical decision for someone you love, you’ll understand why this matters.