Ella Mills, the founder of Deliciously Ella, has transformed from a health enthusiast into a prominent figure in the wellness world. But she’s not stopping there. In a candid interview for Good Housekeeping’s July issue, Ella shared her concerns about the harmful side of the wellness industry, and her determination to drive change.
Mills, who has built an empire around plant-based recipes, explained how the wellness industry is often filled with misleading trends. “It’s ironic,” she said, “as our collective health worsens, the wellness industry continues to grow, becoming louder, more confusing, and offering empty promises.”
She advocates for a simpler approach to well-being. “It’s enough to take a walk during your lunch break, avoid smoking or excessive drinking, and eat more vegetables,” she said. “These are basic, evidence-based practices. But online, people are obsessed with extreme morning routines and achieving unrealistic goals by 9 am.”
Ella expressed her concern about how wellness has become synonymous with expensive products and complicated routines. “Yes, I do look at TikTok and wonder, ‘What are people doing?’” she admits. “Too many believe their health depends on pricey powders and elaborate rituals.”
For her, wellness should be more straightforward. “It’s about doing a 10-minute online workout, not following a morning routine that involves slathering on creams or taping your mouth shut,” she said, referring to the viral “morning shed” routines that have gained attention online.
While she acknowledges that some swear by methods like mouth taping, her primary worry is the influence of social media algorithms. “These platforms make people think they need to buy powders, gadgets, or products. Meanwhile, the simple act of eating well is becoming less and less popular.”
Mills also voiced her frustration with the current state of the nation’s diet. “We’ve normalized a way of eating that’s far from natural. 60-80% of our calories come from ultra-processed foods, and one in five people get nearly all their calories from them. Meanwhile, only a quarter of us get our five-a-day, and 90% don’t consume enough fiber,” she said. “Yet eating more chickpeas is far less glamorous than the latest diet fad.”
She believes the conversation needs to shift towards promoting fresh, healthy food, but acknowledges the challenges. “Good habits are hard to form when we’re surrounded by unhealthy options,” she said.
Mills also pointed to a socio-economic issue. She referenced The Broken Plate 2025 report, which reveals that the most financially disadvantaged households would need to spend 45% of their disposable income just to afford a healthy diet recommended by the government—this rises to 70% for families with children.
“How did we get here?” Mills asks. “It’s a broken system. Even if you have money to buy fresh produce, supermarkets are still dominated by unhealthy products with enticing marketing claims. And on social media, people are pushed to buy expensive green powders that offer little real benefit.”
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