This study examines how content creators on social media spread misinformation and unhealthy dietary advice, focusing on the carnivore diet on TikTok. Through a critical rhetorical analysis, the study identifies the persuasive strategies used by creators to promote this restrictive diet and convince their audience, despite its lack of scientific evidence and potential health risks. 20 viral TikTok videos were analyzed from the two largest hashtags for the carnivore diet, #carnivore and #carnivorediet and the study investigates how content creators utilize the rhetorical appeals of ethos, logos, and pathos in a balanced interplay to create a compelling narrative and enhance the perceived legitimacy of the diet. The study also explores the role of social media creators as opinion leaders through the two-step flow model and the impact of electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) in spreading dietary trends. The findings of the study concludes that while creators often lack formal expertise, they establish authority and legitimacy through personal experience and confident delivery, appealing to shared values and aspirations. They also evoke emotions like hope and fear to persuade audiences, often resorting to extreme claims and unsubstantiated arguments. The study therefore highlights the power of rhetorical strategies in shaping public perceptions of diet and health, emphasizing the need for critical media literacy to navigate the complexities of online information and avoid the manipulation of false information.