Food Trends for 2024: How They Impact Your Health
According to SHAHEDNEWS, As wellness professionals, staying informed about food trends isn't just a hobby—it's a necessity. Understanding how these trends impact the health of our clients can help us guide them toward better choices. Dr. Linia Patel (PhD, RD) sheds light on what we can expect in the new year as we explore some emerging trends in nutrition.
What’s Coming in 2024?
Every year, as the calendar flips, questions begin to flood in from the media: “What’s the latest in nutrition?” Trends in food are often predicted by teams of researchers, but there's also a lot of noise from social media influencers who may not always have the right credentials. Let's break down a few key trends we can expect this year.
Plant Power
The Trend: Plant-based eating has been popular for a while, and it’s here to stay in 2024. However, we're likely to see people becoming more discerning about their choices. Expect to hear calls for more variety in plant foods, especially as consumers push back against ultra-processed options often marketed as "plant-based."
The Science: Eating a wide variety of plant foods is crucial for our gut health. Research shows that people who consume about 30 different plant-based foods each week have more diverse gut bacteria than those who eat less variety. While being vegan isn’t the only path to health, incorporating different fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes is essential.
The Verdict: Embrace plant-based eating and focus on variety! Hit the grocery store and pick different items each week. Remember, while there’s no magic number, the more diverse your diet, the healthier you'll be.
Food and Mood
The Trend: The link between nutrition and mental health is gaining traction. Foods rich in omega-3s, antioxidants, and fiber are becoming popular for aiding mental wellbeing.
The Science: Research shows that following traditional diets like the Mediterranean diet can lower the risk of depression by 25-35% compared to typical highly processed diets. A healthy gut is essential since over 90% of serotonin receptors—the hormone that makes us feel happy—are located there.
The Verdict: Your gut health really influences how you feel. So let's rethink the old saying "You are what you eat" to "You are what your gut bacteria eat." Taking care of your gut means taking care of yourself.
Balance in Mediterranean diet
The Trend: Exclusive diets and calorie counting are fading, while balanced eating patterns, like the Mediterranean diet, are gaining popularity. The hashtag #mediterraneandiet is trending big time on platforms like TikTok.
The Science: The Mediterranean diet is proven to reduce the risk of heart disease and other health issues due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
The Verdict: As a dietitian, this gives me hope! A balanced approach to nutrition is sustainable and delicious. Think of food on a spectrum: more of certain foods, some of others, and less of a few. This flexible view makes it easier to make healthy eating a way of life rather than a restrictive diet.
Eat More, Eat Some, Eat Less Guide
Eat More | Eat Some | Eat Less |
Colorful vegetables (fresh & frozen) | White pasta and rice | Foods with added sugars |
Whole fruits (fresh & frozen) | Red meat | Fast foods |
Beans and lentils | Saturated fats (like butter) | Ultra-processed foods |
Whole grains | Processed meats | Refined vegetable oils |
Plain yogurt | ||
Lean proteins | ||
Unsalted nuts & seeds | ||
Avocado | ||
Extra virgin olive oil | ||
Spices & herbs |
It’s Personal
The Trend: A cookie-cutter approach to health isn't enough anymore. Personalised nutrition is emerging, targeting individual health needs through technology, test kits, and wearables.
The Science: Companies like Zoe are combining blood sugar and gut bacteria tests to create tailored nutritional advice. However, while personalization is exciting, more research is needed to fully understand its impact.
The Verdict: Personalised nutrition is important; we all have unique bodies and needs. But let's remember, technology in nutrition is still developing. If you choose to use tools like Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs), remember to look at the bigger picture—many factors can influence your glucose levels.
Takeaway Message
In the end, remember that there's no magic solution to health and wellness. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Individual needs vary, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to dietary choices. As wellness professionals, let’s guide our clients toward informed, balanced decisions that can lead to lasting health.
Stay curious, stay informed, and embrace these trends to help you and your clients thrive in 2024!
