People have become more conscious of their food choices than ever. Intermittent fasting and weight loss medications have been buzzing for quite some time.
The latest trends in nutrition show the expected shift to healthy and better-for-you foods. People are way more concerned about the components of their foods, and their preference is inclining towards plant-based foods and shunning alcohol. Busy lifestyles and a growing number of health concerns are making people hunt for fiber-rich foods that are healthy for their gut.
Apart from the food they eat, they also wish to know how it is procured and whether their consumption is sustainable for the environment. These changing preferences gave us an interesting idea for this blog. The article below uncovers the top nutrition trends in 2024.
Going Strictly Sugarless
The population is becoming smarter and more aware of food labels as they are more conscious of their sugar intake. They know sellers use confusing names, such as ‘no refined sugar,’ for sugar substitutes in their products. So, the demand for food items with natural sweeteners is rising.
Food manufacturers are finding recipes with sugar alternatives such as dates, agave nectar, honey, dried fruits, maple syrup, and coconut sugar. Products containing artificial sweeteners like Diet Soda, low-sugar juices, and ice cream will suffer a significant blow.
Focus on Quality of Protein Along with Quantity
Complete proteins with all the essential amino acids, such as casein in milk, eggs, meat, and whey protein, are digested quickly and are in high demand now. They are great for older adults and athletes for muscle strength and for people who wish to lose weight.
Dieticians suggest a diet rich in lean protein, complex carbs, healthy fats, and fiber. Vegetarians prefer rice, beans, hummus, peanut butter, soya, mushrooms, legumes, and quinoa with lentils to fulfill their protein requirement. Vegans are turning to alternatives to fish with jackfruit and tofu.
So, there is expected to be an increase in demand for high-protein snacks like nuts, tempeh, yogurt, protein pancakes, and oatmeal. This trend is also animal-friendly and cost-effective since plant-based protein sources cost less.
Preference for Plant-Based Foods
A recent study proved that a plant-based diet is a healthier alternative to an omnivorous one. It showed that vegans experienced lower LDL cholesterol, insulin resistance, and weight gain compared to non-vegetarians.
There has been an evident shift from ultra-processed foods to wholesome veggies, pulses, nuts, and seeds. Even though the media has popularised plant-based meats and synthetic fish-mimicking products, health experts are still unsure if some are healthy. Overall, people are searching for plant-based recipes more often now.
In addition, the demand for sauces, marinades, and condiments increases as they brighten up food. Kale, chimichurri, basil pesto, balsamic vinegar, and lemon vinaigrette are now highly appealing to food lovers.
Sustainable Eating
There has been an inclination towards recycling food that would be otherwise discarded. Many Americans are searching for ideas to make their food last longer or reuse unused foods to make something interesting and better. Also, people are finding new interests in composting to improve bio-diversity and soil health.
With the growing climate crisis, there is an enhanced focus on consuming locally grown produce rather than importing food products that involve high transportation costs and cause environmental pollution.
Also, an excessive focus has been made on environmentally conscious packaging as people today are heavily shunning plastics and non-biodegradable products.
Increased Consumption of Prebiotics/Probiotics
Many Americans have been struggling with gut issues. Like plant-based diets that ensure a healthy gut microbiome, so as the prebiotic fiber and fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, fermented cheese, sauerkraut, tempeh, miso, pickled vegetables, and beverages like kombucha tea. Prebiotic fiber foods such as bananas, asparagus, garlic, onions, and oats help multiply the healthy bacteria in the gut.
Again, you can see an increasing demand for functional beverages that meet your body’s hydration needs. Check this article on why water is essential for optimal health. Drinks with added electrolytes, vitamins, and collagen to improve skin health are increasing sales more than ever.
Focus on Mental Health
Do you know that gut bacteria can produce dopamine and serotonin in the brain, which means your gut also affects your mental health?
So, people worry about their gut health to keep their minds clear and stay motivated. Continuing the 2023 trends, many Gen Zs have made mental health their New Year's resolution this year.
Many new start-ups have started producing food labeled ‘Good for your brain performance’ rather than the adage ‘Good for your health’!
More Sustainable Weight Loss Diets
Keto and Intermittent Fasting were popular for a while. You might have expected the trend to continue, but that is not true anymore. Instead, people are keener on exploring more sustainable diets, such as the Mediterranean diet.
This diet is the perfect balance of taste and health, which means it is not just another fad diet. A study on Mediterranean and vegetarian diets showed that they are great for maintaining hormones and ensuring an ideal energy balance in the body.
Also, certain minerals and vitamins, like Vitamin K2, are essential to maintain energy balance and promote heart and bone health. Therefore, people are drifting away from crash diets, which causes them to suffer due to the loss of essential vitamins and nutrients.
Demand for Personalised Health Plans
Many are more open to trying personalized health coaching than unthinkingly following a popular diet. People have become more aware of their health needs, especially after the pandemic.
Those with diabetes and even others are increasingly watching their blood sugar levels. Blood sugar plays a crucial role in weight loss and maintaining overall health.
Emphasis on Transparent Food Labelling
Gone are the days when companies outrightly claimed their products were the best with random labels like ‘rich in vitamins’ or ‘natural.’ Governments are getting stricter about being more transparent with their claims so that consumers are not misled.
Following France, there have been talks in South America about adopting the Nutri-Score labels, which would rate different food products in terms of their nutrition content from A-E. The trend will impact how grocery stores promote, and restaurants sell their recipes.
Preferring Mocktails More than Cocktails
People prefer alcohol-free beverages to cocktails now, and they are limiting it to social gatherings. Some mocktails taste more or less like alcohol, so people might want to avoid paying the price as long as they enjoy a drink.
Demand for Weight Loss Medications
Semaglutide, the generic name for Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy, has become popular among Americans since its approval in 2017. It is a well-known prescription drug for weight loss.
Sales of this drug are hitting records, with rising demand for weight loss medications. The trends are confirmed by the financial statements of Novo Nordisk, the Danish company that manufactures Ozempic. In 2023, Novo Nordisk's total revenue was $21.1 billion.
Conclusion
There have been many positive changes in how people perceive their nutritional needs and food intake. Long-standing unhealthy habits are getting the much-needed jolt, and people are more thoughtful about the environmental implications of what they eat.
So, you can expect a more sustainable future as people opt for healthy plant-based foods, local produce, and more environment-friendly packaging.