It was an absolute pleasure writing for you in 2023 and I really hope you enjoyed reading my work as much as I enjoyed writing it for you.
That said, I’m excited to look through my diet binoculars again to look ahead to 2024 and comment on the trends the new year is expected to usher in.
And by nutrition diopters, what I really mean is taking advantage of some great market predictions from Whole Foods Market Trends Council recently released forecasts.
I went through each of their ten picks and was very pleased with what I saw because I think it bodes well for the health and flourishing of the general public.
For the sake of today’s article, I’ve selected what I believe to be the five most interesting and relevant industry trends to offer my thoughts and professional insights.
Should these trends be on your radar and why?
Let’s find out!
Trend #1 – Purely plant based
In order to cater to a market that is increasingly interested in plant-based nutrition as well as the content of those products, it appears that plant-based producers will shift to more product offerings that have simplified, shorter ingredient lists.
My thoughts
My belief is that this has the potential to be a good trend that can increase consumer loyalty and trust in plant-based meat alternatives.
I should also add that a short ingredient list does not automatically make a product better for you.
If you’re looking for plant-based meat alternatives, look for soy or pea protein to be one of the first 2-3 ingredients, as these are the highest quality sources of plant protein.
Also know that ingredients are listed by quantity, so the first few ingredients in a product likely represent most of the material it’s made of – visualizing it this way can help you better identify what a product is.
My take on this trend is that it may be more about looks than actual nutritional value, but that I’m generally okay with it because it aligns with consumer concerns in this area.
Trend #2 – The return of cocoa
Cacao is a true nutritional powerhouse, and it appears that in 2024 Whole Foods predicts that cacao will appear as a functional ingredient in a wider range of food products.
My thoughts
I’m all for it.
Cocoa and dark chocolate in general fall into a very interesting category, because while they aren’t necessarily “essential” for health – they do contain a number of uniquely beneficial compounds.
I personally regularly pair dark chocolate with nuts and fruit as an afternoon snack and often recommend similar to my clients who enjoy these foods.
Dark chocolate and cocoa, for example, are among the relatively few foods that contain multiple compounds from the polyphenol and flavonoid families—which are known to exert positive effects on multiple body systems, including the gut microbiome.
Not only that, but dark chocolate is also a source of essential nutrients like magnesium, calcium and potassium – which many people lack AND which help lower blood pressure, a common health concern.
We can’t go wrong with this trend, I’ve been a fan of dark chocolate and cocoa for a while.
Trend #3 – Buck Wild for Buckwheat
Buckwheat is a nutritional starch with a low glycemic index and is likely to increase in popularity and market presence in part due to the fact that it is naturally gluten-free.
Let’s be clear that being “gluten-free” does not automatically make a wheat or product superior, but it does serve people who cannot consume gluten.
If you’ve never seen or tasted it before, it looks a lot like brown rice visually, but it’s also widely used in flour form in various products and baked goods.
My thoughts
One of the great joys of food and nutrition is the novelty and variety associated with trying new things.
If you’ve never tried them before, buckwheat and buckwheat flour are absolutely a fun way to mix up your kitchen game while also bringing a very strong nutritional profile to the table.
Whenever a healthy carb source gets attention, I’m happy simply because of the negativity that is sometimes attached to carb intake through social media and other means.
This is a cool trend that has me excited to work this grain into my rotation.
Buckwheat is a great source of magnesium and fiber by the way!!
Trend #4 – Flipping the Fish Script
Statistically speaking, many people don’t eat fish, and if they do, they don’t necessarily eat a lot.
The problem is that the fish are ONLY dietary source of the important long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA & DHA.
If you want to learn more about why these compounds are so important and why you probably need an omega-3 supplement if you’re not a big fish eater, read my post on the subject.
Even so, growing interest in plant-based food options may change the way consumers view fish in the coming year.
Plant-based fish products, such as vegan smoked salmon, have also entered the market and are opening more doors for vegans and vegetarians.
My thoughts
There are a few layers here.
Fish technically require less land and water use than other conventional animal feeds – something that some consumers pay more attention to.
The degree to which plant-based fish products replicate these unique nutritional characteristics will be something to watch out for, and you’ll definitely want to make sure the product you’re using contains EPA & DHA if you’re relying on that instead of a supplement or actual fish.
I have seen products in the US that contain these compounds and products in Canada that do not, but I am not yet an expert in this market space.
Trend #5 – Spicing Things Up
There appears to be a growing interest in the culinary use of fresh and dried (spice mixes) peppers from various world and cultural sources.
My thoughts
I’m all for this trend – especially because it encourages creativity in the kitchen and the exploration of cultural foods and ingredients.
The reality is that herb and spice blends and the foods they come from are conceptually very similar to products like cocoa and dark chocolate.
If you don’t like them, you don’t need to use them much, but they definitely offer what I would consider “bonus health benefits.”
Herbs and spices tend to have significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, so their usefulness goes beyond taste and aesthetics.
On a personal level, my kitchen game is as good as it’s been in a while purely because I’ve immersed myself in the world of spices – I hope you’ll consider doing the same in 2024.
Are you ready to make 2024 your healthiest year yet?
Whether you enjoy high-level discussions about the nuances of nutrition science or are simply looking for a path with less rigid nutritional guidance to achieve your health goals, I can help.
Get in touch today through my contact form and let me know what your most pressing concerns are.
I will answer you in the same way that I believe working with me can help you address these concerns on your way to making 2024 your healthiest year yet.
Until then,
Andy De Santis RD MPH
