The nutrition industry is constantly changing, with many new food trends emerging year after year. Some of these trends come and go, but there are some that nutritionists say will be here to stay in the New Year.
Although you may not see a trending diet on this list, you will find dietary trends that will actually make a difference for your health in 2023. Just because these trends are popular now, does not mean that these trends will not have a big impact on our health.
So let’s dive in to find out exactly what experts say you can keep your eye on in 2023. Read on, and to learn more, don’t miss Why Most New Year’s Resolutions Fail by February & How to Make You Last.
Eat more plants
You don’t have to be completely vegan to be considered plant-based, and simply adding plants to your diet has many benefits on its own.
“A plant-based diet is still growing in popularity as one of the biggest health food trends, and is likely to continue until 2023 as a more cost-effective way of eating. According to research, a plant-based lifestyle is associated with improved blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and weight a healthier body. You don’t have to be completely vegetarian to reap these potential benefits – you can start small by including 1-2 meatless meals per week and go from there,” encourages Melissa Mitri, MS, RD from Melissa Mitri Nutrition.
Sustainable seafood sources
Sustainable and wild-caught seafood is on the rise as more consumers seek higher quality products. Opting for wild-caught Alaskan salmon or sustainably farmed Argentinian Seabass are two of the most sustainable seafood.
“Sustainably sourced and produced food has gained significant momentum, and I predict it will continue to do so in 2023. From sustainably sourced seafood and a focus on plant-based options, there are many ways you can support your health and the planet. , according to Sarah Anzlovar, MS, RDN, LDNIntuitive Nutrition for Moms.
Eat more pulses
Nuts, beans, and lentils are all pulses and have been shown to improve health in many ways. From the Blue Zone to the Mediterranean Diet, healthy populations around the world include pulses regularly, and they’re here to stay in 2023.
“Pulse is a great addition for 2023! Include half a cup of pulse daily for your health: improves gut health, stabilizes blood sugar and lowers blood pressure. If you’re not a fan of texture, white beans can be blended and added to soups and casseroles for texture creamy that is still packed with nutrients,” Amanda Lane, MS, RD, CDCES of Healthy Lane Nutrition explains.
Focus on family dinners
Dani Lebovitz, MS, RDN, CSSD, CDCESfood literacy expert in Franklin, Tennesee, and founder of Kid Food Explorers tells us why family dinners are trending in 2023: “While the surge in family meals that occurred during the height of the pandemic was somewhat of a failure, the expected trend for 2023 is more meals prepared at homes due to rising food costs and inflation,” Lebovitz said.
He continues, “As research suggests, the return to family meals also aligns with other food-related trends: pushing diet culture to help children develop a healthy relationship with food. Family meals with responsive parenting practices and a supportive eating environment can shape children’s positive beliefs, attitudes, and lifelong eating habits.”
Shop food subscription service
Meal kits have been around for a long time, but new specialty meal box services are popping up for almost any type of food. From coffee and wine to pasture-raised meats and produce boxes, you can subscribe and get customized products delivered right to your door.
Some of the companies we expect to continue to grow in 2023 are:
Eat intuitively
According to the CDC, during the pandemic, there was an increase in eating disorder cases in emergency departments from 2019-2022. Intuitive nutrition and non-diet approaches have become more popular among consumers in recent years. We expect to see this trend continue in 2023 as people seek help for their eating disorders or disordered eating behaviors.
With the rise of intuitive eating, people are moving away from dieting and trying to find a balanced way of eating. We know that years of dieting have a direct impact on our mental health and can create a disordered relationship with food. Seeking help and working towards a positive relationship with food is a trend we can get behind!
Incorporating cultural foods
A study in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition was released in December 2021 stating that there is a lack of diversity among nutrition professionals. Many dietitians have since come forward expressing the need to represent all backgrounds in the field of nutrition, and also in the foods that dietitians recommend to their patients and clients.
“Finding multicultural foods continues to be a trend and priority in retail and institutional foodservice. This can provide opportunities to increase dietary diversity through new types of root vegetables or legumes and incorporating more herbs and spices, which are full of polyphenols that act as antioxidants and fueling our gut microbiota. This trend can also help ensure that as many people as possible are included in conversations about nutrition and health because they see their culture represented and embraced,” the registered dietitian said. Christina Badaracco, MPH, RDN, LDN tell us
Choose the ‘homestead lifestyle’
Farm-to-table takes on a whole new meaning here. Homesteading is the practice of growing your own food and raising your own animals at home. During the pandemic, we have seen a huge increase in people moving from cities. Home cultivation, or home gardening, is on the rise after being at home more during the pandemic.
Nutritionists Lara Clevenger MSH, RDN, CPT notes, “I really like to see the homesteading trend increase. Growing your own fruits and vegetables, raising your own livestock and forming a community with homesteaders or other local farmers is changing people’s lifestyles to a slower pace of life. You can control the quality of produce, how humans are raised, and the quality of meat or dairy you eat.”
Choose recycled food products
Recycled food uses products that should have gone to waste. Think fruit skins, vegetable pulp and fiber extracted from plants. Just because these would be wasted, doesn’t mean they don’t offer a lot of nutrition!
Recycled products turning imperfect produce or food that would otherwise go to waste into delicious, edible snacks is just one way you can support your health and the health of the planet,” says Anzlovar.
Examples of recycled products appear everywhere. We love ReGrained because it reuses grain from the brewing process and produces a highly nutritious flour. Likewise, The Ugly Company turns discarded fruit into dried fruit snacks.
Stay up to date with food labels
A few years ago, we saw Nutrition Facts change with the “Added Sugar” line. Now, we may start seeing products labeled “Healthy” if they meet a certain set of requirements. That is, products must be whole grains, low in fat, added sugar, and salt to qualify for the new label according to a release from the FDA this fall.
Consumers are increasingly investing in the quality of their food, and food companies are listening. Keep an eye out for new nutrition labels in 2023 to keep up with the latest trends in the industry.
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