Pollock Communications, a PR agency specializing in food, health, and wellness, and Today’s Dietitian, an independent source for news, information, research, and industry trends among nutrition professionals, released some insights gathered from their 10^th annual “What’s Trending in Nutrition” survey.
 
The survey, which recruited 1,173 Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs), emphasized predicting what to expect in health trends in 2022 and beyond. “With the focus on health and immunity in the next decade, and the increased popularity of plant-based eating, nutrient-dense options will be an important part of consumer diets, as they embrace food as medicine to help prevent disease,” Louise Pollock, president of Pollock Communications, said. “In addition, there will likely be an increased interest in functional foods containing ingredients that provide health benefits beyond their nutrient profile.”
 
The Top Trends
 
According to the pollsters, RDNs were most surprised by what they considered an overcorrection in diet culture, which shifted its emphasis from fat-free everything to the rise of high-fat, low-carb ketogenic dieting. Other notable trends and issues the RDNs indicated were most surprising included plant-based eating, the rise of nutrition misinformation from social media, gluten-free products, intermittent fasting, gut health and immunity connections, dairy-free and plant-based alternatives, vegetarian and vegan diets, online grocery shopping, and a multitude of fad diets which emerged.
 
Purchase Drivers
 
As a result of the pandemic, RDNs predict the top purchase drivers of 2022 will be foods and beverages that support immunity, are affordable and value-based, and promote comfort and well-being. RDNs also predicted that consumers will be looking for newer functional ingredients such as CBD, collagen, and hemp in 2022 and beyond, and that their popularity will continue to rise.
 
What’s in a Label
 
The top attributes consumers look for are convenience, health, and taste, in that order, the RDNs shared. This is followed by lower cost, and natural claims. Healthy claims first made the top three list in 2019.
 
Digital Markets
 
90% of RDNs said online food shopping was the biggest trend from the pandemic that they believe will continue, compelling markets to reimagine ways to reach consumers on digital shopping platforms. This includes more promotions, digital coupons, and immersive virtual branding experiences.
 
Snack Attack
 
Due to the pandemic, 95% of RDNs say consumers are snacking more as they are working from home. They also are experiencing an increased desire for comfort foods, they said.
 
Top 10 Superfoods of the Year
 
The top ten superfoods of 2022 were: fermented foods like yogurt or kimchi; blueberries; seeds such as chia and hemp; exotic fruit like acai and golden berries; avocados; green tea; nuts; ancient grains; leafy greens; and kale.
 
Bad Influence
 
RDNs expressed a concern that consumers are receiving the most nutrition information from social media, and it is important that they are wary about who to follow. Friends and family came in second, followed by celebrities at a close third. The top three sources of false nutrition news, according to RDNs, were Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, the third platform of which overtook blogs and vlogs for the number three spot.
 
Eyes on These Three Trends
 
According to RDNs, the most popular diet trends for 2022 are expected to be intermittent fasting, ketogenic, and clean eating.
 
Top Recommendation from RDNs
 
The most popular nutrition recommendation that RDNs said should be made to consumers is to eat more servings of vegetables per day. RDNs also recommended that consumers limit highly processed foods or fast food, as well as foods containing added sugars, increase fiber intake, and reduce saturated and trans-fats in the diet.
 
“The predictions of RDNs, the frontline experts in food and nutrition, are always reliable to help food and beverage manufacturers and marketers met the demands of consumers,” Mara Honicker, publisher of Today’s Dietitian, said. “We are pleased to have been able to share these insights for the past ten years and especially during this chaotic time in our lives, when food is playing such a major role in providing health, wellness, and emotional support.”