5 Trends Redefining Nutrition

Audiences are looking for nutrition content that supports more choices and achievable goals. The Healthline Nutrition team explains how these insights resonate in their own lives. 

As 2022 gets underway, it’s no surprise that consumer audiences are interested in healthy eating. But this year’s five top trends go deeper, revealing unique audience motivations, needs, and expectations that will define nutrition throughout the year. We sat down with some of the Healthline Nutrition editorial team to hear their perspectives and learn about how these trends have shown up in their own experiences. 

Hungry for What’s New in Nutrition

Nutrition is a top wellness category in 2022. Data from our Future of Wellness report shows that of all the wellness categories — nutrition, fitness, sleep, and mental health — people are by far most interested to see innovations in healthy eating. 

We asked the Healthline Nutrition team about the most exciting trends and innovations they see in nutrition today — not just in terms of eating apps and smart scales, but also the conceptual shifts that are leading the way toward a new definition of nutrition. 

Expecting More from Food 

Today, audiences expect more from their food choices. They aren’t just looking to satisfy their appetites but are actively considering which ingredients and meal types will do more: boost immunity, increase hydration, feed their gut microbiome, improve mood, and much more. 

We asked the Healthline Nutrition team what kind of potential they see for what’s on their plates. What do they want from what they eat? 

Taking Bite-Size Steps Toward Goals

Changes in nutrition habits don’t happen overnight, but just about everyone can do one small thing per day to eat better. Audiences increasingly look for and expect content that provides realistic guidance based on small steps — which is ultimately a more motivating and effective way to work toward those bigger goals. 

The Healthline Nutrition team explains what works for them to stay motivated and improve their nutrition habits. 

I believe small changes are key when it comes to nutrition. A big overhaul tends to backfire, especially if it means cutting out all your favorite foods. I love focusing on what I can add to my diet, rather than something to take away. — Lisa Valente, MS, RD, Senior Editor, Nutrition 

A small step that has helped me is focusing on adding vegetables or fruit at every meal. What keeps me motivated is embracing the idea that food is a way that I nurture and nourish my body. — Brooke Mathe, MS, CSCS, Wellness Integrity Manager

Choosing More Sustainable Eating

In 2022, sustainability is becoming a key factor in how people think about their food purchasing decisions. Sustainable eating has many facets, from locally sourced ingredients to minimal packaging. As demand for eco-friendly yet affordable food grows, there’s hope that this demand will help make these options more accessible to more people. 

We asked the Healthline Nutrition team what they prioritize in terms of sustainable food choices. 

Demanding More Diversity in Diets

It’s not hard to find content that treats nutrition as one-size-fits-all. But at this point, people are fed up with seeing diet recommendations that don’t attempt to take their full individuality into consideration. For content to stand out to audiences today, it needs to acknowledge and strive to meet the needs of different audiences: their cultural differences, unique health goals, eating limitations and preferences, and more. 

The Healthline Nutrition team shared what they wanted to see more of in nutrition guidance in 2022: 

I'd like to see more diversity in nutrition — acceptance of and ability to adapt dietary guidelines to different eating preferences, habits, traditions, cultures, etc. And less of a rigid focus on following strict rules or programs, with more of an emphasis on building sustainable, long-term healthy habits. — Aubrey Wood, Editorial Director 

It seems like there is so much conflicting information out there, and so many people giving advice who don't necessarily have the qualifications to do so. I appreciate seeing science-backed information from trusted sources, which is one excellent aspect of Healthline Nutrition's content. — Jill Campbell, Copy Editor

How Healthline Aims to Inspire Audiences 

To inspire audiences to read content, enjoy it, and take action, Healthline Nutrition leads the way in meeting the audience expectations expressed in these five trends. The team provides cutting-edge content on innovations and shifts in nutrition, as well as insight into how to make sustainable choices and eat food that provides extra benefits. 

From the start, this vertical’s bigger goal has been to democratize wellness and make it achievable for more people. That includes providing step-by-step guidance, speaking to unique audience differences, and making it possible for readers to take action right away, in their own way. In 2022 and beyond, Healthline is here to help people take the next steps with nutrition. 

For more information on Healthline Nutrition or to learn how we can work together to empower audiences to eat well, contact your Healthline Media representative or email us today.