Pollock Communications and Today’s Dietitian magazine did a survey to find from dietitians what they feel will be the food trend in 2022. Below is the results of this survey.
Dietitians on food trends 2022
The magazine Pollock Communications and Today’s Dietitian surveyed dietitians to gather some information about the likely food trends in 2022. 1200 dietitians from the USA undertook this study.
The general view of these diet experts was that in 2022 online shopping will continue. Snacking healthily is here to stay. People are not going to give it up anytime soon.
The nutrition experts feel that food innovations in this direction would greatly help people to make healthier choices about their snacks.
Snacking increased during the pandemic (Source: Food Navigator)Since the covid pandemic started in late 2019, people have become more cautious about their eating habits. They try to eat healthily and use foods and ‘superfoods’ to boost their immunity and elevate their mood.
Food products with functional ingredients such as hemp, collagen, and CBD have seen a rise in sales. Plants as a source of food are increasing in people’s diets. Louise Pollock, president of Pollock Communications states:
“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,”
Fermented foods such as Kimchi, yogurt, and sauerkraut use is rising.
Exotic fruits, seeds, nuts, blueberries, avocados, and green leafy vegetables are on the top list. Green tea demand is increasing. And ancient grains are doing a comeback for low-carb foods.
Fad diets? Snacks?
Fad diets especially those endorsed by celebrities will remain. Louise states:
“In reviewing the past decade of changes in food and nutrition, RDNs are most surprised by the overcorrection in diet culture – from fat-free everything to the rise of the high-fat, low-carb ketogenic diet,”
Fad diets will remain popular in 2022 (Source: Pinterest)Intermittent fasting and clean eating will also continue to be popular. Due to working from home, snacks as comfort foods rose in consumption. Hannah Kalet from the same surveying firm says:
“Brands looking to innovate would be wise to tap into products that provide both health benefits and the nostalgia and comfort people crave,”
Hannah continues:
“And, as classic comfort foods are in high demand, traditional flavors like mac and cheese, apple cinnamon and fruity cereal will find their way into products you may not expect – from your morning coffee to your evening bowl of ice cream.”
Already there are new products on this in the market. This includes vegan, gluten-free cookie dough that has added vitamins, collagen, and protein and the soda made with plant fiber, containing prebiotics and botanicals for digestive health.
Online shopping and the pseudoscience of social media
Online shopping rose with the pandemic. 90% of nutrition experts feel that this trend will continue. Marketers can use innovative ways online to woo customers onto this platform.
But many diet experts also feel that one needs to be careful and wary about the pseudoscience spreading rapidly on social media. Facebook and Instagram have been providing wrong information to their users.
And now TikTok had added to this misinformation spread. They added that do not listen to the diet advice from friends, relatives, or celebrities. Approach an approved and licensed dietitian for the proper advice.
Online shopping rose with the pandemic (Source: LS Retail)The common advice from all nutritionists worldwide is to have more helpings of vegetables and fruits in a day. One should limit eating ultra-processed foods and foods with high sugar content.
They should increase fiber intake and also reduce the consumption of saturated and trans-fats.