Happy New Year! Now is the perfect time to explore what wellness trends will be on the rise in 2024. As a dietitian, I stay on top of the latest health trends so I can provide the most up-to-date, evidence-based care to my clients.
Here are my top 10 predictions for wellness trends in 2024:
AI Driven Customized Nutrition:
Dietitians can input an individual's dietary preferences, health goals, allergies, and restrictions for AI to create customized meal plans in a few minutes. This can help dietitians design more tailored and sustainable dietary recommendations for their clients.
Revamped Food Delivery:
The pandemic created a huge increase in food delivery services, but in 2024, we may see some changes to this sector. Some of the changes I predict include more self-delivery robots and possible adjustments to the pricing structure. A survey from Datassential's 2024 Food Trends report revealed that half of consumers agree that delivery is too expensive, and 39% admit to abandoning their cart when they see the final price.
Elegant Wearable Health Tracking Devices:
Devices like this GEMA Wellness Tracker from duoveo are non-intrusive and beautiful, helping you achieve your wellness goals efficiently with style.
Psychedelic Treatments for Wellbeing:
There is emerging research about the usage of psychedelic drugs for mood and eating disorders. The research indicates that some types of psychedelic drugs, such as psilocybin and MDMA, have shown promise as therapies for treatment-resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa.
Nutrigenomics:
Advances in technology and understanding of genetics could lead to more personalized nutrition plans tailored to individual needs, based on factors like genetic makeup, gut health, and lifestyle. This is a service I currently offer to my 1-1 clients, so if you are interested, learn more here.
Weight Loss Injectable Medications:
According to this CNN article “About 1.7% of people in the US have been prescribed a semaglutide medication in 2023, up 40-fold over the past five years, according to data shared exclusively with CNN by Epic Research that was based on an analysis of millions of electronic health records.” It’s likely these numbers will increase as more research is available. The Datassential's 2024 Food Trends report also noted that 14% of consumers expressed increased interest in GLP-1 prescription drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy.
Face-to-Face Community Connection:
After years of isolation during the pandemic, in 2024, people may finally feel comfortable reconnecting in person. In fact, research studying individuals living in Blue Zones (regions with exceptional longevity) highlights the profound impact of community connection on health. These areas demonstrate that strong social ties, shared values, and a sense of belonging contribute significantly to residents' overall well-being, emphasizing the importance of fostering meaningful relationships for a healthier and longer life.
Sustainable and Ethical Eating:
Increasing awareness of environmental issues will lead to a continued emphasis on sustainable and locally sourced foods. Consumers show a growing interest in supporting businesses that prioritize ethical and environmentally friendly practices. Some of my favorite sustainable brands are Scout Seafood, Vital Farms and Nature's Path. Another way to make sustainable choices is to look for the following easy to find labels when grocery shopping:
Accessible & Virtual Lab Services:
Services like the Lifeforce membership provide at-home lab services, which makes monitoring your health easier than ever. This is likely to be popular because it can be hard to get into a doctor's office, and they may not always test the comprehensive metrics you want to explore.
Digital Detox Retreats:
With increased screen time, there has been a growing awareness of the need for digital detoxification. This involves taking breaks from electronic devices to reduce stress and improve overall well-being. I actually did a digital detox retreat in 2022 and couldn't recommend it highly enough! The retreat I did was with Tommy Sobel from Brick, and he also has an online course to help you with your relationship with your phone!
Embracing these trends not only keeps us in sync with the latest advancements but also empowers us to make choices that enhance our well-being. Whether it's the personalized touch of AI-driven nutrition or the embrace of sustainable and ethical eating, the coming year holds endless possibilities for a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Here's to a year of nourishing the body, mind, and spirit. Wishing you a vibrant and wellness-filled 2024!