Healthy Living Trends

Never before have ideas about how to live a healthy life been so airborne. While many people try to incorporate various health rituals into their lives in the hope of feeling good, healthy, balanced and energised, a new trend emerges every year.

In 2023:

Ancient mindfulness practices such as mindfulness and meditation, which support our mental health, make their mark.
Diet cola has suffered a major setback.
Magnesium has never been more popular.
Fitness has not lost any of its value this year.
And the importance of a plant-based diet weighed heavily.
Ayurvedic lifestyles and supplements began to enter our lives.
So what will happen in 2024?

Which Health Trends are In, Which are Out This Year?

Members of the Forbes Health Advisory Board have shared their predictions for the food, exercise and healthy living trends that are starting to take hold in 2024, and we’ve compiled them for you…

Plant Based Nutrition

In 2023, plant-based diets will be all the rage. While the #plantbased hashtag received 1 billion views in the US in the last 12 months, the #plantbasedrecipes hashtag received 200 million views in 2023. Experts predict that plant-based diets will continue to grow in popularity in 2024.

Jackie Newgent, a highly respected nutritionist, chef and award-winning cookbook author, says that from now on our eating habits will be guided by “plant-based products with natural ingredients made from healthy vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds and other plants”:

“All of these foods will have a better impact on our health than ultra ‘processed’ products, even if they are plant-based,” he adds.

Nutritionist Carolyn O’Neil takes a similar view: “Fake meats will lose their appeal as more people perceive them as ultra-processed,” she says.

Despite these views, some experts believe that the synthetic meat industry will continue to capitalise on the plant-based trend.

Protein

In 2023, the concept of “macronutrients” was emphasised. Macronutrients are the food components that the body needs to repair and maintain its activities. Protein was one of the most popular macronutrients in 2023. According to TikTok data, #highprotein has been viewed by 2 billion Americans in the last 12 months. Indeed, many of the members of the Forbes Health Advisory Board sharing their predictions note that protein’s popularity won’t be waning anytime soon, especially as plant-based proteins become more popular.

O’Neil stressed that “the interest in and marketing of plant-based proteins is only going to increase”.

One of the groups that should increase their protein intake is older adults, who need a lot of protein in their diets, according to renowned nutritionist and bestselling cookbook author Toby Amidor. Amidor:

“If the trend is to increase protein in older adults, as a nutritionist I applaud that because protein is under-consumed, especially in this age group.”

The protein source that Amidor predicts will be trending in 2024 is “fish, fish and more fish!”

Felicia Stoler, another well-known nutritionist and exercise physiologist, says that although she recommends plant-based protein powders, she hopes that whole foods such as nuts, seeds and legumes, which also provide fibre, will increase the consumption of plant-based proteins.

“In general, proteins will be a nutrient in demand because of their association with weight control and muscle strength in athletes and older adults,” says O’Neil:

“But in my role, I need to be reminded of the disadvantages of too much protein.”

Holistic Nutrition

One trend that may be on the wane, according to experts, is specific and strict diets such as keto and intermittent fasting.

Instead, healthier, more flexible eating plans, such as the Mediterranean diet, are expected to grow in popularity. As evidence of this, the hashtag #mediterreneanfood was viewed by an impressive 76 million Americans on TikTok last year.

“I expect to see a greater emphasis on well-rounded, sustainable diets like the Mediterranean diet,” says gastroenterologist Michael Bass.

“Research shows that this is the best way to eat.”

“The appeal of the Mediterranean diet will continue as more people discover the win-win relationship between taste and health,” adds O’Neil.

“Nutritionists continue to recommend it as one of the best for optimal health and enjoyment, allowing people to make it a lifestyle, not a short-term diet fad.”

Sustainability

“Natural farming, eco-friendly packaging and other climate-friendly practices will continue to gain momentum due to our growing climate crisis,” says Newgent.

Indeed, many Forbes Health Advisory Board members point to sustainable practices in food coming to the fore in 2024, while TikTok data shows that #foodwaste was viewed 88 million times in the US in 2023, with videos showing how to make your food last longer and how to make the most of leftovers.

Stoler also notes that upcycling and reusing food will be a trend in 2024, with materials traditionally considered waste being used for other finished food products.

Group Exercise

In the post-pandemic world, experts note that individuals are embracing group exercise and social sports, and that the sense of community provides a range of benefits beyond exercise. Collective games such as pickleball have become hugely popular and are expected to reach 459 million US views on TikTok by 2023.

“Social sports like tennis, pickleball and golf are going to be more and more in the schedules of retirees and telecommuters/hybrid workers,” says O’Neil.

“I think the popularity of group exercise will continue to grow after the pandemic as more people want to interact with other people,” adds Collier.

“I think more people are realising the importance of having real, deep human connections and being part of a community.” Collier predicts that the move towards more face-to-face interaction rather than virtual activities will be another big trend.

Other Trends to Watch

Members of the Forbes Health Advisory Board also predict that the popularity of dietary supplements will continue to grow in 2024, with particular emphasis on the following:

Creatine
Ashwagandha
Berberine
Matcha
Mushrooms and mushroom powders
Marine Collagen and Seaweed
NAD Supplements
Magnesium Supplements
Vitamin D Supplements
Anti-Ageing and Brain Health Supplements
Astaxanthin
Kolin

In addition, other areas of interest cited by experts as trends to watch in 2024 include

Nervous system regulation
Stress management
Sleep
Emotional health
Personalised wearable technology
Mindfulness studies

Navigating the world of wellness trends can be difficult, as social media channels are full of influencers and unaccredited ‘experts’ making claims that are not always backed up by evidence.

Always consult your doctor before implementing any health trend you read or hear about in the media into your own life.

Forbes gave Collier the last word on the subject:
“If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.”

“There is no magic bullet when it comes to health and wellness. So if something sounds like a quick fix, it probably won’t give you the long-term results you’re looking for. Also, if anything is recommended as ‘good for everyone’, that should also cause concern. We are all very individual and there is no one perfect diet, perfect food or perfect exercise routine.”