for Subscribers Only

January 31, 2025

Are Food Trends Keeping Us From Eating Better?

by Sheramy Tsai
BSN, RN

Kale smoothies, collagen lattes, adaptogen-packed snacks—healthy eating is a revolving door of trends promising better bodies, sharper minds, and longer lives. But as we jump from one "superfood" to the next, are we actually getting healthier, or just emptier in the wallet?

Chasing Health

Food trends aren't new. The low-fat craze of the '90s had us devouring sugar-packed "fat-free" snacks. By the 2010s, juice cleanses were hyped as detox miracles. Now, it's plant-based versus carnivore, each marketed as the ultimate solution for perfect health.

(Illustration by The Epoch Times, Lightspring/Shutterstock)

Trends are appealing, but they often overshadow the basics of balance, variety, and joy. And the basics work. Decades of research show that consistent, whole-food-based eating delivers real health benefits—no magic powders or shortcuts required.

Still, we're hooked on the next big thing. A 2022 Food Insight survey found that 52 percent of Americans followed a specific diet or eating pattern, up from 39 percent in 2021. Yet despite this focus on "healthy eating," most American diets remain highly processed.

According to the National Institutes of Health, ultra-processed foods made up 67 percent of the calories consumed by U.S. youth in 2018, up from 61 percent in 1999. These foods, often packed with calories and low in nutrients, are linked to rising rates of obesity and endless health issues.

At the same time, the global health-food market is booming. It was estimated to be worth $858.8 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow 9.4 percent annually through 2030. The industry is thriving, but are we?

The numbers don't look good. Obesity in the United States climbed to 41.9 percent between 2017 and 2020, up from 30.5 percent in 2000. Diabetes is surging, with global cases expected to hit 783 million by 2045, according to the International Diabetes Federation. Food trends make big promises but don't seem to be moving the needle on real health outcomes, at least at a population level.

Temptations and Traps

Food trends appeal to what we crave most: quick fixes for complex health problems. Whether it's rapid weight loss or the promise of a longer life, the allure is simple and powerful. Take intermittent fasting, for example. The practice of scheduled eating has gained a devoted following and is backed by promising research, but long-term studies show mixed results.

Social media fuels this frenzy. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are flooded with influencers pushing the latest "must-try" diets. A 2023 study in the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that 53 percent of Gen Z respondents relied on social media for health information, far more than older generations who still lean on traditional media.

Beyond the hype, food trends often complicate something as fundamental as eating. They tap into FOMO (fear of missing out) and our longing for connection, offering a sense of community through recipes, hashtags, or diet groups.

And then there's the cost. Many trendy foods and supplements are expensive, with little evidence they deliver meaningful health improvements. In the end, eating becomes less about nourishment and more like a constant experiment—expensive, overwhelming, and rarely sustainable.

A Simpler Approach

Maybe it's time to stop chasing trends and ask a simpler question: What does your body truly need? The answer isn't the same for everyone. What works for one person might fall flat for another. Only you can determine what feels right for you.

A 2022 study found that people's blood sugar levels reacted differently to the same foods. By tailoring diets to individuals, researchers improved blood sugar control and overall health, showing just how important personalized nutrition can be.

Your needs might shift with the seasons: lighter meals in the summer, heartier comfort foods in the winter. They might change as you age, adapt to where you live, or reflect new goals you're striving for. Sure, the research is clear: Avoiding sugar, processed foods, and alcohol benefits all of us. But beyond that, health is personal.

By tuning into these natural rhythms and paying attention to what feels nourishing, eating becomes less about chasing the next big thing and more about finding balance.

Health isn't a trend. It's a lifelong journey. And while fads come and go, the habits we build are what truly stand the test of time.

For past wellness newsletters, click here.

ADVERTISEMENT

Want to wake up with us every morning?
Subscribe to Rise & Shine.

Thank you for being a subscriber!

If you love this newsletter, please share it with your friends, and let them know they can sign up and browse all of our newsletters here.

Your Feedback

We'd love to hear from you. If you have any suggestions for us to improve or a wellness story that you'd like us to cover, you can email me at wellness@epochtimes.nyc
We may feature an excerpt of your response in the next newsletter.

You are receiving this email because you subscribed to The Epoch Times.

The information in this newsletter is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of many experts and journalists. The Epoch Times encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.

Terms & Conditions | Customer Service | Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe

About Admin MC3

This is dummy text. It is not meant to be read. Accordingly, it is difficult to figure out when to end it. But then, this is dummy text. It is not meant to be read. Period.

World Unsulved Mistery