Opinions about what a healthy diet consists of have changed over the years. As nutritional science finds more benefits in certain kinds of foods while pointing out the dangers of others, people have been forced to see things differently. So, what do the people think a healthy diet represents today?
Opinions are almost unanimous when it comes to the fact that people are moving away from a meat-centric diet towards a more plant-centric one. Many people are becoming more aware of the health benefits of a more plant-based diet, such as better weight management, lower cholesterol/lipid levels, better digestion, and less environmental impact.
As people become more educated on foods, they are also becoming more educated on what foods are best for them as individuals. Everyone has different needs, which is why personalized nutrition is beginning to catch on. It goes as far as to look at an individual’s genetics and testing how they respond to different foods so that a personalized nutritional plan can be developed for them.
More people are learning to listen to their body when it comes to when and how much to eat. Intuitive eating is being taught by some dietitians as a means of being more in tune with the body and therefore choose healthier foods. It is believed that this can also help do away with emotional eating or eating out of boredom or stress.
Eating healthy means starting with quality ingredients, and where those ingredients come from is becoming more important to people. There is a large emphasis on local and sustainably-sourced foods because of their positive impacts on the environment. Local food doesn’t travel as far to get to you, which reduces vehicle emissions and delivers a healthier piece of food.
As more people become aware of how much of a difference a healthy diet can have on the way they feel these trends may become more appealing to more people.
