As we head into the new year, physical and mental health is more important than ever before. It has been a rough few years for everyone, but one thing is for certain: health is taking the front seat, with technology helping to change the way fitness and workouts are performed.
This report includes information about the upcoming trends in 2022 for both diet and fitness.
Part 1 – Diet and Nutrition
When it comes to dieting, there are always trends that stick around, trends that are brand new, and trends that simply shift in the perspective or the science.
For 2022, there is a mix of all three. You can expect some people to give up “dieting” all together and choose a more intuitive approach to their nutrition, while others might look at completely new ways of eating, like plant-based.
Intuitive Eating and Anti-Dieting
While not everyone in 2022 is going to identify their eating habits as “intuitive eating” this is definitely a trend that is becoming more popular.
In the last few years, we saw people become more aware of diet culture and certain ways of eating that were doing more harm than good. One of the leading trends in 2022will likely be even more people looking at listening to their body a little more, and not restricting foods unless they truly just are not interested in them or can’t eat them because of a food allergy.
You can see even celebrities and other influential people talking about how they are trying to heal their relationship with food, and learn how to listen to their body’s cues a little more.
Greens Power
One of the nutrition-related trends that started in 2020 and has only gotten more popular since then, is greens. Greens powder is a type of powder that includes a powdered version of vitamins and supplements intended to help you get your veggies.
Many nutritionists and dieticians have mentioned it should not be used to completely replace eating vegetables, but it can be a good supplement.
While they vary, your greens powder might have:
- Vegetables like leafy greens, broccoli, carrots, or tomatoes
- Wheatgrass and alfalfa grass
- Fruits like acai berries and blueberries
- Spirulina, seaweed, and kelp
And various other nutrients, such as probiotics, green tea extract, and ginkgo biloba. Some greens powders are also sweetened with monk fruit or Stevia.
Plant-Based
Going plant-based or switching to a vegan diet aren’t new by any means, but they do seem to be picking up again in popularity. It has also taken on many different forms, including being more plant-forward where you still eat some animal products but far less, people who eat plant-based 90 percent of the time, and others who go full vegan.
Another reason why it has been popular and will continue to be a diet trend in 2022 is because of how accessible plant-based alternative foods are. This includes the rising popularity of plant milks like oat milk and cashew milk, as well as dairy-free cheeses and butters, and many foods that taste just like the meat alternative, but are still vegan.
Foods for Specific Uses
Continuing on to other diet trends in 2022, you have food categories that are meant to help with specific issues. For example, you see a lot of foods that are catering towards people who want to improve their beauty, foods to boost immunity, and foods for gut health.
You might see elimination diets related to these categories, or simply advertising of select foods to add to your current diet. For example, some foods that are good for boosting your immunity are:
- Yogurt
- Elderberry
- Citrus fruit
- Oysters
- Wheat germ
- Red bell peppers
- Broccoli
- Ginger
- Leafy greens
Bottled Alcoholic Drinks
We aren’t talking about traditional beer or liquor that comes in bottles, but pre-mixed cocktails and spiked seltzers. In 2021, there was a drastic rise in the popularity of spiked sparkling waters and seltzer drinks like White Claw and Truly, but that is starting to shift slightly.
In 2022, these will likely still be popular, but you may also see more pre-mixed cocktails that come in cans or bottles. The benefit of these is similar to the seltzers; not only are they mixed for you, but they are often included with lower sugar and calories thanks to the ingredients being used. They are ideal for people who are watching what they consume or are trying to lose weight.
To summarize, the 2022 diet and nutrition trends will be similar to what you have been seeing in the past couple years, but with a few adjustments. Look out for more plant- based foods, anti-dieting trends, and nutrient-dense options.
Part 2 – Fitness and Movement
Now for the fitness, exercise, and movement of 2022.
Stepping Up the Home Workouts
It should come as no surprise that home workouts were the star of 2021 and even 2020. More people than ever before have been skipping the gym and instead staying home for their workouts. This will remain the trend for the new year, but with even more options.
What is changing? More people are building their own home gyms! They are converting garages, basements, and guest rooms into entire gyms right at home. Some people keep it simple with a bike or treadmill, weights, and resistance bands, while others go all out with gym flooring, wall-to-wall mirrors, weight benches, and multiple machines.
This of course depends on your budget and how much space you have, but really any type of space in your home can fit some home gym equipment.
Virtual Trainers and Coaches
Another big trend in 2022 will be to get virtual trainers or coaches for those home workouts. Not everyone knows what exercises to do, even with all the fancy equipment. Many people are going to hire personal trainers virtually that will show them what to do and might even be there on Zoom during their workouts.
Virtual trainers can also be used if you like to go to the gym, but can’t find a local trainer able to help on-site.
Apps have been popular for a while among people who prefer working out from the comfort of their home, so expect those to continue as well.
You can also include equipment like Peloton in this category, since it’s not just any ordinary exercise bike. They contain a lot of different workouts from experienced trainers.
Smart Home Gyms
This is a good combination of home gyms and virtual trainers, all tied into one. It is on the pricey side, but a great option for people looking to upgrade their home workouts. There are smart home gyms like Tonal that includes one machine with everything you need, including a large screen with trainer-led workouts.
Intuitive Movement
Just like with intuitive eating, more people are also jumping on the intuitive movement bandwagon. It is not less exercise, but less rules about working out. This could mean something as simple as not having a set schedule or a workout split, but instead listening to your body and what you feel like doing each day.
For others, it is about the type of workouts they choose to do. You might discover that you were running on the treadmill not because you enjoyed it, but because you thought the cardio was essential for your goals. Now, you listen more to your body and your mind, and participate in movement that you truly enjoy.
More than ever before, people are concerned about their physical and mental health. This is why diet and fitness is so important, and technology is helping to revolutionize the way it is done.
