NUTS FOR NUTS: How food and diet trends

influence what we eatBrooke Delfino,

Editor & Accredited Practising Dietitian at Australian Healthy Food Guide magazine

1970s

Source: startsat60.com

Today

Source: xenlife.com.au

Source: healthyfoodguide.com.au

THEN VS NOW

Source: theguardian.com

‘Insta-worthy’ food…

VS

Images via Instagram & Pinterest

FOOD & DIET TRENDSWhen does something become a trend?

TRENDS

Slow evolution

Meets consumer needs

Gains power over time

They may be fads within trendsTrend: healthy eating

Fad: low-carb diet

FADS Short-lived Fuelled by popularity Driven by social media

& celebrities (‘jump on the bandwagon’)

Followers soon fall away (‘jump off the bandwagon’)

So, what’s making headlines in 2019?

Low-carb (LCHF)

Paleo / Ketogenic

Plant-based

Vegan / Vegetarian

Sustainability

Fasting (5:2 diet, 16:18)

Gut health

Fermented foods

‘Free from’ (gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, nut free)

Source: Baloo Cartoons

TREND: LOW CARB / KETO / PALEO

What is it? ~50-70g carbs/day = 1/3 of usual intake

Restricts grains, legumes, starchy veg, some fruit, dairy foods, sugary & refined foods (cakes, biscuits etc)

Encourages fats (meat, coconut oil, avocado, butter, nuts)

What effect does this have on nut consumption? Positive!

Nut-based, low-carb raw treats (bliss balls, raw slices etc)

Source: iStock

TREND: PLANT-BASED / VEGAN

What is it? Focus on plant foods – fruit, vegies, grains,

legumes, nuts, seeds, meat alternatives (tofu, tempeh)

Limits or restricts animal products (meat, fish, eggs, dairy etc)

What effect does this have on nut consumption? Positive!

Nuts are a source of protein & healthy fats whole nuts, nuts butters, nut flour, nut milks

Source: iStock

TREND: ‘FREE FROM’

What is it? 1 in 10 kids under 12 months old will develop

a food allergy (egg, cow’s milk, wheat nuts)

7 in 10 shoppers buy gluten-free products

1 in 4 people buy dairy-free alternatives

Nut-free policy in some schools due to allergies

What effect does this have on nut consumption? Rise in nut-free snacks for kids (legume-based snacks)

Also increase nut-based products for GF & DF diets

Source: VectorStock

TREND: SNACKING1 in 3 Aussies will eat a snack instead of a meal

Snacking is replacing 3 square meals

What do Aussies look for in a snack?1. Relieve hunger

2. Nourishment – must be healthy (portable nutrition)

3. Superfoods are in demand

4. Plant power

NUTS: The perfect snack!

On average, Aussies eat just 5.2g of nuts a day! Aim for 30g per day WHY?

Lowers risk of heart diseases& type 2 diabetes

Lowers cholesterol Reduces appetite Helps with weight management Portable & TASTE GOOD!

Source: Nuts for Life

What else influences nut consumption?

Availability

Price $10/kg peanuts vs $77/kg pine nuts

TV cooking shows MasterChef

My Kitchen Rules

Celebrities Chef Pete Evans activated almonds

Source: iStock

5 ways to eat more nuts!

1. Sprinkle over salads 2. Crust fish or meat with

crushed nuts3. Toss through a stir-fry 4. Stir through yoghurt with

fresh or dried fruit5. Blitz into pesto

Source: healthyfoodguide.com.au

ANY QUESTIONS?Visit healthyfoodguide.com.au

Australian Healthy Food Guide

@hfgaustralia