As we start another year and look ahead to what Canadians value in terms of nutrition and health there are certain topics that remain at the top of the list.  Research continues to soar in many of these fields such as nutrigenomics, personalized health and the microbiome which will change the way dietitians provide nutrition advice. 

Here are the top 10 nutrition topics for Canadians going into 2024

1. Gut Health and the Microbiome: 
   Probiotics from both supplements and fermented foods such as kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir and yogurt are being studied for their effect on the microbiome. The link between the gut microbiome on our health is increasingly evident and will undoubtedly change the way we look after our gut health.  Prebiotics, the foods that fuel the gut bacteria, such as green bananas, onions, garlic, sunchokes and asparagus are also garnering attention for promoting gut health.
    
2. Plant-Based Nutrition: 
   Canadians continue to increase their focus on eating more fruits and vegetables, whole grains and plant-based proteins such as legumes, tofu and tempeh.  Eating a variety of different plant foods from grains to herbs and spices appears to be beneficial to our health and our environment.
    
3. Sustainable Eating:
   Choosing locally sourced produce, reducing meat consumption and replacing plastics with more eco-friendly packaging are all on trend for 2024, especially with soaring food prices.  Expect to see continued support for local farmer’s markets, reducing food miles and minimizing food waste.
    
4. Meal Planning and Preparation: 
   Canadians are actively seeking ways to cook at home more and eat out less.  Busy lifestyles and tight budgets are motivating Canadians to meal plan, find quick and healthy recipes and learn healthy cooking techniques.
    
5. Personalized Nutrition:
   Nutrigenomics technology and understanding how your DNA can change what nutrition recommendations are right for you is gaining lots of interest from Canadians. Personalized meal plans, DNA-based diets and tailored nutrition recommendations based on individual health goals, genetics and lifestyle are on the horizon as the technology improves.
    
6. Functional Foods:
   More than what vitamins and minerals a food might have, the additional health benefits from superfoods like turmeric, blueberries, kale and oats are as popular as ever. 
    
7. Healthy Aging:
   As the population ages, interest in nutrition’s role in promoting healthy aging persists.  Canadians seek information on foods that support bone health, heart health, cognitive function and immune function.
    
8. Nutrition for Mental Health: 
   The link between diet and mental well-being draws attention to foods that support brain health and mood stabilization.  Research shows that omega-3 fats, antioxidants, B vitamins and a whole foods diet can impact mental health. The gut-brain axis is also of interest to Canadians seeking to understand how mood, stress, anxiety and digestive disorders are linked.
    
9. Sports Nutrition:
   Social media continues to drive the quest for the ideal sports nutrition diet.  There is particular interest in protein requirements, meal and macronutrient timing and the benefit of supplements. There is no shortage of “advice” and a lack of expert “knowledge” circulating on social media. The quest for optimal nutrition for performance, muscle recovery, hydration and improved fitness continues to stimulate the industry.
    
10. Sugar Reduction:
    Canadians continue to look for ways to reduce sugar consumption and find alternative natural rather than artificial sweeteners.  Reducing processed food consumption and introducing natural sweeteners such as stevia and monk fruit are becoming more common.