She Strengthens

Navigating the World of Food Trends: Expert Advice for a Balanced Approach

Living in a society where diet culture reigns supreme can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to making healthy food choices. With the constant influx of new trends and celebrity endorsements, it’s no wonder many of us feel lost. To cut through the noise, we sought advice from food media experts, including cookbook authors, food reporters, and registered dietitians.

Don’t Fall Prey to Fad Diets

Keto, Paleo, and other low-carb diets may promise weight loss benefits, but they often restrict you from eating what you normally consume. According to Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, these diets are bound to fail in the long run because they’re not realistic or healthy for most people. “If a diet is not sustainable or balanced, it’s not going to last,” she says. These diets are trends that come and go, but their underlying concepts remain the same – cutting out essential food groups that provide valuable nutrients.

Take Control of Your Eating

Creating a well-balanced plate is more intuitive than you think. Nutritionists recommend filling half your plate with fruits and veggies, a quarter with whole grains, and a quarter with protein. Restaurant critic Pete Wells has found that reducing his alcohol consumption has improved his health, despite his demanding schedule of dining out. “The less I drink, the better I do my job,” he says. Taub-Dix advises against fasting, as it can lead to overeating and is taxing on the body.

Make the Most of Food Trends

When deciding whether to follow a food trend, use common sense to determine if it’s accessible and offers alternatives. Replacing carbs with cauliflower, for example, has become a popular movement. Cookbook author Melissa Clark emphasizes the importance of embracing variety and not relying on one food product or cooking appliance to solve all your health woes.

Gather and Cook with Others

Developing a healthy relationship with food means considering whether your habits promote emotional well-being. Hosting dinner parties and cooking with others can combat feelings of FOMO and social isolation. NYT Cooking editor Sam Sifton’s upcoming cookbook, “See You on Sunday,” highlights the importance of regular dinner gatherings among friends and family. “Dinner is a marvelous way to create time with those who care about you,” he writes.

Don’t Create an “Avoid” Food List

While saying “no” to certain foods can be beneficial, avoid creating an “avoid” list if you don’t have allergies or serious adverse reactions. “Protein, carbohydrate, and fat are like three legs of a stool. They really balance each other,” Taub-Dix says. Clark agrees that moving beyond restrictive diets is key to achieving a balanced approach to food. “It’s really important for us as a culture to move away from demonizing one ingredient and towards harmonizing all of the ingredients together.”