The diet and weight loss culture have been around on the Internet for a long time. But in 2020, the culture hit a massive growth fast. YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok were filled with workout challenges and before and after photos. Fitness influencers increased their following by millions.
The boom has been ongoing until now. It is attributed to COVID-19 may affect overweight and obese people more than the general population. True enough, statistics show that overweight and obese COVID-19 patients are more likely to contract severe symptoms.
Not only that, but social media is obsessed with fitness more than ever. Despite the rise of body positivity movements, fitness advocates continue to promote diet fads. As such, the diet and weight loss industry keep growing. And now, with the availability of nonsurgical body contouring procedures, weight loss “cheats” have become more affordable and accessible.
Will these trends continue in 2022? Let’s see what’s been predicted so far:
Food and Diet Trends
1. Ultra-urban Farming
Whole Foods predicts that ultra-urban farms, such as aquaponics, urban greenhouses, and hydroponics, will continue to push boundaries in 2022. Local hyper crops will be included to maximize ultra-urban farming’s efficiency even further. This will allow more people to grow herbs and veggies from home, giving them healthier options without buying from the grocery.
2. Reducing Meat, Eggs, and Dairy
People who aren’t ready — or willing — to go vegan or vegetarian may try “reducetarianism.” It’s reducing their consumption of meat, eggs, and dairy. This type of diet can benefit the planet, given the environmental impact of livestock farming. If they’d like to have animal products, they will focus on grass-fed meat and pasture-raised eggs.
3. Immune-Supporting Diet
The pandemic repeatedly emphasized that boosting our immune system is key to staying healthy. Hence, an immune-supporting diet will continue to be patronized in 2022. It doesn’t focus on weight loss, though it may be one of the benefits. An immune-supporting diet also involves a lifestyle change that keeps stress levels to a minimum and getting enough sleep.
4. Plant-Based Diet
The plant-based diet market may grow in 2022. Filipinos may not be big on this diet, but a few celebrities and influencers have encouraged many people to try it. The plant-based diet educates people that meat products aren’t the only sources of protein. Chickpea, soy, flaxseed, and hemp proteins are other sources, and producing them is far kinder for the environment.
5. Moringa
Moringa, or known as “malunggay” in the Philippines, is a popular leafy vegetable in the country. It’s often seen on soup dishes like tinola and munggo and as an ingredient in bread like pan de sal. Moringa is rich in health benefits and has been helping fight malnutrition in certain parts of the world, including the Philippines.
In 2022, this wonderful vegetable may reach more parts of the world, becoming an ingredient in breakfast smoothies and dairy-free desserts.
Weight Loss Trends
Since committing to a weight loss routine isn’t easy for some, and a liposuction procedure is expensive, aesthetic clinics came up with nonsurgical body contouring procedures. Women are its primary market. Aesthetic clinics promote these procedures by posting weight loss tips for women, including lifestyle changes.
Thanks to contents like such, nonsurgical procedures, especially the following, may gain more traction next year:
1. Cryolipolysis
More commonly known as CoolSculpting, this procedure freezes fat cells and flushes them out through the lymphatic system. It targets the abdomen, arms, thighs, flanks, double chin, and pretty much any part of the body. It has no downtime, which earned it its popularity. Plus, results can last permanently because the frozen fat cells cannot regenerate.
2. Radiofrequency Lipolysis
For those who want to tighten their skin and appear slimmer, radiofrequency lipolysis, or simply RF, is the ideal procedure. But it only works on a few areas, particularly the abdomen and thighs. Some also work on the face and neck. Like CoolSculpting, RF has no downtime.
3. Laser Lipolysis
Laser technology has been used for a long time to remove unwanted body hair. Now, it can remove unwanted body fat, too. Contrary to CoolSculpting, laser lipolysis uses heat to destroy and kill fat cells. The lymphatic system will also get rid of the fat. It targets mainly the abdomen and thighs.
4. Injectables
Many aesthetic clinics offer injectable liposuction procedures called mesotherapy or mesolipo. It removes fat from the abdomen, thighs, legs, buttocks, hips, and face. It can also reduce wrinkles, tighten loose skin, recontour the body, and even treat alopecia. This procedure may become more famous in 2022, with its affordability and little to no downtime.
From these trends, we can assume that the diet and culture won’t die down anytime soon but will grow even further. They encourage us to be healthier, fitter, and more confident. But the fitness industry should be careful with the message they spread so that they won’t come off as offensive or discriminating.
