Of the top 10 food trends in 2020, I am most intrigued by personalized nutrition. This is a concept that dietitians are very familiar with and have promoted for years. The concept that there is one perfect diet or a one-size-fits all approach to eating does not make sense given the diversity among people. Nutrition should be individualized for every one based on age, gender, health, lifestyle, activity level and personal preferences.
The modern approach to individualized nutrition attempts to take this even further using technology. As knowledge expands regarding the bacteria living in our gut, also known as microbiome, and DNA testing, companies are utilizing this information to sell personalized diet plans. Companies like Habit offer a personal nutrition plan in exchange for your lab results and $49. If you would like to know the make up of your microbiome, you can have your gut bacteria identified for $499 by a company called Day Two. If you love science fiction, then you will really like the technology that Beehex , a spin-off company from NASA, is working to develop. Imagine a day when you decide what you want to eat and with the help of a few ingredients and a 3D printer, you can print the food you desire. They are experimenting with different ingredients to create foods with taste and textures that resemble real foods.
The problem with some of these new ideas is that it is difficult to predict best foods from just a few lab tests. We also do not know enough about the diverse population of bacteria living in our gut (microbiome) or what each bacteria does to be able to give specific recommendations based just on a person’s microbiome. Perhaps one day we will know more but right now it is too early to say what you should eat to improve your microbiome and what probiotic is best for you. Some strains have been tested extensively but others are just now being investigated so don’t expect to have these tests done and think your doctor or dietitian can give you very specific recommendations based on those.
Perhaps one day science will provide more missing pieces so you can have a meal plan that is specific to you. In the meantime, I recommend using free food trackers such as My Fitness Pal and following the Dietary Guidelines for Americans to help direct you into overall healthy eating patterns while being able to track what works for you. With the free app, you can track food eaten, calories, macro- and micronutrients as well as exercise. Tracking calories consumed along with calories burned can help you control weight. Monitoring your overall nutrient intake can help you see if you are at risk of a nutrient deficiency.
If you want to purchase a wearable fitness tracker such as Fitbit, etc., you may learn even more information such as your resting heart rate, calories burned, sleep patterns and daily steps. Working with the right healthcare professional can help you make sense of all this data which may get you on the right path without spending a fortune on tests that may or may not tell you what you need to know.
Final thoughts: Do not expect technology to provide all the answers for health and well being. We are not computers. We are very complex, intelligent beings with physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs. Food is only one aspect of what we truly need to be healthy. Nutrition can impact our physical, mental, emotional and even spiritual well-being but we need much more than just a good meal. If you are struggling in any of these areas, I encourage you to start with a good diet. This is a great foundation on which to build the rest of your lifestyle around. And if you find yourself stuck, reach out to a nutritionally-minded healthcare professional that can help you get out of the rut and on the path to good health.
Disclosure: Ourdailychews.com has no financial interest in any of the links to companies provided. These are included solely for your benefit.
