Trends in Nutrition: Key Insights from FNCE 2024
As nutrition professionals, we always seek the latest evidence-based information to guide our recommendations and help people live healthier, more fulfilling lives. That’s why the Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE) is such an exciting event for our community. Hosted by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, FNCE is the go-to conference for dietitians and food experts, bringing together research, innovative products, and discussions that shape the future of nutrition.
This year’s FNCE 2024 didn’t disappoint. It offered a fresh look at some of the most important trends that will guide our profession in the years to come. From the intersection of nutrition and mental health to the rising demand for sustainable eating, here’s what I found most noteworthy.
What is FNCE?
For those who might be unfamiliar, FNCE (pronounced, "fency") is the leading event for food and nutrition professionals in the U.S. It draws more than 10,000 registered dietitians, researchers, and healthcare providers annually, with a focus on education and innovation. FNCE covers a wide range of topics that affect the health and well-being of people everywhere—from clinical nutrition to food policy and public health. The educational sessions are designed not only to inform but also equip professionals with practical strategies to bring back to their work.
Personally, I always leave FNCE with fresh energy and a renewed sense of excitement about my work as a pediatric registered dietitian and child feeding expert. There is nothing like learning something new as a source of inspiration!
Top Trends from FNCE 2024
With learning in mind, let’s dive into the key trends that were front and center at this year’s conference:
1. Sustainability is Leading the Conversation
Sustainability has moved from a trend to a non-negotiable focus in nutrition. At FNCE 2024, I saw a strong emphasis on sustainable food systems and how our choices can reduce our environmental footprint. The push for more plant-forward diets was a recurring theme, with experts sharing insights into how shifting to plant-based proteins and reducing food waste can significantly benefit the planet.
What I found most interesting was the focus on regenerative agriculture, which goes beyond sustainability by improving the health of ecosystems and soils. It’s clear that as dietitians, we’ll need to continue educating our clients about the environmental impacts of their food choices while helping them find realistic ways to eat more sustainably.
2. Gut Health is Still a Hot Topic
The connection between gut health and overall well-being has been a major focus for years, and FNCE 2024 provided even more depth to this conversation. We’ve long known that probiotics and prebiotics play important roles in promoting a healthy gut, but what’s exciting is the emerging research on personalized nutrition for gut health. Sessions highlighted how understanding an individual's microbiome can lead to more tailored nutrition recommendations, which could improve everything from digestive health to mental wellness.
As a registered dietitian, I love seeing how research is validating what we’ve known intuitively: that a healthy gut is key to overall health, and that eating a fiber-rich, varied diet is one of the best things we can do for our microbiomes.
3. Personalized Nutrition is the Future
One of the most fascinating trends at FNCE 2024 was the growing attention to personalized nutrition. With advances in genetic testing, wearable tech, and microbiome research, we’re moving toward more individualized nutrition advice that considers each person’s unique biology. Imagine creating nutrition plans based on someone’s DNA or microbiome profile—it’s an exciting development that could completely shift how we approach nutrition counseling in the future.
For those of us working with clients one-on-one, this trend reinforces the importance of meeting people where they are and considering their individual health needs, rather than relying solely on general dietary guidelines.
4. Plant-Based Proteins Continue to Rise
Plant-based eating is here to stay, and it’s not just a trend—it’s becoming a foundational part of our food culture. FNCE 2024 highlighted the increasing popularity of plant-based proteins, including familiar favorites like soy, quinoa, and pea protein (scroll down for some product highlights). These proteins offer sustainable alternatives to animal-based options, making them popular for people looking to support their health and the environment.
The good news? The plant-based food space is expanding rapidly, offering more options that are not only nutritious but also taste great, making it easier for clients to incorporate them into their diets.
5. Nutrition’s Role in Mental Health
It’s becoming more apparent every year how much our diet impacts our mental health. FNCE 2024 offered a wealth of research and discussion around nutritional psychiatry, a growing field that looks at how what we eat can influence our mood and mental well-being. The conference sessions focused on specific nutrients—like omega-3s, antioxidants, and polyphenols—that have been shown to support brain health and reduce the risk of mood disorders.
I’m excited to see more focus on the connection between nutrition and mental health, as it’s an area that can truly transform lives. By supporting people with both physical and mental health goals, we can take a more holistic approach to wellness.
6. Tech Tools are Revolutionizing Nutrition Counseling
FNCE 2024 also showcased how new technology is transforming how we deliver nutrition advice. From telehealth platforms to AI-powered apps, these tools are making it easier for dietitians to connect with clients, monitor progress, and offer personalized support. With many people looking for more convenient ways to access nutrition services, technology and AI are becoming essential parts of our practice.
Rest assured, there will always be a need for the human touch only an RDN can provide in the context of nutrition services, but it’s becoming clearer than ever that RDNs who don’t embrace and utilize AI as a way to streamline and speed up their practice will get left behind.
Nutrition Trends from FNCE's Expo Floor
As a result of my work and writing in food allergy and pediatrics, I may have been drawn to the baby- and child-focused products, as well as the food allergy-friendly offerings on FNCE's Expo Floor, but it seemed to me that both areas were a focus of innovation this year.
FNCE Round-Up of Some of My Favorite Finds:
Red Plate Foods: Made in a dedicated bakery that is free of the top 9 major food allergens (i.e., peanut, tree nut, dairy, egg, soy, sesame, shellfish & fish), Red Plate makes delicious, gluten-free, vegan, allergy-friendly foods using alternative, nutrient-dense flours like sorghum and millet that kids of all ages can enjoy. Red Plate Foods are currently sold wholesale and available through Sysco to foodservice operators, but their products can also be found in the fresh bakery departments of retail grocers out West. I'm crossing my fingers that Red Plate Foods will make its way out East soon.
Silk Kids' Oatmilk Blend: Coming soon, a delicious new option for kids with dairy and soy allergies, Silk Kids’ Oatmilk Blend has 8 grams of protein per cup (yay!) thanks to the addition of pea protein. It's super creamy and delicious, contains only 5 grams of added sugar, and provides 32 mg of DHA omega-3s and choline to help support brain health, as well as prebiotic fiber to help support gut health. I'm pumped about this new plant-based milk alternative for our little ones!
Nairn's: Made in a dedicated gluten-free bakery, this line of oatcakes, biscuits, flatbreads, crackers, cereals, and more uses simple, wholesome ingredients and less refined sugar than comparable products. If you're looking for lower-sugar options that are easy to pack in school lunches, these oat-based products are kid-friendly and quite tasty!
Brazi Bites: One of my daughters has been a big fan of this brand's Brazilian Cheese Bites for over a year now, so I was excited to see that they've just launched a line of Certified Gluten-Free, protein-packed waffles that are perfect for quick breakfasts before school.
Eggland's Best: Ordinary eggs are already nutrition powerhouses, but did you know that Eggland's Best fortified eggs offer six times the vitamin D, 10 times the vitamin E, double the omega-3s and iodine, and 25% less saturated fat than ordinary eggs, all as a result of feeding their hens more nutrient-rich feed? If you are looking for some easy ways to bump up your child's nutrient intake (or your own), switching from ordinary to fortified eggs is a smart choice.
Ripple Kids: It's rare in my experience that a brand creates products specifically for tweens and teens. So I was SUPER excited to see that not only has Ripple released a protein-packed, unsweetened milk alternative for kids made with pea protein, it has also just launched a new line of dairy-free products for tweenagers called Shake-ups, which are free of the top 9 allergens and offer 13 grams of pea protein and 3 grams of fiber per cup. These dairy-free smoothies are perfect for on-the-go, allergy-friendly, tweenage nutrition.
Under Cover Snacks: If you haven't tried these Chocolate Quinoa Crisps from Undercover Snacks, you're missing out. Made in a dedicated tree nut-free, peanut-free, gluten-free facility, these crunchy, mouth-watering discs are made with dairy-free chocolate and come in an assortment of different flavors like Dark Chocolate + Blueberries. I look for these every FNCE and am always excited to toss a few samples into my tote!
Millie's Sipping Broth: This product gets my award for "Most Interesting New Snack!" The steepable broth bags are brewed like a cup of tea and come in a variety of savory flavors. They are a nice alternative comfort food option during the cold winter months, and a great way to help kids stay hydrated when they are home with a sore throat.
Struesli Granola: This Certified Gluten-Free, grain-free, plant-based mix is my pick for "Mom's Fave New Breakfast," as it takes granola to a whole new level. Made with sliced tiger nuts instead of oats, each flavor is free of added sugars, high in fiber, and bursting the nutrients, largely due to ingredients like chia, flax, and hemp seeds. I love that a savory flavor option is available, which can be used as a nutrient-rich topping for salads and soups, but the Cacao + Coffee flavor stole my heart.
Final Thoughts on FNCE 2024
The 2024 Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo highlighted some exciting trends that will shape the future of nutrition. From sustainability and gut health to personalized nutrition and the growing connection between mental health and diet, it’s clear that our field is evolving in impactful ways. Staying informed about these trends will help us better serve our clients and communities, ensuring we’re providing the most up-to-date and effective guidance.
For more insights on nutrition and wellness, stay connected here on the blog. And if you have any questions or want to dive deeper into these trends, feel free to reach out!
On another note, if you’re interested in learning more about how and when to integrate foods into your baby's diet, as well as how to reduce the risk of food allergies for your baby, check out my new baby-led feeding cookbook!
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