Top 6 Specialty Diets in 2022

Throughout the years, consumers have become more conscious of the foods and supplements they consume. In fact, up to 60% of all global consumers are looking to improve their health based on their nutrition. As a result, various specialty diets trends surfaced in the wellness sector. Each specialty diet comes with its own guidelines to follow to reach one’s intended health goals. To help you navigate and capitalize on this unique landscape, we’ve put together a list of the top 6 specialty diets we predict will be popular in 2022.

1. Ketogenic

The Ketogenic diet is defined as a low-carb, low-sugar diet that helps regulate weight loss through the principle of energy consumption. The main idea of the ketogenic diet is to not consume more than 50 grams of carbohydrates per day. This allows your body to break down fat when it needs additional energy, which results in weight loss.

A ketogenic diet offers consumers fast weight loss, an improved muscle-to-fat ratio, and an overall boost to heart health. Although this diet was initially meant to provide fast and efficient results in a short amount of time, many consumers are continuously living the ketogenic lifestyle. As a matter of fact, in 2020, the term “Keto” was the most googled food-related topic in the world. Consumers on a global scale were looking to incorporate keto into their diets via dietary supplements, snacks, and beverages. Some of the most popular dietary supplement ingredients that support a ketogenic diet include MCT oil, magnesium, Omega-3, Vitamin D, digestive enzymes, and vegetable powders. All of these are suitable additions to a keto-friendly dietary supplement shake.

2. Paleo

The Paleolithic “Paleo” diet mirrors the stone-age diet of early humans in the Paleolithic era. It is a diet that consists of hunter-gatherer foods, like meats, fish, vegetables, and fruits. The paleo diet came into being because of the hypothesis that our bodies are genetically mismatched to the present-day diet. This diet encourages the consumption of foods high in protein, whether it be plant or animal-based. It also allows for improved cholesterol balance, better weight management, and healthier blood glucose levels.

Unlike other diets that require foods to be eaten at certain amounts, the paleo diet does not restrict consumption. Its main guideline is to stray away from products that require industrial farming techniques, such as grains, wheat, and processed foods. Keep in mind that because dairy products are not consumed in the paleo diet, consumers may be at risk of deficiencies in calcium and vitamin D. With this in mind, it is recommended that those who indulge in a paleo diet must take supplements that enhance their calcium and vitamin D levels.

3. Non-GMO

A Non-GMO diet is more of a lifestyle choice than a dedicated diet. It aims to avoid any product that is obtained from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This diet is mainly practiced due to potential health concerns, as some people believe that the hormones involved in the development of GMOs can affect their health in the long term. As an industry valued at $947 million, it’s clear that a lot of consumers stand by these claims.

The main benefits of a non-GMO diet are reduced exposure to potentially harmful chemicals, improved nutritional value, and the knowledge that your purchases are more environmentally responsible. Unlike other diets, there are no specific ingredients involved in a non-GMO diet, you are allowed to consume any product that is not manufactured from GMOs. As the non-GMO market continues to grow, supplement brands and businesses should start manufacturing supplements that are Non-GMO Project Verified to cater to consumer needs.

4. Vegan

The vegan diet consists of a wide assortment of plant-based foods, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. The most important thing to note about the vegan diet is that, unlike a vegetarian diet, the vegan diet does not allow for animal by-products (milk and eggs) to be consumed. Although many would say veganism is tied to a moral choice to protect animals and preserve the environment, potential long-term health benefits also play a role in this choice as well.

Some key benefits of a vegan diet include an increased intake of nutrients, lower blood sugar levels, and a lower risk of heart disease. Although the vegan diet avoids animal products like fish and meat, which are high in protein, there are many plant-based protein products now available on the market that contain all the nutrients one needs to supplement their diet. These plant-based products come in the form of protein powders, meat and dairy alternatives, and dietary supplements. Supplements rich in plant-based protein powders, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin D, and Omega-3 are the most popular among vegans.

5. MIND Diet

The Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay diet, also known as the MIND diet, is basically a fusion of the DASH diet and the Mediterranean diet. This means that this diet focuses on maintaining low blood pressure and better fat consumption through Greek and Italian cuisine influences. The main ingredients in the MIND diet are whole grains, green leafy vegetables, and especially fish. Not only that but the MIND diet also places a large focus on brain health and nootropics by prioritizing foods and products with known cognitive benefits. As such, the MIND diet is followed by individuals who want to enhance their overall health via low-fat, low-sodium, superfood, and plant-based products. Some of the most popular dietary supplement ingredients that support the MIND diet include turmeric, fish oils, L-Theanine, Creatine, Ginkgo Biloba, and Bacopa Monnieri.

6. Gluten-Free

A Gluten-free diet refers to any nutritional plan that excludes any product that contains gluten like wheat, barley, and rye. In the beginning, the main adopters of this diet were those with celiac disease, who could not process gluten without adverse effects. However, over the years, more and more individuals started adopting this diet due to gluten sensitivity or those with general beliefs that non-gluten alternatives are healthier.

Gluten diets traditionally favor fruits, vegetables, and lean meats. As the demand for gluten-free products continues to grow, a myriad of gluten-free alternatives has begun to emerge. To stay relevant in an expanding market, brands must consider becoming Certified Gluten-Free. In fact, 76% of consumers actively look for the certification on the products they buy.

Key Takeaways

Supplement brands and businesses must stay on top of all the new diet trends that arise to cater to the ever-changing needs and demands of consumers. Agile brands that can meet these expectations quickly will be able to gain a competitive advantage and capitalize on the growing market share. This is why it is important to partner with a supplement manufacturer that has the right certifications to bring your innovative products to life. Paragon Laboratories is a leading contract manufacturer that has all the certifications you need to bring your product to market. We use only the best raw materials to produce the highest quality dietary supplements. Contact us today to learn more.