5 Nutrition Trends Spotted at FNCE

The Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo, or FNCE, is an annual event hosted by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This year, thousands of registered dietitians gathered to network and learn the latest research, product offerings, and trends in the nutrition space.

Here are five trends that emerged from education sessions, the product show floor, and speaking with dietitians in attendance.

While a majority of the products at the conference weren’t specifically labeled for GLP-1 users and could be used by anyone, experts highlighted that patients taking these medications should be proactive in filling nutritional gaps.

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Jen Bruning, RDN, LDN, a national media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, adds, “If you're on a GLP-1 and not feeling as hungry, you need to make sure you're getting enough of all of those different nutrients.”

She also says companies are aware of the nutrition gap some consumers face and are considering how best to support those who may be on a GLP-1.

Many of the brands that attended the conference showcased protein-forward products, including powders, bars, drinks, and snack foods like pretzels and crackers. Fiber also came in bars, powders, and liquid forms. Electrolytes came in powder form or as additives to mix with water, or as ready-made drinks. Many of these products are already available for retail sale at major grocery stores across the country, and aren’t limited to GLP-1 users.

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While most of the brands’ promoted products are marketed as suitable for anyone to use, Monique Richard, RDN, LDN, an integrative and functional dietitian nutritionist and member of Everyday Health’s Expert Network, says she saw one supplement company promoting a line designed specifically for those on GLP-1s.

While she sees value in some of the innovative ways nutrients are being added to products, Richard says that nutrition should still come from whole-food sources, not just snacks and supplements. “A quality product with specific components may be key to optimizing what an individual is consuming, as necessary, but is not a permanent solution, or substitution, to a high-quality, varied, and balanced dietary pattern.”

With pill fatigue on the rise, some supplement brands are leaning heavily into drinkable and chewable alternatives, showcasing everything from adult shakes and gummies to mochi balls and other chews.

While these products may be a turnoff for some because of the high sugar content, Todd says whether you decide to take them is a very personal decision. She recommends getting clear on why you want to take a supplement and on whether the product’s goal meets your needs. For those concerned about product quality, Todd says to look for third-party certification labeling to check manufacturing, label contents, and contaminants.

Longevity, diet, and lifestyle choices were popular themes at FNCE. According to Bruning, the conversation around healthy aging is no longer confined to older adults. “We can talk about healthy aging starting at any age,” she says. “So I think that that's coming more to the forefront as younger generations are focusing more on their long-term health than maybe previous generations did.”

Instead of looking for a single “magic bullet” to improve cognitive health or prevent chronic diseases, Todd says longevity is a lifestyle approach, and you can’t start too early. Seminar presenters spoke about how eating, exercise, stress reduction, and a healthy social life all contribute to better long-term health and are essential for preserving the mind and body as we age.

Many of the snacks on the expo floor were designed around “functional snacking,” a trend that Sylvia Klinger, RD, a nutrition expert and member of the Everyday Health Expert Network, defines as eating foods with targeted nutritional benefits beyond basic taste. Companies showcased products that featured natural or added sources of protein, fiber, or probiotics in easy-to-eat, palatable forms such as dehydrated chicken crackers.

As mentioned above, these types of nutrient-dense snacks are particularly relevant for GLP-1 users. For anyone eating smaller portions of food regularly, it’s important that the snacks you reach for should include as many key nutrients as possible.

One shared wish amongst the dietitians who attended FNCE is that the viral “maxxing” trend would end. While overloading may be harmless in other spaces, experts agreed that nutrition is about balance.

Bruning says we want to be cautious about the idea of maxing out any one nutrient. “If we’re fiber maxxing, we may be underconsuming other things.” Richard agrees and encourages people to stop maxxing and instead maximize the right nutrient levels for your body, which may include working with a registered dietitian for help.

Personalizing nutrition to individual needs rather than following fad trends was a broad theme throughout the conference. Experts recommended creating tailored plans designed around your specific goals.