In 2023, the landscape of dietary trends underwent significant shifts. The Carnivore Diet emerged as a major contender, while Vegetarianism also gained traction.

Conversely, diets like Whole30 and the Ketogenic Diet faced declines. Diets such as Gluten-free and DASH experienced moderate shifts, while the Low FODMAP diet surged in popularity.

The upcoming year, 2024, is poised to see further changes in dietary preferences. This article delves into these evolving dietary patterns, providing insights into the changing preferences and what the future might hold for nutrition enthusiasts.

Key facts

• 71% (12 of 17) of the studied diets have negative dynamics of interest to them.
• Carnivore Diet has the fastest growing popularity in 2023 with a growth rate of 153.10%
• Vegetarianism (3.13%) and Low FOODMAP Diet (2.52%) have the highest projected popularity growth in 2024 relative to 2023
• Whole30 Diet has the fastest decline with a weekly average of 8.23%
• In 2023, relative to the previous 4 years, Ketogenic diet had the largest decline in popularity with a weekly average of -47.95%.
• Gluten-free diet has the lowest growth rate of interest among diets with positive growth in 2023 with a value of 1.26%, which is a rather low growth rate compared to other diets with positive growth.
• The diet with the most stable performance – Vegetarianism

2023 vs past 4 years:

Popularity 2023 vs forecast for 2024:

Diets Popularity Charts

Gluten-free diet

In 2023, the popularity of Gluten-Free Diet increased by 14% based on the previous 4 years.

The average weekly growth rate based on the last 5 years was 1.26%.

I expect the popularity of the gluten-free diet to continue to grow at a 13.1% increase in 2024 relative to the previous years.

Low-carbohydrate diet

Low-carbohydrate diet is becoming less and less popular year by year, with 35% less users interested in it in 2023 than in the previous 4 years.

The forecast for 2024 is a continued decrease in interest down to 31.3% relative to 2023.

Ketogenic diet

The keto diet, a stricter type of low-carb diet that limits carbohydrate intake to 20-50 grams per day, is no exception.

Its popularity in 2023 fell by 48% relative to the previous 4 years. Forecast for 2024 is a 54.2% decline in popularity

Paleolithic diet

The paleo diet is also losing popularity. In 2023, relative to the previous 4 years, its popularity decreased by 42.5%.

The forecast for 2024 is a decrease in popularity by 52.11% relative to 2023.

Mediterranean diet

Demand for the Mediterranean diet in 2023 increased by 44%.

Most likely, the growth in popularity of this diet will continue in 2024, amounting to 24.5% relative to the previous 5 years, but will not be as rapid as in 2023, slowing down by 8%.

Veganism

Vegans are losing popularity, over the last year interest in veganism has decreased by 21%, relative to the previous 4 years.

On the other hand, the decline in popularity is slowing down and is predicted to be only 0.3% in 2024 versus 2023.

Vegetarianism

This is not the case with vegetarianism at all. There was a sharp jump in interest in this diet in 2022.

In 2023, its popularity relative to the previous 5 years increased by 22.9%.

In 2024, according to my forecast, its popularity will remain at the same level as in 2023 or will show an increase of up to 3%

Atkins Diet

The Atkins diet is losing popularity year after year.

In 2023, interest in it decreased by 47.22% relative to the last 4 years.

In 2024, according to the forecast, it will become even 2 times less popular relative to the current year.

Low-FODMAP diet

The Low-FODMAP diet has been gaining consistent attention. Its weekly growth rate, based on linear regression, stands at 4.51%.

In 2023, its popularity relative to the previous four years surged by 54.56%.

For 2024, forecasts indicate that its popularity will experience a growth of 47.04% compared to the past five years.

Moreover, when comparing 2024 to 2023, an increase of up to 2.52% is anticipated in its popularity.

The marked rise in the Low-FODMAP diet’s popularity could be attributed to heightened awareness about gut health and digestive disorders. Advancements in nutritional research, shedding light on its benefits, might have fueled its recent acclaim.

However, the moderate forecasted growth for 2024 suggests that there might be barriers, perhaps in terms of its complexity or lack of broader public awareness. Moving forward, as more individuals prioritize gut health, and with the proliferation of resources and products tailored to this diet, its prominence could experience a more sustained elevation.

Carnivore Diet

Unlike many dietary movements, the Carnivore Diet stands out strikingly. Notably, in 2022, the attention toward this diet intensified.

In 2023, there was a significant elevation, as its popularity skyrocketed by 153.10% when compared to the previous four years.

However, as we look into 2024, forecasts project a 79.72% growth in its appeal relative to the past five years.

Intriguingly, when juxtaposed with 2023, the interest is anticipated to dip by -13.52%.

The Carnivore Diet, which predominantly focuses on consuming animal products and minimizing or completely avoiding plant-based foods, appears to be gaining significant traction. The surge in popularity can likely be attributed to a combination of factors: anecdotal success stories, influencers advocating for its benefits, and a growing backlash against high-carb and plant-based diets.

Vertical Diet

The Vertical Diet does not follow the typical trends of many popular dietary approaches. There was a noticeable decline in interest for this diet in 2022.

In 2023, its popularity took a further hit, waning by -37.98% compared to the preceding four years.

Delving into projections for 2024, relative to the previous five years, the diet’s appeal is expected to decrease by -41.34%. Additionally, its popularity is foreseen to dwindle, being -10.54% lower than in 2023.

Vertical Diet primarily emphasizes easily digestible foods, advocating for a limited array of choices to optimize digestion and nutrient absorption. The decline in its popularity could be attributed to its restrictive nature, which might not resonate with a broad audience looking for varied dietary options. Furthermore, the rising popularity of other diets, combined with potential criticisms regarding its limited food diversity, could contribute to its diminishing appeal.

Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent Fasting, once hailed as a revolutionary approach in the wellness world, has been experiencing a shift in popularity.

In 2023, its favorability declined by -9.54% when measured against the preceding four years.

Predictions for 2024 suggest a more pronounced decrease. Relative to the prior five years, the approach’s appeal is projected to plummet by -26.35%. More pointedly, it’s expected to see a drop of -19.69% when juxtaposed with 2023.

Intermittent Fasting is centered around cycling between periods of eating and fasting, claiming benefits ranging from weight loss to improved metabolic health. The decline in its popularity might be rooted in the challenges people face in maintaining consistent fasting windows or the allure of newer dietary trends overshadowing its prominence. Moreover, any potential criticisms or perceived limitations of this approach could further deter individuals. As the health and wellness space evolves, dietary trends often oscillate based on new research, public testimonials, and emerging health philosophies.

Dash Diet

The DASH diet, known for its heart-healthy principles, has seen varying dynamics in its popularity over the years.

In 2023, it experienced a modest uptick in attention, increasing by 3.42% compared to the previous four years.

However, looking ahead to 2024, the projections suggest a shift in the opposite direction. Relative to the past five years, the interest in the DASH diet is anticipated to recede by -14.03%. When comparing directly with 2023, this decline becomes even more noticeable, with an expected drop of -16.46%.

---

The DASH diet, an acronym for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, emphasizes the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins to reduce hypertension. Its mild boost in 2023 might be indicative of a renewed focus on cardiovascular health or specific endorsements. However, the predicted downturn in 2024 could result from the rise of newer or more trending diets, or perhaps challenges in adherence given the dietary restrictions.

Raw foodism

Raw foodism, a diet characterized by the consumption of unprocessed and uncooked foods, has recently experienced shifts in its appeal.

In 2023, its popularity waned, reflecting a -28.15% decrease when compared to the prior four years.

As we venture into 2024, projections indicate a further decline. In relation to the previous five years, interest in raw foodism is expected to decrease by -31.50%. More notably, when measured against 2023, the trend is anticipated to drop by an additional -8.49%.

Raw foodism revolves around the belief that cooking diminishes the nutritional value of foods, and thus, proponents consume mostly raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. The recent decline in its allure could be attributed to the challenges of maintaining such a diet, especially in colder regions or among those with limited access to fresh produce. Additionally, concerns over food safety or the allure of newer dietary trends might also play a role.

Whole30

The Whole30 diet, known for its strict 30-day eating regimen, has seen substantial shifts in its popularity.

In 2023, its popularity took a significant hit, showing a decrease of -48.09% when benchmarked against the previous four years.

The forecast for 2024 paints an even starker picture. Compared to the last five years, interest in the Whole30 approach is anticipated to plummet by a staggering -85.99%. Furthermore, when set against 2023, this trend is predicted to dip by an additional -74.86%.

The Whole30 diet is predicated on a stringent month-long plan, eliminating grains, dairy, alcohol, legumes, added sugars, and processed foods. Its objective is to reset one’s eating habits and pinpoint food sensitivities. The pronounced decline in its popularity may stem from the diet’s rigidity, which can be challenging for many to adhere to. Furthermore, while some praise its benefits, others may find it too restrictive, leading them to search for more sustainable and flexible dietary options.