A majority of adults (61%) reported experiencing undesired weight changes since the start of the pandemic, according to one survey by the American Psychological Association (APA) that highlighted the impact of the pandemic on health just one year after it had begun. For those who are looking to focus more on health and nutrition now, however, several diet trends that are popular in Los Angeles may be of interest. From the obsession of plant-based diets to the famed keto diet and even how sustainability fits in, here’s an overview of just three popular diet trends in the City of Ang
The Plant-Based Craze
When diving into the most popular dieting trends in Los Angeles, there’s no question that there’s a craze surrounding plant-based choices — whether it be vegan or vegetarian. In one Linkedin article by Daniel Zahler, the author highlights that LA is seeing a rise in plant-based trends, with many wanting their diets to reflect their values. With Zahler further going on to cite a study, which found that Los Angeles is the most vegetarian-friendly city in the U.S. To further underline the popularity surrounding plant-based options, the prevalence of celebrities that have been outspoken regarding their choices to go plant-based (whether it be all or some of the time) is worth noting. Billie Eilish, Lizzo, and Madelaine Petsch are just a few of many. However, going vegan isn’t the only way to appreciate plant-based foods, as one 2020 Gallup poll highlights that 23% of US adults say they’ve reduced how much meat they consume. To further highlight the prevalence of plant-based diets, actor and comedian Kevin Hart, who calls himself a flexitarian, has recently opened a vegan restaurant named Hart House – a plant based fast food restaurant that aims to provide options to vegans and others who want plant-based choices.
Going keto for weight loss
The ketogenic diet has also drawn a lot of attention, especially for those looking to lose weight. The diet is defined by Medical News Today as “an eating plan that focuses on foods that provide a lot of healthful fats, adequate amounts of protein, and very few carbohydrates,” with the goal being “to get more calories from fat than carbs.” That said, the diet consists of an array of foods, such as avocados, low-carb veggies, nuts, eggs, poultry and cheese — to name just a few. The diet works by depleting the body of sugar reserves. According to Medical News Today, the diet works by depleting the body of its sugar reserves, thus allowing it to start breaking down fat for energy, noting that “This results in the production of molecules called ketones that the body uses for fuel.”
When looking to incorporate a diet trend into your own lifestyle to lose weight, ensuring that you have a variety of reputable resources on hand is imperative in gaining insight, and can be a great way to learn about helpful nutrition related tips along the way, too. In addition to the advice of a medical professional, comprehensive online resources such as online magazines or dedicated nutrition blogs are just one resource worth having on hand. Through the use of an online resource that covers a variety of food and nutrition topics, you’ll effectively be able to stay on top of everything from a wealth of information to diet friendly recipes to broaden your knowledge.
The Rise of Sustainability
While cutting out meat is a good way to implement an eco-conscious diet, sustainable choices that involve prioritizing good-for-the-environment aspects. For instance, Cafe Gratitude in LA sources their produce locally to save on carbon emissions, Bar Nine uses biodegradable and compostable packaging. And, for farm-to-table restaurants that serve meat, like Forage, ensuring that your food was humanely treated is another way that sustainability can be found in LA. Making eco-conscious choices in the form of foods that have a lower carbon footprint are also drawing attention. The University of California Los Angeles notes that “Our global food system is intimately connected to climate change,” going on to point out that “Food systems account for 25-30% of human-created greenhouse gas emissions.” The university mentions that reducing meat and dairy intake is a great place to start, though it has also implemented an icon system at all UCLA dining residential restaurants. The system, which uses green earth icons to signify low-carbon footprint foods, and red earth icons for high-carbon footprint foods will not only work to help students make more eco-conscious choices, but will aid in raising awareness to the issue, too.
For those looking for options when it comes to leading a healthier lifestyle through diet, there are several to choose from. In Los Angeles, popular food and nutrition trends include weight loss diets like keto and the rise in making food choices that are better for the environment — whether that be through veganism or simply choosing dining options that put a focus on being eco-conscious.
Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich
