These will be the biggest food trends in 2024, according to a dietitian

Step aside, avocado toast

We'll be looking for more budget-friendly meals in 2024. Image: Pexels

When it comes to nutrition, trends come and go. But according to dietitian Ashleigh Jones, these are the ones you're about to see everywhere in the coming year. 

As a dietitian, I'm no stranger to diet trends. It’s my job to stay ahead of the ones that are worth exploring - and the fads that should be avoided.

These are the things I expect to see taking centre stage in our kitchens in 2024.  

More budget-friendly meals 

The cost of living crisis isn't going anywhere, and in 2024 we can expect to see fewer restaurant meals and a back-to-basics approach to meal planning. 

Forget keto, in most households, we’re going to see cheaper staples like rice and potatoes making a re-appearance, and expensive proteins like salmon and chicken breast being replaced with budget-friendly mince and legumes. And let’s not forget frozen veg, which many people became re-acquainted with the grocery shortages of 2020 and 2021. 

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That’s not to say gourmet food will be off the menu, it’s just that we’ll see more pub meals than fine dining, and be cooking more spagbol, and less fettuccine ragu in 2024. 

For a bit of budget-friendly inspiration, this brown rice salad is not only healthy but will also help keep your grocery bill under control.

The war on waste continues

Food waste will continue to be an environmental concern, but we are now even more aware of the impact it also has on our wallets. 

Many of us are guilty of stocking our fridge with healthy ingredients and good intentions, only to see it all go to waste as the week spins out of control and Uber Eats comes calling. This is where pre-prepared meals can be your new best friend, as they not only save you time but also mean you can save on pantry basics like oil, spices and condiments. 

Pre-prepared meals mean you don't need to invest in a whole bottle of sauce when the recipe only calls for a couple of tablespoons or throw out half a bag of rotten baby spinach because you only needed a handful.

Many of us are guilty of stocking our fridges with healthy ingredients and good intentions. Image: Getty

Work-life balance is trickier to achieve

In this post-Covid world, workplaces are increasingly bringing employees back into the office. Unfortunately, for many Aussies, this means a return to long commutes and less time at home to cook, shop and prepare healthy meals. 

With more of us relying on pre-prepared meals, it's important to know that they are not all created equal, and if you're not careful, you can end up living on meals that are high in sodium and saturated fat with hardly any vegetables. 

Choosing the right pre-prepared meal can help you save time and spend it on what matters while looking after your health and your waistline. A good rule of thumb is to look for meals that provide a minimum of two servings of vegetables, less than 1000mg of sodium and a minimum of 6g of fibre per serving. 

Sustainable eating will be reimagined

Many plant-based meat alternatives are expensive, which doesn't fly in the current cost of living crisis. 

Sustainable eating in 2024 is going to see an expanding range of novel proteins, like edible insects and ancient grains, and native ingredients that can be used to flavour food without breaking the bank. 

Be on the lookout for crickets and other edible insects being used to boost the protein content of various gourmet snack foods, and native ingredients like saltbush, wattle seed, finger lime and lemon myrtle which can give your culinary creations a uniquely Aussie flavour. 

Ashleigh Jones is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and leads a team of dietitians at Lite n’ Easy. She is known for her practical, no-BS approach to healthy eating and her experience in helping patients with IBS. You can follow her on Instagram here.

Originally published as These will be the biggest food trends in 2024, according to a dietitian