November 18, 2024 –Looking at consumer trends and social media trends provides insights regarding planetary health trends in diet in Latin America. Planetary health trends in diets encompass a range of diets, including planetary, plant-based, keto, paleo, gluten-free, egg-free, lactose-free, juice fasting, and Mediterranean diets. Latin American countries studied, in alphabetical order, are Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, México, Nicaragua, Panamá, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Monitoring Social Media Trends About Planetary Health Diets
This social media analysis report provides insights into planetary health trends in diets and the food and beverage innovation that supports them. At Innova Market Insights, analysts continually monitor various social media outlets and use social media monitoring tools. They also monitor food and beverage product innovation, company news, industry press releases, news articles, and scientific publications. They monitor social media trends on X, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and TikTok, including viral content and influencer promotions.
Measures of Social Media Trends
Analysts use various measures of social media health trends. Engagement means total user interactions across paid, earned and owned inputs. Impressions are the number of follower views and views are the number of times content has been seen. Mentions are online conversations. Reach designates the total number of unique users, who are distinct individuals engaged in social media conversations. The overall tone of a social media article or mention is its tonality.
Consumers are Concerned About Planetary Health
A consumer trends research conducted by Innova Market asked Latin American consumers which global issues concern them most. Latin American consumers named the health of the planet as their #1 issue of concern. The planet came through in another consumer research question, where consumers were asked which eating-related values were most important. Sustainability and the environment, well-being through healthy eating, and accessibility and affordability were named as important.
Planetary Health Diets and Foods
A planetary health diet can help consumers who are concerned about both health and sustainability. Planetary health trends in diets can lessen the environmental impact of food systems. A key feature of planetary health diets is that they are rich in plant-based foods and reduced in animal foods. Dairy and dairy alternatives are the top category. Top claims on food and beverage products that support planetary health are clean label, free from, and, increasingly, no added sugar. Few food and beverage launches claim to be both healthy and eco-friendly – although social media posts about planetary diets have a positive buzz – so opportunities exist for innovation.
Planetary Health Conversations on Social Media
Gen Z and younger Millennial consumers drive social media conversations on X and other platforms. Latin American social media users post about the Mediterranean diet and plant-based diets. When talking about the Mediterranean diet, social media users mention environmental benefits like a lower carbon footprint and water usage. Plant-based diets offer environmental and health benefits. Latin American influencers and bloggers also discuss sustainability and the Whole30 diet, vegetarian diet, flexitarian diet, and vegan diet.
Features of a Planetary Health Diet
Planetary health trends in diets should contain a lot of vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Picturing a dinner plate, half the plate for planetary health should be filled with fruits and vegetables. The planetary health plate also includes whole grains, which receive less attention than vegetables on social media. Posts on X talk more about the health benefits of whole grains than about the environmental benefits. Companies have an opportunity to talk more about whole grains and planetary health trends and include more whole grain claims.
What’s Next in Planetary Health Diets?
Food and beverage companies can stand out by using storytelling and on-pack claims to show the connection between product features and planetary health trends in diets. This reinforces their commitment to sustainability and diets that support sustainability. Products for planetary health trends also need to be affordable.
Upcycling claims could help companies. Manufacturers can establish climate goals and support the circular economy through upcycling practices that reduce food waste. Overall, they need to be more transparent when with environmental claims and ingredient sourcing to prove they are not greenwashing.
Innovation opportunities exist in products that are minimally processed, include whole foods, and feature local diets. Minimally processed and ready-to-eat products support planetary health principles while offering convenience to consumers. Food and beverage innovations with a clean label should have straightforward ingredients. Companies can promote sustainable and local indigenous and traditional crops that grow in a specific region and expand biodiversity.
This article is based on Innova’s Trending in the Planetary Health Diet in Latin America report. This report is available to purchase or with an Innova Reports subscription. Reach out to find out more
