Seed Oils: The Oils Getting Cancelled
Nearly 28 percent of Americans are now trying to avoid seed oils in cooking, a small but noticeable increase over the past year. These oils – canola, soybean, sunflower, and their cousins – have become the boogeyman in wellness circles, swirling through social media feeds with warnings about inflammation and processed food dangers. The backlash feels intense, yet scientists keep reminding us the evidence is actually mixed.
Here’s the thing. Fatty acids typical in seed oils, like linoleic acid, are associated with lower risk of chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, heart attack, strokes and diabetes. Still, concerns about hexane processing and omega-6 balance keep popping up. Most Americans eat about 10 times more omega-6 fats than omega-3 fats, which seems to fuel the controversy. More than half of consumers are encountering information about seed oils on social media, where the narrative tends to lean heavily toward alarm rather than nuance. The reality is somewhere in the middle, but you know how it goes – moderation doesn’t trend as well as outrage.
Ultra-Processed Foods: The Category Consuming the Conversation
The majority of foods sold in U.S. grocery stores are considered ultra-processed, which means cutting them out isn’t just tricky, it’s practically a challenge to navigate modern eating. Dozens of observational studies and three randomized controlled trials have linked overconsumption of ultra-processed foods to a host of health harms – including an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and even depression. That’s a hefty list, and it explains why health-conscious Americans are now scrutinizing ingredient lists like detectives.
Let’s be real. These foods are everywhere. They’re convenient, affordable, and engineered to hit our taste preferences perfectly. Roughly 60% of an American child’s daily calorie intake is estimated to come from ultra-processed foods, which comprise up to 70% of the U.S. food supply. Respondents predicted that Americans will cut processed foods out of their diets more than ever in the new year, according to a recent survey. The movement is gaining steam, though experts admit defining what exactly counts as ultra-processed remains a slippery challenge.
Artificial Sweeteners: The Sugar Replacement Reckoning
Zero-calorie sweetness sounds like magic, until you read the studies. High consumption has been associated with increased risks of metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, certain cancers, and weight gain, according to recent research published in 2024. Honestly, it’s hard to say for sure whether swapping sugar for artificial sweeteners actually helps or creates new problems. Studies, including the Women’s Health Initiative, have linked artificially sweetened beverages to an elevated risk of stroke, coronary heart disease, and mortality. The gut microbiota disruption is particularly concerning, leading to inflammation and insulin resistance.
Artificial sweeteners, especially aspartame and acesulfame-K, which are used in many food and beverage brands worldwide, were associated with increased cancer risk in one large French cohort study. Not all research agrees on the magnitude of these risks, and the debate continues. But the tide seems to be shifting away from thinking artificial sweeteners are harmless. Growing public concern about ingesting artificial sweeteners and other food additives has contributed to declining sales of diet sodas. People are waking up to the idea that just because something has zero calories doesn’t mean it’s actually doing your body any favors.
Conventional Dairy: Ditching the Dairy Aisle Staple
Plant-based milk alternatives are no longer niche products tucked into a corner of the grocery store. Seven percent plan to start a vegan or plant-based diet in 2025, signaling a clear shift in how Americans think about dairy. Whether it’s concerns about hormones, lactose intolerance, or environmental impact, conventional dairy is losing its grip on the American breakfast table. Oat milk, almond milk, and coconut milk have become mainstream choices, not just for vegans but for anyone rethinking their relationship with cow’s milk.
Becoming healthier is one of the main reasons that over half of consumers who follow a plant-based dietary pattern do so. The evidence on plant versus animal protein continues to build. A report shared in the July 2024 volume of The Lancet Planetary Health estimates that a 30 percent reduction in consumption of processed and unprocessed meats could reduce rates of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and colon cancer. While that’s more about meat than dairy specifically, the overall theme is clear: Americans are eating less of what comes from animals. Conventional dairy is caught in that broader cultural shift toward whole plant foods and away from traditional animal products.
Refined Sugar: Breaking Up With the Sweet Stuff
Daily per capita intake increased by 617 calories between 1970 and 2008, with caloric sweeteners contributing nine percent to the increased calorie intake. That’s a staggering amount, and Americans are finally pushing back. Consumers that try to avoid or limit sugars commonly do so to avoid gaining weight, and Gen Z is especially aware of sugar in their food, with 29 percent trying to avoid sugar. Younger generations seem to be leading the charge, motivated by weight management and overall wellness goals.
Sugar consumption patterns are shifting in interesting ways. Sales of beer, liquor, and wine declined between one and four percent in 2023, which ties into broader health trends. But refined sugar, specifically, is getting targeted more directly. Fresh and low in sugar continue to be the top two definitions of healthy foods, according to consumer surveys. The cultural conversation has moved decisively against added sugars, and food manufacturers are scrambling to reformulate products with less of the white stuff. It’s not just about calories anymore; it’s about metabolic health, insulin spikes, and long-term disease risk.
Red Meat and Processed Meats: The Protein Shift
Reducing the amount of beef (46%) and pork (44%) is the main priority among those trying to cut saturated fats, a significant dietary change driven by health awareness. In 2021, just over 35 percent of Americans reported they were actively trying to reduce their meat consumption. The conversation around red meat has intensified, with mounting evidence linking it to cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. Plant-based protein is having its moment, and even die-hard carnivores are experimenting with Meatless Monday.
A report shared in the July 2024 volume of The Lancet Planetary Health estimates that a 30 percent reduction in consumption of processed and unprocessed meats could reduce rates of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and colon cancer. That’s a compelling argument for anyone paying attention to longevity. Processed meats like bacon, deli meats, and sausages face even harsher scrutiny. Try to reduce consumption of sugar and artificially sweetened beverages and processed meats, two food categories that are most strongly linked to health harms. The protein landscape is shifting, and Americans are diversifying their sources beyond the traditional steak and burger.
The health food landscape is evolving fast, and these six categories are feeling the heat. Whether these trends stick around or fade depends partly on how much we value convenience versus long-term wellness. Did you notice any of these changes in your own shopping cart? What do you think is driving all these shifts?
