The Wellness Trends That Defined 2019 — and Where We’re Headed in 2020

See what made our lists of the top trends of 2019 and predictions for 2020 in food, fitness and weight management.
Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative
Livestrong.com may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.

The end of a year (and the end of a decade) always inspires reflection and speculation: What did we learn? How will we grow? What did we eat? How will we sweat?

In looking back at the top trends of 2019 in food, fitness and weight management, we see more than a little progress; and in predicting where we're headed next (with the help of top experts, industry data and reliable research — not crystal balls), we see exciting new goals starting to take shape.

Advertisement

So strap on your virtual reality headset and serve yourself some crabless crab cakes: Here's what rounded out 2019 and what 2020 has in store.

Just about everything edible was infused with CBD in 2019.

Eating Better in 2019: Low-Carb, Grain-Free, Plant-Based Everything

From cauliflower oatmeal to faux meat that looks and cooks like the real thing, plant-based food products dominated in 2019. But do they deserve their sparkly health halos? Industry leaders and top dietitians gave us the dish on the year's biggest food trends.

"Ugly" produce is going to be even more accessible — and delicious — in 2020.

Eating Better in 2020: Sustainable Seafood, Dairy and Burger Blends for All

Expect to see sustainability firsts like fish-free fish and all-purpose alt-flours for just about any diet among the game-changing innovations of 2020.

New fitness trackers and high-tech at-home workout gear caught exercisers' attention in 2019.

Getting Fit in 2019: Work Hard, Recover Hard

When you're short on time, you're not about to waste any on a workout that won't, well, work. We asked top fitness professionals if the trendy studios, gear and recovery methods that popped up in 2019 are actually worth your gym time.

The first VR fitness studio opened in 2019 and is set to expand in 2020.

Getting Fit in 2020: High-Tech Workouts Hit Home

The future of fitness does include a fair amount of high-tech gadgetry, but other trends go back to important basics; expect to see more inclusivity and accessibility in your favorite workouts next year.

Learn from the surprising and important weight-related findings of 2019.

Managing Your Weight in 2019: The New Keys to Success

Thanks to this year's research, we gained an even better understanding of what works — and what doesn't — when it comes to losing weight and keeping it off for good. (Adios, keto!)

Diets don't really work. Try these strategies to move the scale in 2020 instead.

Managing Your Weight in 2020: Why Dieting Is So Last Decade

When it comes to weight loss, you want to go with what's proven to work, not what's shiny and new. Skip the fad diet and start the next decade off right with sustainable, science-backed ways to get the scale moving in the right direction.