New research from Personal Trainer Pioneer has revealed the top ten diet foods in the U.S. based on their popularity in online searches. The PTPioneer team used Google Trends to find leading diets, then analyzed the search frequency for specific foods using Google data, focusing on diet and health-related queries.
Related Search Criteria Favored Weight Loss
Across all the top-searched foods, inquiries often related to items being “good for weight loss” or how to incorporate the ingredients into weight loss recipes such as cabbage soup.
Apples topped the list by a significant margin.
“The high search volume for apples was impressive,” Tyler Read, founder of PTPioneer, told The Food Institute. “It’s great to see something as simple as an apple getting so much love. It shows that more people are choosing whole, nutritious foods that easily fit into their meals and promote their overall well-being.”
Berries, salmon, brussels sprouts, and cabbage rounded out the top five. All these foods are a part of popular diets including Mediterranean, Pescatarian, and Paleo.
As Reads notes, having apples or berries as a snack between meals is a good way to prevent hunger without adding too many calories. “Adding salmon to your dinner can help you feel satisfied and support muscle recovery overnight,” he added.
Rounding Out the Top Ten
The additional foods ranked in the report were:
- Tuna (959K)
- Broccoli (915K)
- Dark Chocolate (809K)
- Chia Seeds (802K)
- Pineapple (742K)
Regionality played into the research, with each food item featuring a trending state. For instance, Ohio led searches for apples, while berries and salmon were trending in Alaska.
“Where you live really changes what food searches pop up,” said Read. “For example, people in coastal areas like California might search more for seafood…because it’s fresh and fits with healthy diets. In places with lots of farms, like the Midwest, you’ll see more searches for veggies and fruits, such as apples and berries.”
Economics are also an influential factor.
“If fruits like apples and berries are cheaper because they’re in season, more people [will] buy them,” said Reads. “The same goes for fish like salmon and tuna; their prices can go up and down, affecting how often they end up on our plates. Plus, choosing plant-based options like broccoli can be a smart move for both your wallet and your health.”
The Food Institute Podcast
It appears plant-based products have hit a bit of a lull in the U.S., but what’s next for the sector on the whole? David Benzaquen of Mission: Plant and Moonshot Collaborative breaks down the demographics of plant-based eating, common health attributes consumers are looking for, and where the sector could be headed in the future.
