You are probably tired of hearing about 2016 and its trends coming back. Well, society cannot move past this topic without discussing global diet trends. From the rise of the King Kylie era and the over-emphasis of detoxification to the increased popularity of BBLs, there was definitely a certain look associated with the general beauty standard. This year, people are seeing something similar in terms of a global shift in the general “beauty standard”. The BBLs are being reversed and collarbones are back in fashion. 2016 brought gluten-free, plant-based whole foods, the Paleo diet, and the Keto diet. 2026 is bringing GLP-1 weight loss drugs and high-protein, high-fibre diets. Do not get me wrong – there is nothing wrong with following a diet. However, extreme dieting becomes a cause for concern, because not only could it possibly lead to health issues, but it could also affect one’s self-esteem.
The accessibility of information on social media has also sparked many opinions on diet culture. People sharing their weight loss or weight gain journeys have allowed others to see different perspectives on diet culture. With this amount of information online, the possibility of misinformation being spread is quite high, and when it comes to bodies, it is important to understand that people are different. What works for one person may not work for another. The National Institute of Health released a study in 2025 stating that only 14% of nutrition-related posts are accurate. If this is not motivation to triple-check everything you hear, then I do not know what else is.
One positive aspect of the mass health journey content is the encouragement of health professionals to speak up about nutrition and the dangers of following trends without understanding your body. Food Institute Health and Wellness predicted that the newest diet trends in 2026 would be weight loss drugs and metabolic eating. Medications such as Ozempic were originally prescribed for type II diabetes and Wegovy for obesity and cardiovascular health, but now, this is no longer their only use.
We have all seen the Ozempic rave and its increased use. The issue is that it is being rebranded as a quick-fix, over-the-counter weight loss drug when it is, in fact, not to be taken so lightly. AMA’s Dr Francavilla Brown suggests that weight loss drugs as strong as the likes of Ozempic should not be used for cosmetic weight loss because of the associated risks such as gastrointestinal issues, including diarrhoea and vomiting. Wegovy, “Ozempic’s sister”, as quoted by Eat-Nutrition, is another medication on the rise that is being used incorrectly. Wegovy released an article stating the dangers and risks of taking the medication, as well as a long list of who should not be taking it. This includes the note that it is not proven to be effective and safe for certain people such as young people under the age of 18. If you are not aware of your health history, it would be beneficial to check sources like these before deciding to ride the GLP-1 wave.
Before taking any weight loss drugs, it is very important to educate yourself on the health implications. The importance of understanding the body and educating yourself about these medications comes from the fact that they are not shortcuts; rather, they are treatments for chronic illnesses, and unless you fall within the brackets mentioned previously, it is not medically advised to take these drugs.
Self-love is the gospel of the 2020s. However, when it comes to embracing and enforcing it in real life, there is suddenly a hardened heart towards loving yourself. Being healthy is always a positive thing, and the main point is that even on a health journey, it is important to love and embrace yourself at every stage. Let the rest of 2026 be a testament to how far we have come as a society instead of a 2016 revert.
Visual: Mila Jordaan
