Emese Antal: “Personalisation is one of the main future nutrition trends”

Trade magazin’s Business Podcast, Future Talks with Szilvia Krizsó continues

Diets will be in focus in the 21st century

Ms Antal is of the opinion that diet and lifestyle are now more important for people than in the past. It is a good thing that more people are aware of the beneficial health effects of eating well, but the whole thing is also big business, therefore non-experts are spreading half-truths and false information about the topic. People should always check what kind of qualifications the person who recommends a certain diet or gives advice has.

Emese Antal, nutritionist, sociologist, director of TÉT Platform 

Dietitians study the science of food and eating at a college for four years. Nutritional science is based on scientific evidence – the result of research work – like medicine. Just like in life, things aren’t either black or white in nutritional science, it is best to refrain from extremities. One should definitely be familiar with the basics though, which they can find in OKOSTÁNYÉR© – this is basically a collection of recommendations, e.g. drink enough, eat 4-5 times a day, follow a diverse diet, etc.

The dietitian reckons that the 21st century will be about produce grown locally and plant-based foods. It has also been proven that plant-based foods can reduce the occurrence of certain illnesses. However, different individuals need to eat different things, e.g. a young girl who has just started menstruating must eat red meat and meat in general. Iron and calcium is also utilised better by the body if consumed in meat. Ms Antal believes that in the future one of the main dietary directions will be personalisation.

„Sad but true that the higher the number of health conscious consumers, the larger the share of those who share misconceptions”

The situation in Hungary

Currently 62% of Hungarian adults are overweight and 67% are obese. It makes the situation even worse that every fourth child weighs more than they should. Not only Hungarian people are responsible for this, but the state as well. This is a very complex issue and the solutions to the problems differ across different levels. Those workers who are overweight and suffer from high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular diseases because of this visit doctors more, so they work less and cost more for the state. It is really bad news that although the number of health-conscious consumers is growing, there are also more and more people who believe the misconceptions. We have to fight this problem too – with the help of professional credibility. //

This article is available for reading on pp 171-172 of Trade magazin 2022.08-09.