Celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar predicts 3 health trends for 2026: ‘Hope India and other developing countries follow suit’

A New Year is the perfect time to take note of our health goals: quit habits that are weighing you down, and begin routines that support metabolic and gut health. After all, health is wealth, and the earlier we start this journey, the better it is. In a similar vein, celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar — known for tailoring diets of Bollywood stars like Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan, Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt — recently took to social media to share her top 3 health trend predictions for this year.

“Credible scientific research will continue to validate time-tested traditions and common sense. Wish you all a very happy, healthy and confusion-free 2026,” she captioned her Instagram post.

According to Diwekar, protein obsession peaked this year, but it will “go down in 2026 as evidence mounts of no benefit of consuming extra protein, except for sellers.”

Protein is a macronutrient that supports muscle growth, repair, and maintenance, aids in weight management by promoting satiety, and contributes to enzyme and hormone production. Simrat Kathuria, celebrity dietician and wellness coach, told indianexpress.com that the hype surrounding protein could be seen as a cultural shift. “Protein fits into the clean-eating culture. People feel that if they have a protein-rich snack, they’re doing something good for their body, even if it’s a processed bar,” she said. Instagram reels and fitness influencers also played a role in pushing forward the narrative, based more on perception than real science.

Achieving a well-rounded protein intake involves diversifying your protein sources. While animal products such as lean meats, poultry, and fish are excellent protein providers, plant-based sources like beans, lentils, tofu, and quinoa can be equally effective.

Diwekar said that alcohol consumption decreased in the West and will continue to do so in 2026 as its health impact becomes more mainstream. “Hope India and other developing countries follow suit,” she added.

According to Dr Jayanta Thakuria, Director of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology at Yatharth Super Speciality Hospitals, Faridabad, alcohol can irritate the digestive system, have a detrimental effect on sleep quality, adversely react with certain medications, including sedatives and psychiatric drugs and have a terrible impact on one’s cardiovascular system.

Health is wealth, and the earlier we start this journey, the better it is. (Source: Freepik)

Alcohol is calorie-dense, and consuming it in conjunction with snacks can lead to weight gain over time. In fact, binge drinking, defined as consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short time, is particularly harmful. “This behaviour can lead to acute alcohol-related liver disease, cardiovascular complications, and, in extreme cases, fatalities,” he said.

Diwekar predicts that these drugs will continue to proliferate, as they are still “far from peaking”. However, she also feels that early users will stop using them in 2026 “due to adverse effects, especially on muscle mass.”

Dr Yogesh Shah, Consultant, Internal Medicine, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Indore shared that weight loss medications, particularly newer options like Semaglutide (commonly known as Wegovy or Ozempic ) and liraglutide, reportedly show side effects such as nausea and vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, mild abdominal discomfort and loss of appetite. “It is essential always to use these drugs under medical supervision, especially since they may also impact blood sugar levels, particularly in diabetic patients,” he stressed.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.