Do you really need individualized food advice? What experts say about the personalized nutrition trend

“Personalized nutrition is tailored to an individual’s unique genetic makeup, lifestyle, and health goals, standing in contrast to general dietary advice, which applies broad, population-level recommendations,” says dietitian Lauren Manaker, RDN. Taking a more bespoke approach to your nutritional needs may help you hone your energy levels, stick with your nutrition goals, and improve your health in the short and long run. 

Interested? Below, Manaker and dietitian Wan Na Chun, RD, Owner of One Pot Wellness, explain how precision nutrition works, its potential benefits, and what this area of nutrition hasn’t quite figured out (yet). 

How precision nutrition, or personalized nutrition, works

“Personalized nutrition uses genetic testing, lifestyle factors, health status, and goals to help provide specific dietary recommendations,” Chun says. This one-size-fits-one approach is common for dietitians. Now, technology—and specifically artificial intelligence (AI)—is making it easier to collect and parse the data necessary for precision nutrition. 

A new class of wearables and at-home tests collect genetic information as well as health metrics such as blood sugar and blood fat. Some at-home tests, like ZOE, even collect fecal matter that can be tested to learn more about your gut health. “Wearable devices can also provide insights into factors including activity level, sleep habits, and stress levels that can also be used to provide realistic and sustainable nutrition advice,” says Chun. 

Put together, all these metrics tell a story about your health and how your current nutritional approach is serving you. Dietitians and other health professionals can then take your personal data to come up with smart…