As an Account Supervisor on Coyne’s Food & Nutrition team, I spend a lot of my day thinking about food trends, consumer behavior and the conversations shaping the wellness space.
That’s why I was so excited to attend Hearst Magazines’ third annual Women’s Health Lab in New York City.
I was looking forward to hearing discussions about longevity, mental health and the future of women’s healthcare. But I left thinking about something more specific: what these conversations mean for food, nutrition and wellness brands as more women reframe wellness around strength, nourishment and long-term support rather than restriction.
Three themes stood out to me: the shift from shrinking to strengthening, the way GLP-1s are changing nutrition conversations and the growing need for wellness messaging that feels more nuanced, responsible and actually useful.
The event, hosted in partnership with Northwell Health’s Katz Institute for Women’s Health, brought together influential voices across media, healthcare, entertainment and advocacy, including Laura Dern, Keke Palmer, Gayle King, Maria Shriver, Jessica Capshaw and more.
One conversation that especially stood out was the “Protein Decoded” panel, moderated by Delish Digital Director Katelyn Lunders. The panel featured Registered Dietitian and Author Shana Minei Spence alongside Casey O’Brien, forward for the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s New York Sirens and 2025 Patty Kazmaier Award winner.
Together, they unpacked misconceptions surrounding protein consumption, the impact of GLP-1 medications on nutrition habits and why more women are looking at wellness through the lens of strength rather than restriction.
From Shrinking to Strengthening
One of the ideas that stayed with me most was the shift from shrinking to strengthening.
For years, many conversations about women’s wellness have focused on restriction. What stood out at Women’s Health Lab was how often speakers talked instead about strength, energy, resilience and long-term well-being.
Spence addressed the persistent misconception that prioritizing protein will make women appear “bulky.” Instead, she emphasized protein’s role in supporting strength and muscle health as women age.
O’Brien brought an athlete’s perspective to the discussion, connecting nutrition and protein intake to performance, recovery and functionality. Her point of view reinforced something that came up throughout the day: more women are defining wellness by how they feel, what their bodies can do and how they can support their health long term.
That felt like one of the most consistent themes throughout the day. Not just for consumers, but for the brands trying to reach them.
GLP-1s Are Changing the Nutrition Conversation
GLP-1s came up across multiple panels, and for good reason. These medications are changing how many people think about appetite, weight management and nutrition support.
They are also prompting new conversations around nutrient intake, particularly when appetite is reduced. Among them: how do people make sure they are still getting the nutrients they need? How should protein fit into the conversation? How can brands talk about nutrition in a way that is helpful without being overly simplistic?
During the panel, Spence noted that protein needs vary from person to person but shared a simple framework many women can use as a starting point: roughly 90 grams of protein per day, often divided into 30 grams per meal.
The conversation was not about turning protein into another wellness rule or giving every woman the same number to chase. It was about helping women better understand what their bodies need and how nutrition can support strength, energy and long-term health in a realistic way.
Wellness advice can quickly become overwhelming, especially when it is reduced to trends, numbers or social media soundbites.
What Food, Nutrition and Wellness Brands Should Take From This
For those of us who work with food, nutrition and wellness brands, these conversations offer a useful signal about where the industry is headed.
Consumers are increasingly looking beyond quick fixes and restrictive approaches. They are seeking products, information and brands that support energy, strength, longevity and overall well-being.
The same message will not work for every woman, which means brands have an opportunity to talk about wellness with more responsibility and relevance.
It means being careful with language that reinforces pressure or perfection.
It means recognizing that many consumers are thinking about food through the lens of strength, recovery, satiety, aging, energy and sustainability.
It means understanding that nutrition conversations are becoming more personal, especially as GLP-1 medications continue to shape how people think about appetite.
Most importantly, it reinforced how critical it is for wellness conversations to feel supportive, realistic and achievable.
Final Thoughts
What stayed with me most from Women’s Health Lab wasn’t a single statistic or recommendation. It was the broader shift in how experts, healthcare leaders and advocates spoke about women’s health.
Throughout the day, the focus consistently returned to strength and self-awareness rather than chasing unrealistic standards of perfection. Speakers emphasized building habits that support energy, resilience and overall health in ways that feel realistic and achievable.
The conversations reinforced that the future of women’s health and wellness may be less about doing more and more about helping people feel stronger, healthier and better supported throughout every stage of life.
Updated as of July 2026
