Modern human beings are definitely fascinated with self-improvement and the consequences of this trendy form of selfishness are quite obvious, wherever we look. New eating plans, revolutionary research into all the aspects of human nutrition, brand-new machines that help us remove unwanted hair, cellulite, whiten our teeth and improve our skin - we get to see these and a million more similar devices and ideas virtually every day, and enjoy their advantages accordingly. The same is valid as far as diets and weight loss are concerned - and yes, the road to health is paved with new combinations and possibilities. Here is what the experts have to say about the latest in how and what to eat.

Like the fashion world, diet experts are going retro. "The biggest trend I see is a back-to-the-basics approach - getting away from highly processed foods and back to whole foods," explains nutritionist Cynthia Sass, who works as a national spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. The point in this is to move away from what could be called the "strictly weight loss diet book". What this means is that the old-fashioned eating plans that aimed to help you lose as much weight in as little time as possible are no longer recommended. What's important now it to subscribe to an eating plan that aims to bring about not just weight loss, but also a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

"We will focus our attention on those plans that provide us with 'recipes' for staying healthy in mind, body and spirit", states Celente, publisher of The Trends Journal. Another trend is that which revolves around the so-called functional foods. "Food as medicine or functional foods will continue to grow - foods that heal, foods for prevention, anti-aging foods, foods for specific health issues, foods as nutrition therapy", says another nutrition expert. "Foods will be increasingly marketed this way to consumers". This means that the focus is now shifting from drastic weight loss to maintaining a healthy lifestyle altogether. No more crash diets that exhaust us. The point is to blend the useful with the healthy - and take it from there.