The wellness space rarely stays quiet for long. There is always a new product, ingredient, study, or health claim competing for our attention—usually while promising to make life healthier, easier, and somehow more optimized before breakfast.

My Q2 2026 media roundup reflects many of the conversations that shaped the past few months, from the changing role of protein powder and creatine to functional beverages, meal replacement drinks, and cooling clothing designed around women’s real physiological needs.

For my Forbes articles, I spoke with nutrition experts, founders, and brand leaders to explore how these categories are evolving and what consumers should consider before incorporating new products into their routines.

I also had the opportunity to contribute expert insight to publications including SELF, Food & Wine, Martha Stewart, Everyday Health, EatingWell, Delish, Prevention, Women’s Health, Parade, and AOL. The topics ranged from heart and bone health to gut health, stress eating, nutrition labels, and practical everyday food choices.

Across all these conversations, one message kept coming up: wellness works best when it supports real life rather than asking us to build our entire lives around it.

Forbes Stories Shaping Today’s Wellness Conversations 

Protein Powder Has Changed. Here’s How To Choose The Right One

Protein powder is no longer used only by athletes or bodybuilders. More people are turning to it for healthy aging, muscle maintenance, recovery, weight management, GLP-1 use, busy schedules, and low-appetite days.

This article looks at what really matters when comparing protein powders, including protein sources, ingredient lists, sweeteners, added sugars, third-party testing, transparency, taste, and how each product fits into an overall diet.

The main takeaway: the best option is not necessarily the trendiest one. It is the one that suits your nutritional needs, preferences, budget, and everyday routine.

Why Creatine Is Having A Major Moment With Women 

Creatine is becoming a bigger part of the women’s wellness conversation, particularly around strength, exercise performance, recovery, healthy aging, and potentially cognitive health.

This article explores why more women are interested in creatine and how brands are making it feel more approachable and practical through powders, bars, and other convenient formats. 

It also looks at a broader shift in women’s wellness: moving away from quick fixes and focusing more on strength, function, energy, and long-term resilience.

How Food Brands Are Reinventing Themselves For Modern Consumers 

Consumers are still interested in wellness, but they are increasingly looking for options that feel practical, trustworthy, enjoyable, and easy to maintain.

This article examines how Daily Harvest, Bulletproof, and Misfits Market are evolving to meet changing expectations around protein, fiber, gut health, ingredient quality, convenience, value, and taste. 

It also explores why successful wellness brands are learning that more health claims do not always create more value. Sometimes, people simply want products that serve a clear purpose and fit naturally into their lives.

The New Energy Drink Boom Is About More Than Caffeine 

Energy drinks look very different from the neon cans and extreme-sports branding many people remember.

This article looks at how newer brands are positioning these products around focus, productivity, travel, studying, workouts, and everyday energy. 

It also examines what consumers should consider beyond the branding, including caffeine levels, added ingredients, sugar, sleep disruption, and individual tolerance. A better-looking can does not necessarily make an energy drink a better choice for everyone.

Are Meal Replacement Drinks Healthy? Benefits, Risks, And What To Know 

Meal replacement drinks have moved far beyond the old-school diet shake. Today, people turn to them for convenience, sports nutrition, low appetite, increased nutritional needs, and support while using GLP-1 medications.

This article explores where these products can be helpful, where they may fall short, and what to consider before using a bottled or powdered option as a meal. 

The key is context. A drink with protein is not automatically a complete or balanced meal, but the right product can still be a helpful tool when used thoughtfully.

Why Cooling Clothing Is The Next Frontier In Women’s Wellness

Not every important wellness conversation this quarter centered on food or supplements.

Drawing on conversations with leaders from ThirdLove and Piper and Mint, this article looks at how brands are developing cooling clothing for hot flashes, night sweats, postpartum recovery, hormonal changes, and temperature-related sleep disruption. 

Their insights highlight how thoughtful design can address real physical experiences that have often been dismissed as minor discomforts. The article also reflects a larger shift toward creating wellness products around women’s actual needs.

Other Q2 2026 Media Contributions

Alongside my original Forbes articles, I contributed expert commentary to the following health, nutrition, and lifestyle stories:

Self:

• You’re Probably Eating More Fat and Calories Than the Label Says—Here’s Why
  

Food & Wine:

• What the American Heart Association’s Updated Dietary Guidelines Mean for Your Plate 
• Can You Get Mercury Poisoning From Canned Fish? Here’s What Experts Say 
• This ‘Longevity Vitamin’ Has Puzzled Scientists for 30 Years — Now They May Have Answers 
• Your Brain Might Not Know the Difference Between Real Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners, Study Finds 
• This Nonalcoholic Drink Serves Up to 59% of a Key Mood-Boosting Vitamin 
• Tired of Sneezing? This Everyday Drink Might Offer Some Relief, According to New Research

Martha Stewart

• The No. 1 Grain to Add to Your Meals for More Protein, According to Nutritionists 
• What Happens When You Drink Bone Broth Every Day, According to Dietitians 

Everyday Health

• Can the Korean Switch-On Diet Really Help You Lose Weight Without Sacrificing Muscle? 
• The Best Breakfast Foods for High Blood Pressure 
• Late-Night Snacks Can Mess With Your Gut Health 

Eating Well

• What Happens to Your Bones When You Take Vitamin D and Calcium Together 
• 4 Sneaky Signs You’re Not Getting Enough Zinc 

Delish

• The Healthiest Salad Dressing You Can Buy, According To Dietitians 
• The Healthiest Store-Bought Breads, According To Dietitians 

Prevention

• Fish Oil Doesn’t Reduce Alzheimer’s Risk, Study Says 
• Dietitians Reveal 1 Expert Hack for Getting More Fiber 
• The 12 Best Probiotics for Women, According to Dietitians and Doctors 
• Scientists Uncover 1 Type of Protein That May Lower Your Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease 

Women’s Health

• This Simple Strategy Can Help You Eat Healthier When Stress Hits, Dietitians Say 

Parade:

• 6 High-Calcium Drinks To Support Bone Health That Aren’t Milk 

AOL

• This Nonalcoholic Drink Serves Up to 59% of a Key Mood-Boosting Vitamin 
• Gastroenterologists Wish You’d Eat These Prebiotic Foods for Gut Health 

What I’m Taking From Q2

Looking back at this Q2 2026 media roundup, I am encouraged by the direction many wellness conversations are taking.

People are asking better questions. They want to know whether a product is supported by credible evidence, how it fits into daily life, whether its ingredients are transparent, and whether it solves a genuine problem.

Protein powder, creatine, meal replacement drinks, functional beverages, and wellness apparel may all be useful tools. None of them needs to become a personality, a moral achievement, or another reason to feel as though you are falling behind.

The most effective wellness choices are the ones that help you feel supported, informed, and better able to care for yourself consistently.