From the viral "Slavic diet" trend on TikTok to former England footballer Andros Townsend revealing that sardines are a staple of his high-protein diet, traditional, nutrient-rich foods are enjoying a comeback.

Recent data analysed by Feel30, a telehealth platform specializing in men's hormone optimization, highlights just how much interest is growing. Online searches for the ‘benefits of sardines’ have almost tripled over the past year, reaching around 19,000 searches each month, while searches for ‘sardines for men’ totalled approximately 6,000 in the last month. The increase suggests more people are looking at simple, affordable foods that offer real nutritional value.

Townsend recently shared that he packed sardines, steak, boiled eggs and bone broth while working at the FIFA World Cup to help maintain his nutrition while travelling. Combined with the popularity of the "Slavic diet" trend, his comments have encouraged many to rediscover the benefits of wholesome, minimally processed foods.

"It's understandable that people become curious when high-profile athletes or former footballers share what they eat.”, said Anneliese Cadena, AGNP-C, Clinical Advisor at Feel30. “Sardines deserve attention, not because they're fashionable, but because they're genuinely one of the most nutrient-dense foods available.”

Despite their small size, sardines are an excellent source of high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and calcium. Together, these nutrients support muscle maintenance, heart and bone health, energy production and overall wellbeing.