Spanish for Intermediate Learners: Discuss Popular Diets and Food Fads
Learn to talk about diet trends and food fads in Spanish, using the verb 'estar de moda' and related expressions. Practice with a dialogue and exercises.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
In this lesson, you will learn how to discuss popular diets and food fads in Spanish. You will use the phrase 'estar de moda' to say something is trendy, and other expressions to talk about what people are eating and why. This is different from talking about sustainable eating; here we focus on temporary trends. You will practice with common Latin American Spanish, and I will note regional variations where relevant.
By the end, you can…
- ask and answer questions about popular diets and food fads.
- use 'estar de moda' and related expressions to describe trends.
- name several diet trends in Spanish and express opinions about them.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
¿Qué dietas están de moda ahora?
What diets are trendy now?
keh DYEH-tahs ehs-TAHN deh MOH-dah ah-OH-rah
Use this to ask about current diet trends. 'Estar de moda' means 'to be trendy'.
La dieta keto está muy de moda.
The keto diet is very trendy.
lah DYEH-tah KEH-toh ehs-TAH MOO-ee deh MOH-dah
Add 'muy' to emphasize. You can replace 'keto' with other diet names.
Se usa mucho el ayuno intermitente.
Intermittent fasting is used a lot.
seh OO-sah MOO-choh el ah-YOO-noh een-tehr-mee-TEHN-teh
This impersonal construction is common to say something is widely practiced.
Ahora todos hablan de la comida orgánica.
Now everyone talks about organic food.
ah-OH-rah TOH-dohs AH-blahn deh lah koh-MEE-dah ohr-GAH-nee-kah
Use 'todos hablan de' to say everyone is talking about something.
No me convence esa moda.
That fad doesn't convince me.
noh meh kohn-VEHN-seh EH-sah MOH-dah
Use this to express skepticism about a trend.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To talk about what is trendy, use 'estar de moda'. For example: 'La dieta paleo está de moda' (The paleo diet is trendy). To ask, invert: '¿Está de moda la dieta keto?' You can also use 'ponerse de moda' to say something becomes trendy: 'Se puso de moda el ayuno intermitente' (Intermittent fasting became trendy). Note that 'moda' is feminine, so adjectives agree: 'esa moda' (that fad), 'una moda pasajera' (a passing fad).
When to use it
Use these expressions in casual conversations about food and health. For example, when someone asks '¿Qué se usa ahora?' (What's used now?), you can reply 'Se usa mucho la dieta mediterránea' (The Mediterranean diet is used a lot). Be careful: 'dieta' can mean 'diet' as in way of eating, but also 'diet' as in restricting food. Context clarifies. In Latin America, 'hacer dieta' means to be on a diet: 'Estoy haciendo dieta' (I'm on a diet).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
¿Qué dietas están de moda ahora?
What diets are trendy now?keh DYEH-tahs ehs-TAHN deh MOH-dah ah-OH-rahSe usa mucho el ayuno intermitente y la dieta keto.
Intermittent fasting and the keto diet are used a lot.seh OO-sah MOO-choh el ah-YOO-noh een-tehr-mee-TEHN-teh ee lah DYEH-tah KEH-toh¿Y qué opinas de la comida orgánica?
And what do you think about organic food?ee keh oh-PEE-nahs deh lah koh-MEE-dah ohr-GAH-nee-kahCreo que es más que una moda, es un estilo de vida.
I think it's more than a fad, it's a lifestyle.KREH-oh keh ehs MAHS keh OO-nah MOH-dah, ehs oon ehs-TEE-loh deh VEE-dahA little context goes a long way
In many Spanish-speaking countries, discussing diets and food trends is common in casual settings. However, be mindful that food habits are personal; avoid criticizing others' choices. The term 'dieta' is neutral, but 'moda' can imply something temporary. In Argentina, 'hacer dieta' might be replaced with 'estar a dieta', but both are understood. Also, 'comida orgánica' is widely used, but in some regions, 'comida natural' is preferred for similar concepts.
One thing to watch for
Using 'ser de moda' instead of 'estar de moda'.
Try this instead: The correct phrase is 'estar de moda'. 'Ser de moda' is not used. For example, say 'La dieta keto está de moda', not 'La dieta keto es de moda'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'The paleo diet is trendy' in Spanish?
Show a sample answer
La dieta paleo está de moda.
This uses 'estar de moda' correctly. You could also say 'La dieta paleo está muy de moda' to emphasize.
2Translate: 'Intermittent fasting is used a lot.'
Show a sample answer
Se usa mucho el ayuno intermitente.
The impersonal 'se usa' is appropriate. Alternatively, 'El ayuno intermitente se usa mucho' is also correct.
3What is the opposite of 'estar de moda'?
Show a sample answer
Estar pasado de moda.
'Estar pasado de moda' means to be out of style. For example: 'Esa dieta está pasada de moda' (That diet is out of style).
Use 'estar de moda' to talk about trendy diets and food fads. Remember to conjugate 'estar' correctly and use 'moda' with feminine adjectives. Practice with friends to sound natural.
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