This review examines global and regional trends in food consumption and the drivers behind these trends, focusing on the period up to 2050. It highlights significant shifts in dietary patterns, particularly the transition from basic staples to more diversified diets, which have led to considerable health consequences, including nutritional transition and increased rates of obesity and chronic diseases. The review discusses the role of various factors such as urbanization, trade liberalization, marketing, and socio-demographic changes in shaping these trends. It also explores the impact of policies on food availability and consumption, emphasizing the need for coherent and sustainable policies that benefit agriculture, human health, and the environment. The review provides detailed data on food consumption patterns for different food groups, including cereals, meat, dairy products, fish, and vegetables, and analyzes inter-country differences. Additionally, it discusses the rise of organic, functional, and genetically modified foods, and the nutrition transition, which is characterized by adverse changes in diet, physical activity, and health. The review concludes by outlining the drivers of food consumption, including income, urbanization, trade liberalization, and the influence of transnational food corporations, and their implications for public health and policy.This review examines global and regional trends in food consumption and the drivers behind these trends, focusing on the period up to 2050. It highlights significant shifts in dietary patterns, particularly the transition from basic staples to more diversified diets, which have led to considerable health consequences, including nutritional transition and increased rates of obesity and chronic diseases. The review discusses the role of various factors such as urbanization, trade liberalization, marketing, and socio-demographic changes in shaping these trends. It also explores the impact of policies on food availability and consumption, emphasizing the need for coherent and sustainable policies that benefit agriculture, human health, and the environment. The review provides detailed data on food consumption patterns for different food groups, including cereals, meat, dairy products, fish, and vegetables, and analyzes inter-country differences. Additionally, it discusses the rise of organic, functional, and genetically modified foods, and the nutrition transition, which is characterized by adverse changes in diet, physical activity, and health. The review concludes by outlining the drivers of food consumption, including income, urbanization, trade liberalization, and the influence of transnational food corporations, and their implications for public health and policy.