Top 10 Food and Nutrition Trends on the Horizon for 2021 – Healthline

The year 2020 brought hardships and change with regard to many people around the globe, plus our everyday habits and behaviors have dramatically shifted.

Our priorities possess changed as well, with many people focusing anew on their health plus well-being, including what they eat. As a result, food and health culture have got changed.

With 2021 just around the corner, we’re about to see these changes come to fruition. With many industry experts expecting massive change, you may wonder what 2021 has in store.

Here are the 10 top meals and nutrition trends expected in 2021.

As Hippocrates once said, “Let foods be thy medicine and medicine be thy food. ” Though this statement is controversial, its essence rings true today — eat foods that nourish you both physically and mentally.

Due to the significant impact of COVID-19 on many people’s physical plus mental well-being, there’s growing interest in eating foods that serve health-related purposes.

1 . Immunity boosters

Foods won’t just become valued regarding staving off hunger pains. The future of meals and drink will take cues from the supplement market, calling attention to the roles that will specific ingredients play in improving overall health and well-being.

COVID-19 was a reminder that health is transient plus can change at any time. For many, this led to looking intended for products that will could support a healthy immune system to better prepare them to get illness.

According to Market Research , over 50% associated with consumers reported taking more supplements to support their immune health within 2020.

This growing desire for immune wellness will continue to end up being a top focus of the health and wellness industry in 2021. Rather than focusing on treating conditions, many consumers will strive to prevent them via the strengthened defense system.

In response to this, the food industry will take notes from your supplement industry by creating products with added nutrients that may support immune system function and overall health, such as zinc, selenium, vitamin C, plus vitamin D.

What’s a lot more, alternative remedies have and are expected to continue in order to increase in sales in 2021. Elderberry, echinacea, astragalus, turmeric, and ginger are some of the top selling herbal supplements claimed to help boost your immune system.

Furthermore, purpose-driven ingredients are usually predicted in order to be at the forefront of the particular food business. Examples of this include adding olive oil to support heart health, supplement C to boost the immune system, or probiotics within kombucha to promote a healthful digestive system.

Although these products will create buzz in the wellness and wellbeing industry, the research behind them is lacking. To date, there are no proven foods, nutrition, herbs, or even other dietary supplements that will certainly prevent or cure an illness, such as COVID-19 ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ).

Given developing consumer fascination with honesty and transparency, companies will need to be careful associated with their messaging and avoid making health claims that are not backed by science.

2 . Mental wellness

Mental health has also become a priority pertaining to many individuals.

While foods alone cannot treat or even cure depression, anxiety, or stress, consuming a mostly minimally processed diet rich in a variety of nutrients may help support your mental health.

Diets rich in antioxidants, vitamins (e. g., B vitamins), minerals (e. g., zinc, magnesium), fiber, healthy fats (e. gary the gadget guy., omega-3s), and other bioactive compounds, such because probiotics, have been linked to better mental well-being, though higher quality studies are needed ( 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ).

In 2021, we’ll notice more food and beverage businesses coming out with products that contain these components with an emphasis on reducing stress plus improving sleep, which will be also associated with better psychological health.

In particular, functional beverages that consist of stress-reducing substances, like adaptogens — substances that can help your own body adapt to stress — and cannabidiol (CBD), the particular non-psychoactive part of the cannabis plant, will increase in popularity.

For example , Four Sigmatic’s Mushroom Hot Chocolate contains a good adaptogen known as reishi, which might induce calmness to help you rest better and lower occasional stress ( 9 , 10 ).

While taking these items may reduce stress and assistance your mental well-being, the particular diet should never replace prescription medications or even other treatment methods, such since therapy. Instead, your diet should be one piece of the puzzle to better psychological health.

An increasing number of consumers are looking in order to support local companies along with a backstory and purpose rather than large corporations.

In fact , according to Kantar’s COVID-19 Barometer , 52% of respondents stated they pay more focus on the origin of their products, with a focus upon buying locally.

3. Localism

The pandemic shutdowns gave many people a renewed appreciation of the nearby community, especially the food purveyors — grocery stores, farmers markets, plus restaurants — that kept meals on our plates.

Going forward, there will become a growing interest in purchasing and consuming locally grown food. It supports the particular local economy, is generally fresher, and has less of an environmental impact .

4. Backstory

Many people are also interested in learning a company’s backstory , such as a multigenerational family-run business.

Companies ought to focus on the meaning behind their items and give customers a reason to purchase their products over those of their competitors.

For a lot of, nice packaging alone no longer makes the product appealing, but rather the particular impact associated with purchasing it.

5. Climatarian

Echoing the benefits of localism, diets are likely to shift to include more environmentally friendly, sustainable foods practices.

Rather than fighting between the two extreme spectrums (i. e., vegan vs. meat-eaters), many people will mostly concentrate on food items that possess the lowest climate impact.

For example, diets may involve a lower intake of animal products but not eliminate them. Instead, consumers might choose animal products with a reduce environmental footprint, such as swapping beef for chicken or eating a few plant-based meals each week.

What’s more, consumers may choose to purchase locally developed produce plus animal-based items to lower carbon emissions caused by long-distance food delivery.

The goal of the climatarian diet is not really an all-or-nothing approach, but rather to make small changes that collectively as a society make a large difference.

For many people, the days from the extremes are more than. In 2021, a large shift to the middle of the particular road is usually expected.

6. Flexitarianism

Trying to convince a meat-eater to go vegan is definitely a big feat, yet meeting all of them somewhere in the middle may end up being easier.

Rather than trying to convince omnivores to ditch meat and animal products entirely, there will be a growing push in order to reduce the intake of animal items. Interestingly, up to 60% associated with millennials are interested in adopting a flexitarian diet , according to Statista .

Consumers may look to swap several meat-based meals meant for plant-based ones each week. Alternatively, they may decrease the portion of pet products in their recipes plus add a lot more plant-based elements.

Companies may continue in order to promote use of plant products but also develop products that contain higher amounts of plant-based substances and lower amounts of animal-based types to help customers find a middle ground.

7. Diet culture overhaul

Numerous people are getting tired associated with expensive diet programs and gimmicky supplements that promise big results yet don’t deliver. In 2021, it’s likely that restrictive diets and weight loss programs can fall out of favor because people seek a more balanced approach to wellness instead.

Popular diets, this kind of as keto, Whole30, paleo, and F-Factor, have been heavily criticized for their intense restrictions that will aren’t sustainable or enjoyable.

Thanks to more nutrition plus health professionals increasing large audiences on social media, we’re starting to see popular — albeit bogus — supplements becoming passé. Instead than getting handfuls associated with supplements, we are seeing the shift toward whole, natural foods.

In addition, more people are embracing eating styles that welcome all meals in moderation, as most individuals don’t want to prevent chocolate for the rest of their life. Instead, individuals are starting in order to embrace other important aspects of food, such since tradition, tradition, and enjoyment.

We’re seeing a trend toward happiness, strength, and vitality over attaining impossible standards of beauty à la Photoshop and FaceTune. Finally, an increasing number of people will aim to prioritize health instead of a number on the scale or their jean size.

Consumers will certainly seek products from companies that strive for lasting, affordable, plus nonrestrictive approaches to health, for example eating a varied diet plan comprising whole, nutrient-dense foods .

They’ll also look for companies that are transparent with their messaging and avoid promoting unhealthy diet messages, such as quick weight loss, starvation, or vilifying certain foods.

The way all of us enjoy meals continues in order to shift because the world changes.

Though convenience food has been around for the long time, the quality and healthfulness associated with these foods are becoming a lot more important, plus companies are anticipated to be more transparent about their ingredients and practices.

8. Meal kits

The entire year 2020 taught many of us that will cooking from home can be a fun and pleasant experience. Still, with existence starting to speed up again, we’ll see a growing trend toward premade meal kits and health-food boxes that save period but still allow you to consume healthy from home.

Food kit shipping services have grown exponentially in the past year thanks to their healthfulness, convenience, and affordability. Actually the meal kit delivery market can be projected to become a $20 billion industry simply by 2027, according to Grand View Research .

Many people love food kit shipping services because most of the prep work like grocery shopping, measuring, and cutting is already done. For a busy person who usually eats takeout during the week, this makes eating healthy much easier plus convenient.

Plus, many of these businesses concentrate on local food, environmentally friendly practices and cater to a variety associated with food preferences and diet plans. As such, dinner kit businesses are anticipated to grow in popularity.

9. Transparency

Many people are tired of misleading, false, or obscure information.

In the past, foods and product companies have been very private about their own ingredients plus practices. Moreover, many create health claims that have got little to no scientific proof in order to back them up.

Along with consumers more interested within the nutritional quality of the food products they consume, there may be the growing expectation that companies are clear, transparent, and honest about goods.

They’re expected to utilize this particular trend by providing ingredient lists which are short and understandable plus avoiding the use of controversial components, such since artificial colors, flavors, and dyes .

What is more, many consumers can look to aid companies along with philanthropic methods, such as giving part of their particular proceeds to an honorable cause, supporting educational opportunities designed for employees, or even protecting the environment.

Many adults are not only thinking about fine-tuning their own diet but also finding healthier food plus supplement options for the entire family.

ten. Kids nourishment

With a lot more kids attending virtual schooling and staying home, parents are now tasked with making lunches instead associated with relying on the school cafeteria.

To better their family’s health, numerous parents will be looking for products that are enjoyable for his or her kids but still nutritious. Furthermore, given expanding concerns regarding sugar and artificial elements in the particular diet, they’ll be looking for food items made with more natural ingredients .

In addition , health supplements for children may be used because added protection to back up their defense mechanisms plus prevent nutritional deficiencies, especially just for children who are considered to be picky eaters.

Finally, expect a rise in plant-based options for kids to support wellness and wellbeing. Many parents hope this will teach their children sustainable and healthy food habits these people can use throughout their own lives.

In 2021 you can look forward to a huge shift within the food market.

Gone are usually the times of severe diets, unnecessary ingredients, plus false promises. As we move forward into the new year, we’ll see more individuals looking to eat food that will has a purpose, story, and serves society and health.

From a dietitian’s point of view, these types of changes appear to be a step in the right direction simply by concentrating on things that truly matter. Therefore, I turn to 2021 along with excitement — and I hope a person do, too.