2023 nutrition trends: Top 10 Healthy Eating Breakthroughs
1-The Continued Rise of Plant-Based Eating
Plant-based eating will continue its meteoric rise in 2023. According to Mordor Intelligence, the plant-based food market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.9% from 2022 to 2027. More people will opt for vegetarian and vegan diets for health, sustainability, and ethical reasons. Expect to see more plant-based meat, dairy, and egg alternatives that offer the same taste and texture as animal products. Plant-based options will also expand on restaurant menus. [Link to benefits of plant-based eating.]
2-Functional Foods Become Mainstream
Functional foods provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition, like probiotics and antioxidant-rich foods. The global functional food market is predicted to grow at 8.04% CAGR from 2022-2027 to reach $267.9 billion according to ResearchAndMarkets.com. In 2023, expect functional foods to go mainstream, with more fortified and enhanced foods, medicinal mushrooms, collagen products, and nootropics aimed at everything from gut health to immunity, brain health, and longevity. [Link to top functional foods.]
3- The Gut-Brain Connection
Understanding the link between gut health and mental wellbeing will become a growing nutrition trend. More people will focus on caring for their microbiome by eating gut-healthy foods like fermented foods, high fiber foods, and probiotic supplements to address issues like anxiety, depression, and poor sleep. Brands will offer more products to improve the gut-brain axis, from mood-boosting probiotic formulations to adaptogenic teas and foods.
4- Hybrid Diets
Strict dieting will give way to more flexible hybrid diets in 2023. With rising interest in plant-based eating, people will blend elements of diets like Mediterranean, flexitarian, and pescatarian eating based on preferences. This hybrid approach provides nutrition variety and allows for personalization. Hybrid diets will combine things like Meatless Mondays, plant proteins, occasional seafood, quality fats, carb cycling, and 80/20 rules. [Link to hybrid diet basics.]
5- Alt-Milks Go Hyper-Local
The plant-based milk alternatives market will continue booming, projected to reach $21.52 billion by 2024 according to Data Bridge Market Research. But alt-milks will also go hyper local, with consumers demanding options made from regionally-sourced seeds, nuts, and vegetables. Oat milk will remain popular, but expect to see growth in local favorites like pecan milk in the South, prickly pear cactus milk in the Southwest, and more. [Link to benefits of hyperlocal alt-milks.]
6-Snackification
People will continue embracing smaller, frequent meals based on carb cycling, intermittent fasting, and circadian diet trends. Look for more grab-and-go, on-the-go snacks, bites and handheld foods that offer complete and balanced mini-meals. Portable snack pacs, protein snack bars, smoothie bites, and nutritious snack chips will become mainstays of functional “snackification.”
7- Alt Flours
With concerns over gluten sensitivity and refined carbs on the rise, alternative flours will surge in 2023. Nutrient-dense flours made from almonds, chickpeas, tigernuts, green bananas and plantains will move from specialty aisles to the mainstream. Products made with alt flours like almond chia bread, chickpea waffles, and cassava tortillas will expand.
8-Food With Benefits
More everyday foods will be enhanced and fortified to deliver added functional benefits. We’ll see probiotic peanut butter, vitamin-infused water and sports drinks, melatonin-enhanced cherries and milk for sleep, and more foods infused with supplements. Savory products like protein bars, soups and butters will also grow in popularity.
9-Wide-Spectrum CBD Foods & Beverages
The CBD and hemp food/drink market is projected to be worth $6.7 billion by 2028 according to Reports and Data. New formulations will offer the “wide spectrum” of hemp phytocompounds for enhanced benefits. More trace amounts in foods, micro-dosed drinks, and CBD/hemp hybrid recipes will emerge.
10-Personalized Nutrition
Generic diet advice will decline as DNA testing and data analytics enable tailored nutrition guidance based on genetics, biomarkers, health conditions, and lifestyle. Companies like InsideTracker and Persona will help customize supplement stacks, meals, macro ratios, and training foods for bioindividual needs.
2023 nutrition trends: Top 10 Healthy Eating Breakthroughs
