Health food trends 2023
Whole Foods Market’s top food trend predictions for 2023
Every year, popular health food store Whole Foods Market compiles a list of top trends it expects to see in the year ahead. Yaupon-infused beverages, produce-packed pastas and repurposed pulp are among the trends expected to rise in popularity in the year ahead, it reckons.
“Our trends predictions are an exciting look at where we believe both product innovation and customer preferences are headed in the coming year,” said Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, chief marketing officer at Whole Foods Market. “We anticipate seeing these trends in the food industry at large, on dinner tables, in lunch boxes and on our store shelves.”
New Brew: Yaupon
Yaupon is a holly bush found in the southeastern USA and happens to be North America’s only known native caffeinated plant. Indigenous Americans brewed it into herbal tea and prepared it as a 'black drink’ consumed during purification rituals. With its mild, earthy flavour and unique benefits, yaupon has become increasingly popular.
Pulp with Purpose
One in three consumers uses a non-dairy milk alternative at least once a week according to a recent poll. But what about the often-wasted by-products of their production? TikTok creators are exploring ways to use leftover nut and oat pulp at home, and we’re now seeing an influx of brands begin to innovate in this space too. By upcycling by-products like oat, soy and almond pulp, brands are creating new products for the modern baker — think alternative flours, baking mixes and ready-to-eat sweets.
Produce Meets Pasta
First it was chickpea pasta, then cauliflower gnocchi. And who could forget zoodles? Now there’s a new crop of plant-based pasta alternatives to help us all up our veggie and fruit intake, with ingredients like spaghetti squash, hearts of palm and even green bananas. Whether you’re looking for a special diet substitute, a way to incorporate more produce into your diet, or simply want to try something new, these new plant-powered pasta alternatives offer something for everyone.
The Great Date
In spring 2022, dates went viral on TikTok when a creator shared a Snickers-like recipe using the fruit. But the craze for dates isn’t new, they’ve been cultivated and enjoyed since the days of ancient Mesopotamia. Now, thousands of years later, the dehydrated fruit often referred to as ‘nature’s candy’ is having a major renaissance as a sweetener — not only for at-home bakers, but also in the form of pastes and syrups, and hidden in everything from ketchup to overnight oats. With a classic caramel note we can all get behind, dates are having their moment.
Help From Kelp
In its original form, kelp can absorb carbon in the atmosphere, making kelp farming more important than ever in an age of greater environmental awareness. Kelp grows quickly, doesn’t require freshwater or added nutrients, and is nutritious and versatile in food products — you’ll find it in noodles, chips, fish[1]free ‘fish’ sauce and more. As consumers seek out alternative ingredients and experiment with new flavours, kelp-inspired foods are gaining popularity.
Retro Remix
Mac and cheese, pizza bites, classic old-school cereals and more — we all crave the occasional comfort meal from our childhood. According to Mintel Global Consumer research, 73% of US consumers enjoy things that remind them of their past, setting the stage for these nostalgic treats to go mainstream. The twist? Retro products are being reinvented with consideration for the wellness-conscious customer, creating the ultimate mash-up of throwback indulgences with better ingredients and special diets in mind.
Avocado Oil Craze
Avocado oil is finally going mainstream in packaged products across the board. It has some big positive attributes — including high oleic fatty acid content and a high smoke point — to thank for its popularity. Taking the place of other oils like canola and safflower oil in snacks, mayonnaise, ready-to-eat meals and more, avocado oil is sure to stick around.
Let us know what you think. Are there any new foods or drinks that are exciting you this year? We’d love to know! Email: editor@ommagazine.com or connect with us on Instagram
Om Magazine
First published in November 2009, OM Yoga magazine has become the most popular yoga title in the UK. Available from all major supermarkets, independents and newsstands across the UK. Also available on all digital platforms.
