Although arguably the biggest food news of the past year was the rising cost of groceries, which will no doubt continue to have an impact as we head into 2023, there have also been advances in plant-based products, reducing food waste, and functional foods and drinks that may give everyone something to look forward to in the new year.
This might be the year we finally see ethical, lab-grown meat on the market and obtain a nice vegan fish sandwich.To address these and other growing trends for healthy food that we are likely to see in 2023.
.webp "Top 10 Trends in Healthful Foods for 2023")
1. Economical Eats
While food prices won’t surge at the astonishing speed they did in 2022 — which was as high as 12 percent — they will continue to grow above historical average rates, according to figures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
This suggests more people are saving money by preparing their own meals at home, given that eating out costs more than 3 times as much, on average, according to NBD, a market research firm.
It also entails seeking for techniques to economize on meals. Many people, especially people with larger families, will have to look for affordable options in order to stay on budget, and people will determine where to put their food dollars more closely as they look for inexpensive protein sources.
Such as canned fish, canned beans, lentils and may become more popular, while more expensive types of meat may take a back seat.
2. Additional Plant-Based Choices
You'll probably see even less meat in the new year, speaking of which. A poll says that 27 percent of Americans are deciding to consume less meat.
As a result, interest in healthy alternatives is increasing. Sales of plant-based foods grew three times faster than foods overall, according to figures released in March 2022 and reported by the Good Food Institute (GFI).
In the plant-based meat category, burgers are the most popular, but manufacturers are manufacturing more sausage links and patties and chicken nuggets, tenders, and cutlets, according to the GFI.
Plant-based seafood is a minor but expanding component of the market, including the first frozen vegan sushi and onigiri from Konscious Foods, a firm founded by the same entrepreneur who launched the meat-free burger brand Gardein.
You may also expect to see more alternatives for other animal-based commodities as dairy and eggs, according to a report by Expert Market Research.
Products like Just Egg (which was picked up by coffee chain Starbucks to trial in a new menu this year) and Zero Egg offer alternatives for people with allergies and vegetarians.
3. More Places for Plants
The emphasis on plant-based diet hasn’t simply spawned extra meat, poultry, and fish options, it’s also driving new ways to consume fruits and vegetables.
A lot of people are realizing that they can welcome more plants to their plates without becoming vegetarians and there is also an increase in imaginative uses of vegetables and fruits as individuals seek to fulfill the five-a-day minimum — for example, avocado or kale sauce in place of butter.
Packaged goods companies are increasingly heeding the demand for imaginative plant-based products by blending fruits, vegetables, and legumes into cabinet classics like pasta.
You may locate varieties cooked with chickpeas, lentils, edamame, spaghetti squash, green bananas, and hearts of palm in locations like Whole Foods.
These products allow persons with food allergies or sensitivities to enjoy pasta, and tend to have more protein and fiber and fewer carbs than conventional pasta, which means they may have less of an affect on blood sugar levels.This is a great way to eat pasta without feeling the guilt that many people feel.
4. Meat Cultured
By the end of 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) okayed the first sale of cultured meat, meaning flesh grown in a lab. While the product still needs to gain authorization from the USDA before it can be commercialized, it appears plausible that will happen in the next year.
The manufacturer, Upside Foods, wants to substantially reduce consumption of conventionally produced chicken with their meat, and along with it, minimize the environmental and ethical consequences of chicken farming.
With lab-grown meat, producers take cells from an animal, then make meat from those cells. Biologically, it’s the same as animal flesh, but no creatures need to be slain.
It could minimize the carbon effect of meat consumption, since it doesn’t emit methane gas like grazing animals do. And, it is less likely to spread the foodborne diseases people may obtain from animals.
Foods like these may allow consumers the opportunity to resist climate change, avoid antibiotics and undesirable chemicals in meat, and gain more functional benefits from the foods they consume compared with typical diets. But how well the things genuinely live up to such claims remains.
5. Eco-Conscious Eating
More and more Americans are thinking about the health of the world when they eat, in addition to their own health. As more people purchase responsibly, more people are embracing vegan diets.
Indeed, in a 2022 Cargill survey, over 50% of participants said that they would be inclined to buy packaged goods if the label had a sustainability guarantee.
An even more recent variation, which some industry insiders are referring to as the "regenivore diet," is described by Natural Grocers as entails not only eating sustainably and healthily but also actively contributing to the restoration of the ecosystem by endorsing methods such as regenerative agriculture and repurposing or "upcycling" portions of food that were previously thrown away during the manufacturing process.
Although food waste has received greater attention recently, it is still a major problem since, according to the FDA, about one-third of the food supply in the United States ends up in landfills or compost heaps.Although people are trying to reduce food waste via meal planning techniques, manufacturers are also addressing the problem through upcycling.
For example, Whole Foods Market said that in the spring of 2023, it would start selling oatmeal chocolate chip cookies made in its bakeries using ingredients left over from the production of oat milk. In an effort to combat food waste and climate change.
Renewal Mill produces baking mixes from recycled materials. They also make beverages like Reveal, which is made from discarded avocado pits and is high in prebiotics and antioxidants.
6. Foods That Improve Mood
The demand for functional foods and beverages is still high, and although immunity has received much of the attention in the wake of the pandemic, there is still interest in feel-good foods that may prevent dementia, fight depression, and promote brain health.
According to the Nielsen 2023 Global Food and Drink Trends study, businesses are promoting the benefits of foods and drinks high in caffeine, magnesium, zinc, and B vitamins for the brain.
According to Natural Grocers, the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA are in high demand since studies have shown them help reduce the symptoms of mood disorders. Anticipate a lot of talk on natural nootropics, as reported by studies – ingredients like ginseng, L-theanine in green tea, lion's mane mushroom, and gingko biloba that are said to improve cognitive function.
However, unless more research is conducted, it is unclear if these substances may really be helpful.
7. More Mocktails
Alcohol use is declining, and those who do drink less of it. According to a Gallup poll from 2021, just 60% of American people imbibe alcohol at least sometimes, down from 65% in 2019.
Also, they consume an average of 3.6 drinks a week, which is the lowest amount since 2001.It is believed that these trends will be true, especially in Dry January.
According to the study, people also looked for ways to celebrate and have fun that are less caloric and don't involve drinking as much as they once did." This implies that they are aiming for wine, beer, and spirits devoid of alcohol.
According to My Food Data, a glass of non-alcoholic wine may just have 9 calories, a light wine may have 73 calories, and most wines have between 109 and 120 calories. Additionally, cutting down on alcohol reduces the likelihood of alcohol-related health problems.
Celebrities who are embracing the trend include Bella Hadid, who is associated with the line of adaptogenic beverages Kin Euphorics, and Blake Lively, who launched a line of nonalcoholic drink mixes under the moniker Betty Buzz.
8. Eat to Heal Your Gut
Even if there are still many unanswered questions about the best meals to eat and whether or not to take supplements, people are nonetheless interested in taking care of their gut health. According to Natural Grocers, 44% of Americans said they used vitamins to improve their gut health in the last year.
He believes that will only increase as more and more research demonstrates the direct impact that maintaining your microbiome can have on your general health.
Probiotic-rich foods include fermented cheeses, yogurt, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, tempeh, miso, kombucha, and pickled vegetables. She has also seen probiotics being added lately to various foods, particularly beverages.
These may not be the best ways to get those items into your body, but they might be better choices than soda. As more information on the necessary nutrients to support gut health is uncovered, prebiotics and postbiotics will also play a significant role.
9. Seafood
Because Americans still don't eat enough of this nutritious food—whether it's because of flavor, cost, or availability—producers are trying to find ways to meet consumer demand.
It is expected that more consumers would choose tinned fish over less-known options like mackerel, clams, and sardines. Canted fish includes both tried-and-true favorites like salmon and tuna.
Also One of the least expensive forms of protein you can purchase, canned fish has a long shelf life and is an excellent source of lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
These products—known as conservas in Europe—have long been in demand, and companies like Fishwife, Bela, and Jose Gourmet are now working to create items that will entice American consumers with their exquisite packaging and eye-catching appearance.
Sea greens are a growing category that may help those who don't like fish get their recommended intake of omega-3 fatty acids. Sea greens are available as supplements and as an ingredient in packaged foods like noodles and crackers, according to Whole Foods Market.
10. Sugar substitutes
While people continue to fight sugar, many are switching to natural sweeteners as they become more aware that artificial sweeteners have drawbacks of their own, according to the Specialty Food Association.
This means consuming less highly processed meals and more healthy foods to satisfy sweet desires. Fruit juices, honey, coconut sugar, maple syrup, and monk fruit are a few examples of natural sweeteners.
Whole Foods Market projects that dates and products made from them would be particularly popular in 2022 because to a viral TikTok video that showed how to use dates to make a delectable treat that resembles a candy bar.
Date sugar, date syrup, and a variety of other products sweetened with dates are available for purchase, ranging from hot sauce to baked goods.
