Food trends 2025: what’s coming down the pipeline for food and nutrition? Here’s what we think based on industry predictions and our own experience.
Curious about what you’ll be sipping, snacking, and supplementing in 2025? Spoiler alert: We’re moving on from fancy avocado toast and matcha lattes, and bug candy may not be a widely accepted thing.
One thing is for sure: the world of nutrition, food, and wellness is constantly evolving. Next year’s trends are shaping up to be a fascinating mix of science, sustainability, and a dash of surprise.
Whether you’re a foodie or a supplement enthusiast, buckle up. Here’s what we predict to be the next biggest things in food trends come January.
Swicy (Sweet + Spicy) Food Combinations
Have you ever been asked if you have a preference for sweet or spicy foods? Well, you might not have to be in one camp or the other anymore. It seems that chocolate and pretzels may not hold the ultimate “swicy” seat for much longer.
For instance, Starbucks had a limited-time Spicy Dragonfruit lemonade (which uses a chili powder blend). Coca-Cola launched a spicy cola. And the kids continue to nosh on Takis like there’s no tomorrow for their tastebuds. Unique flavor combos for the win.
Leveled-Up Water Options
Water is still king – that hasn’t changed. However, people are getting tired of the “drink more water” recommendation (even though, yes, you should do that).
We predict that, to align with consumer demands and interests, there will be an uptick in the fancier hydration segment. Perhaps this means more “functional” water products, including beverages infused with adaptogenic ingredients or unique flavors to encourage fluid intake.
Check out our Water Hacking post for some of the ways people are already trying to level up their hydration.
Tea Time
Are tea parties going to be the new pub crawls? We’ll see, but there’s certainly been a change of tides as people become more critical – or at least cognizant — of caffeine and alcohol.
We’ve seen tea-infused products before and 2025 could be the year that teas infiltrate foods even more. You might also see new ways of serving teas. For example, a tea-based energy drink, unique tea lattes, or even sparkling tea beverages.
Doomsday Foods
Do you have a box of apocalyptic supplies in your basement? If so, maybe you’re already prepared to stock up your doomsday cabinets down there as well.
Things like dehydrated ice cream, bottled water, canned goods, freeze-dried fruits and vegetables, or powdered foods that just need to be mixed with water (eggs, milk, cheese). We anticipate more options as the interest in this kind of preparation grows with the uncertainties of the world.
Home-Baked Breads (Sourdough and More)
Everyone has a neighbor who became a sourdough-making expert during the pandemic. And if you don’t know one, maybe it was you. With the rising price of groceries, many people are ditching commercial bread and buying a bread machine.
We expect to see more sourdough starters in our social circles and maybe even uniquely flavored versions. Feel free to drop them off at our doorsteps for a taste test.
Sea Moss and Seaweeds
Sea moss is a type of seaweed. It’s often touted as an up-and-coming superfood because of its rich mineral and antioxidant properties.
While most Westerners probably aren’t eating a plate of sea vegetables regularly, the increase in sea moss supplemental products may draw more interest. After all, sea moss also aligns with other trends like plant-based and functional ingredients.
Mitochondrial Health
Move over, gut health, we’re caring for our mitochondria now. You probably know the mitochondria best as “the powerhouse of the cell” – and unless you went into a science-based profession, your knowledge of it may end there. At any rate, the mitochondria need some love. It’s hard at work making sure our cells are functioning properly.
By honing in on mitochondrial health, researchers think we can tap into age-related cellular decline at the smallest level in our bodies. While some mitochondrial supplements already exist (like Timeline Mitopure), we expect to see more – and probably some functional food and beverages in this space.
Protein from Whole Foods Sources
We continue to see an emphasis on protein intake. Especially among consumers with body composition goals like trimming down and/or building more muscle.
However, while we’ve previously seen a flood of protein-added products (like every granola bar, powdered oatmeal packets, protein shake, and even certain peanut butters), we predict a shift in the ways consumers want to get their protein.
Rather than protein-fortified everything, we think there will be a pivot back to getting our needs met from primarily whole foods.
Yes, you’ll still see protein powders out the wazoo. But with inflated grocery costs, many are looking to boost protein from lean meats, legumes, nuts, and soy products instead.
Specialty Groceries
Eating out is getting too expensive. Have you noticed that more regular grocery stores are carrying fancier specialty items? Whether it’s chocolate hummus, pickle-flavored potato chips, or vegan pepperoni, it’s becoming more possible to enjoy creative dining options at home.
Upcycled Ingredients
Upcycled ingredients are made from foods that would have otherwise been thrown in the trash. Common examples are using ripe bananas to make banana bread or boiling vegetable scraps to make broth. You’re giving something that could be deemed unusable a higher-value purpose.
The combination of rising food prices and concern over environmental sustainability has many people thinking about ways they can save money and reduce waste when it comes to food.
You might see more recipes online that use upcycled ingredients. We also think there will be an increase in commercial products that use certified upcycled ingredients (yes, there is an Upcycled Food Certified label).
Zero-Alcohol Spirits
The N/A drink trend is not going away any time soon. In fact we have heard many health “influencers” talking about how drinking alcohol will probably go the way of smoking in the next decade or so, where most people are aware of the dangers and stay away.
But alcohol does play a role in many of our lives, from socializing to helping us relax after a long week. This means people are looking for products that can help them feel more social or relaxed without the health effects.
This has opened up a significant market for N/A beer, spirits, wine, and more. These products often include functional ingredients like mushrooms, kava, CBD, or caffeine, to give you a non-alcohol buzz.
Sleep-Promoting Nutrition Products
The Millennial moms (in particular) aren’t sleeping well, okay? We’ve tried the melatonin and the herbal tea before bed and are trying to combat our revenge bedtime procrastination tendencies, but it’s not enough.
We live in a stressful time and many people are feeling the effects of high productivity demands without enough hours in a day to do it all and still have time for ourselves.
Recent years have seen lots of new natural sleep products, especially supplements and functional beverages (for adults and kids), and we don’t think we’ve seen them all yet.
Plant-Based Everything (Continued)
The plant-based foods trend has been particularly interesting to watch as consumer interest has steadily grown with no signs of disappearing. The idea of eating a predominantly plant-based diet, or simply reducing the amount of animal products, continues to become less “weird” and more widely accepted.
Most restaurants have at least a couple of plant-based options on the menu and we’ve been pleasantly surprised by the veggie alternatives offered at social and community events.
We expect to see not only new plant-based products continue entering the market but also a revamping of existing products in this niche, such as improving the ingredient list, taste, or texture based on consumer feedback.
Personally, we love trying out new plant-based products (mostly because Lauren is an herbivore and Ana likes to try and trick her husband). Check out our review of Juicy Marbles plant-based loin.
Hormone Health
You may have noticed that topics like fertility, perimenopause, and menopause — and all of the related hormonal symptoms women experience — have become more mainstream conversations, especially on social media (and it’s about time).
In addition to making these very normal and important issues less “taboo”, we predict seeing more hormonal health products on the market.
This will probably be predominantly in the form of supplements (hello, gummies for adults sector), functional herbal teas, and possibly snack bars and convenient breakfast items marketed to women.
Food Dyes and Additives
More people are becoming aware of and concerned about certain ingredients added to our food that may not be necessary.
For instance, food dyes like yellow 5 (tartrazine) or red 40 aren’t new players in the US food industry, but increased attention toward them is likely to pressure more brands to find natural alternatives.
Sustainable Packaging
Sustainability has been a consumer interest for a while now, and we don’t think this trend is going anywhere. When companies invest in sustainability this means they’re aiming to reduce the environmental impact and ecological footprint of their product by looking at the full supply chain.
Sustainable packaging often involves using renewable, biodegradable, or recyclable materials, reducing excess packaging, and designing packaging that can be repurposed or reused.
For consumers seeking more sustainable products, there are a few key indicators to look for: materials like recycled paper, plant-based plastics, and compostable films; certification labels such as FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) for responsibly sourced paper; and products with minimal or plastic-free packaging.
Checking for brands that offer refill options, encourage recycling, or participate in returnable packaging programs can also help make more environmentally friendly choices.
Global Flavors
As the world is more and more connected, cultures inspire each other and find new unique flavor combinations. This trend is also driven by a desire for unique, immersive food experiences.
People are combining and embracing spices, herbs, and cooking techniques traditionally found in Latin American, Middle Eastern, and Southeast Asian cuisines.
This reflects a search for new and innovative flavors, a deeper cultural curiosity, and a shift toward bolder, more complex flavor profiles.
As chefs and home cooks alike experiment with ingredients like gochujang, za’atar, and harissa, the trend highlights a fusion of tradition and innovation, making international flavors more accessible than ever.
Chime In: What other 2025 food trend predictions do you have? Leave us a comment and we’ll look into it!
If you found this post helpful, we think you should read these too:
- Adaptogenic Foods and Drinks: How to Manage Your Stress with Your Diet
- 13 Best High Fiber Snacks, According to a Dietitian
- The Power of Antioxidants: Should You Take Antioxidant Supplements?
- Food Colorings and Dyes: Should you avoid them?
