2023 Nutrition Trends Alert: What Will Impact Our Eating Patterns This Year?

In 2022, 52% of Americans followed a specific diet, indicating the significance of nutrition in their lives.¹

Healthy nutrition remains top of mind for both consumers and policymakers, and the White House, too.

During the first meeting of its kind in more than 50 years, the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health shared a new national strategy to improve nutrition.²

Here, the main objectives for the next decade were established:

• Food as medicine
• Food sustainability and security
• Food availability
• Personalized nutrition

Achieving these objectives will be the focus of all governmental institutions.

This proves that eating a balanced diet greatly impacts our health and well-being. Yet, with so many nutrition trends, it’s hard to know which ones are worth following.

As we move into 2023, with the help of medical experts, we’ve compiled a list of the top nutrition trends and most popular diets for the coming year.

#1 The Comeback of Retro Foods

The popularity of nostalgically-themed products is rising: 73% of US consumers are interested in items that evoke memories.³

Another research also highlighted the widespread interest in vintage cuisine and drinks. As more people cook at home, childhood recipes provide comfort and joy.

Nowadays, retro products are reinvented with a focus on wellness for the modern consumer. Examples include:

• Artisanal pickles and fermented foods. They have seen a resurgence in popularity due to their probiotic benefits.
• Classic recipes for dishes, such as casseroles and pot roasts, are also updated with modern cooking techniques and ingredients.
• Vintage-inspired cocktails are remade with natural sweeteners and fresh ingredients rather than artificial mixers and syrups.

#2 Proactive Personalization Diets

The “one size fits all” approach to health and eating has been replaced by personalized, “better for me” approaches.

According to a survey, 63% of global consumers are interested in food and drink products that meet their nutritional needs. Moreover, 55% are willing to spend more on functional foods that support their health goals.⁴

Personalized nutrition is a way of understanding how a person’s body reacts to different foods and nutrients and using that information to create a customized diet plan.

This type of nutrition should consider an individual’s taste and cultural preferences and fit into one’s lifestyle. Also, it should cater to people’s unique health needs, such as food allergies, disease prevention, or condition management.

Speaking about health benefits, personalized diets help people:

• Achieve optimal health and wellness
• Lose weight
• Improve athletic performance
• Manage certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure⁵

Companies like DoFasting and Keto Cycle use technology to create personalized diet plans. They are based on individuals’ unique characteristics, such as age, gender, weight, height, physical activity level, and specific needs and goals.

Many companies now offer customized probiotics, diets, and supplements based on DNA and gut tests. As people become more aware of their food choices, finding suitable products for their needs has become highly valuable.

#3 Alternative Proteins

As the world’s population is expected to reach 9 billion in 2050, the demand for food will increase by 70%.⁶ As a result, it is necessary to develop new food products that are edible by humans to alleviate the pressure of food shortages on animal husbandry.

Agronomists, nutritionists, and food scientists constantly develop new alternative proteins as food sources. The demand for expanded protein options will increase by 40–75% in the next few years.

Alternative proteins are derived from plants, insects, and new technologies utilizing cell culture or fermentation. They produce higher nutritional value while causing less environmental harm.

The market for plant-based meat substitutes is quite mature. Among alternative proteins, there are:

• Plant-based pasta (made from spaghetti squash, hearts of palm, and green bananas)
• Marine farming (shellfish, seaweed, algae)
• Beans (lentils, chickpeas)
• Nuts and seeds (almonds, pumpkin seeds)
• Tofu
• Tempeh, seitan
• Quinoa
• Textured vegetable protein (TVP)
• Plant-based protein powders (pea protein, soy protein)

Those proteins are rich in amino acids, fatty acids, and trace elements such as copper, iron, magnesium, zinc, and others. In addition, they are more economical to produce than animal-based proteins.⁸

#4 Experiential Eating / Exploring Other Food Cultures

Three-quarters of global consumers desire to try new flavors from various parts of the world. Additionally, 63% enjoy experimenting with cooking and trying new ingredients.⁹

More people are exploring diverse food in their kitchens: from the scrumptious flavor of French onion soup to the delectable goodness of Georgian khachapuri.

Other exotic tastes include Moroccan bisteeya’s savory pastries, the fermented kick of Korean kimchi, and the sweet-and-sour flavors of Indonesian rendang curry.

A few factors are driving experimental eating:

• The increasing availability of international ingredients and flavors in local markets.
• The rise of foodie culture and the increasing popularity of cooking and food-related content on social media.
• The search for new and interesting flavors as more people become interested in plant-based diets and clean eating.
• The perception of food as a means of creating memorable experiences.

Overall, this trend suggests that people are looking for new and exciting adventures regarding their nutrition.

#5 CBD-Infused Food and Beverages

CBD is a non-psychoactive compound derived from hemp. It is used in various food and beverages for its potential health benefits:

• Pain relief. CBD reduces chronic pain and inflammation by interacting with neurotransmitters.¹⁰
• Anxiety and stress reduction.¹¹
• Improved sleep by reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation.¹²
• Reducing inflammation-related conditions such as acne and arthritis.^{13 14}
• Antipsychotic effects: CBD may be useful in treating psychosis and other mental health disorders.¹⁵

The US CBD food and beverage market is expected to reach $2.65 billion by 2025, with CBD-infused beverages comprising 64%, $1.7 billion, of this market.¹⁶

Manufacturers focus on developing products, such as CBD-infused bakery items, chocolates, tea, gummies, snacks, ice cream, alcohol-free CBD beer, and others. The demand for CBD protein bars among athletes and fitness enthusiasts is also increasing.

As consumers seek products that may improve mood and brain health, the trend toward CBD in food and drinks is expected to continue.

#6 A Shift to Caffeine Alternatives

Many people consume coffee and caffeine daily, which can cause side effects.

Regular caffeine consumption leads to jittery energy, anxiety, digestive issues, headaches, and insomnia. Also, it may be harmful for pregnant and lactating women.¹⁷

That is why health-conscious consumers want to reduce their caffeine intake while still enjoying the ritual of a cup of coffee. It leads to a demand for beverages made with alternative ingredients: the global caffeine substitute market is expected to reach a value of $2.37 billion by 2029.¹⁸

If you’re looking for caffeine-free alternatives, there are plenty of options available:

Chicory coffee

It is made from roasted chicory root and has a slightly sweet, nutty flavor. Chicory coffee is a good source of inulin, a prebiotic fiber that helps feed the good bacteria in your gut.¹⁹

Barley coffee

This coffee is made from roasted barley or orzo. It contains B vitamins and minerals like potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus.²⁰

Yerba mate, chai tea, and rooibos tea

They are all caffeine-free teas that offer a range of health benefits. They help improve focus, weight loss, heart health, and digestion.^{21 22 23}

Coconut water

It is a natural source of electrolytes. Coconut water is low in calories and can help with hydration, blood pressure, and kidney function.²⁴

Golden milk

This beverage is made from non-dairy milk, turmeric, cinnamon, and ginger. It has a warm, spicy flavor and anti-inflammatory properties.²⁵

Nut and seed milk

It is made from ground nuts, seeds, and water. Nut and seed milk helps maintain blood sugar levels, reduce inflammation, and lower stress levels.²⁶

Roasted dandelion root

It has a rich, coffee-like flavor. Roasted dandelion root improves digestion, lowers blood pressure, and boosts the immune system.²⁷

In 2023, the demand for caffeine alternatives will increase due to easy accessibility, health benefits, sustainability, and ongoing innovation in unique and tasty substitutes.

#7 Sustainable, Earth-Friendly Eating

More Americans are considering sustainability when purchasing food, increasing from 27% in 2019 to 39% in 2022.²⁸

Sustainable eating helps address health and environmental problems caused by food production and consumption. The planet’s health is the top global concern, even though economic and political issues are important to people as well. Also, financial pressures make people more likely to be environmentally friendly.²⁹

On a global scale, 49% of consumers have changed their diet in the last two years to lead a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.³⁰ They also demand higher sustainability standards from the companies they buy from.

This awareness is particularly strong among younger people. More than 70% of Gen Z and millennials believe that they are more concerned about the environmental impact of food choices than the previous generations.³¹

In addition, more than half of Americans (52%) now recognize that food and beverage purchases can impact the environment.³² They focus on reducing food waste and expect the same from the brands they support.

#8 Fermented and Pickled Foods and Drinks

One-quarter of consumers consider digestive health to be the most important aspect of their well-being.³³ According to research, a diet rich in fermented foods can improve gut microbe diversity and reduce inflammation.³⁴

What is fermentation? It is a process that utilizes microbial metabolism to transform raw materials into complex foods or feed. Fermented foods and drinks are rich in probiotics and offer many health benefits:

• Improved digestive health. Fermented foods help balance the gut microorganisms and support the natural digestive process. It reduces the risk of constipation, diarrhea, and bloating.³⁵
• Boosted immune system. Probiotics support the immune system by strengthening the body’s natural defense.³⁶
• Heart health. Fermented foods reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels.³⁷
• Mental health. Probiotics help to reduce the risk of anxiety and depression.³⁸
• Weight management. Fermented foods prevent weight gain by reducing appetite and promoting the feeling of fullness.³⁹

Fermented foods also have economic potential and are being developed by industry and scientific researchers to meet the growing demand. The fermented foods and beverages market is expected to grow by $533 million with a CAGR of 7.34% through 2026.⁴⁰

Examples of fermented foods include:

• Pickles
• Fermented beverages
• Cheese
• Fermented meats
• Yogurt
• Sour cream
• Buttermilk
• Beer
• Cider
• Fermented milk
• Chocolate
• Sourdough bread
• Condiments like fish sauce, soy sauce, and vinegar

However, it is important to carefully control the fermentation process to avoid potential health risks.

#9 Vegan and Plant-Based Nutrition

The demand for plant-based foods shows no signs of slowing down. More than half (52%) of global consumers now consider themselves flexitarians, incorporating animal and plant-based or other alternative proteins into their diet.⁴¹

Moreover, two-thirds of global survey respondents desire to try plant-based versions of traditional, local cuisines.⁴²

Plant-based foods could make up 7.7% of the global protein market by 2030.⁴³ Obviously, the growing demand for plant-based products has made it essential to create products that are nutritious, tasty, and meet consumer needs.

In 2023, many vegan options are available:

• Some common vegan protein sources include tofu, tempeh, and legumes such as beans and lentils.
• Vegan alternatives to animal-based products, such as plant-based milk, cheeses, and meats, are also widely available.
• Also, various plant-based foods can be incorporated into a vegan diet, including fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.

Now it is easier than ever to find vegan options when eating out. Many fast-food chains and casual dining restaurants now offer vegan options, and more vegan-specific restaurants are opening.

Most Popular Diets at the Moment

Unsurprisingly, 40% of people gained weight during the lockdown.⁴⁴ With WHO declaring physical inactivity a global crisis, we can expect obesity rates to increase even more.⁴⁵

So, people will seek out diets and products to help them cope with stress eating and lose weight. Which of them are trending now? Here is our list:

• Keto diet (10 billion views on TikTok)
• Mindful and intuitive eating (899 million views on TikTok)
• Fasting (611 million views on TikTok)
• Mediterranean diet (34 million views on TikTok)

There is also a slight difference between Google and TikTok user preferences:

Those diets promise great results with minimal dietary restrictions. So, they are likely to become even more popular in 2023.

Conclusion

Nutrition is an area that undergoes significant changes, and health improvements in the American diets are expected to continue.⁴⁶

In the upcoming year, food is no longer seen as a source of empty calories – people are also considering its economic, environmental, and cultural aspects. Nutrition is used not only for weight loss but also for improving immune function, gut and heart health, and overall well-being.