- Fiber, global flavors and quick healthy meals will dominate 2026 food and health trends.
- Sensory drinks, natural dyes, skyr and beans rise as people seek gut, brain and overall wellness.
- Travel, exclusive launches and age-focused eating shape broader lifestyle and shopping habits.
In 2025, EatingWell accurately predicted food and nutrition trends like high-protein ingredients, tropical fruit, tea and weight-loss supplements. As the year comes to a close, we’re looking ahead at what’s in store for 2026—and boy, do we have predictions. Spotlighting nutrients, health concerns and specific ingredients, we gathered 10 trends for the new year that you’ll see everywhere.
Using our traffic data and industry trends, let’s take a look at the picks we expect to take over grocery shelves, consumer habits and even your next vacation.
1. Fiber
We love protein, but it’s time to share the spotlight. Prioritizing gut-healthy fiber is on the rise, and we think this is a trend that will only boom in 2026. This isn’t just our prediction; Oatly’s Future of Taste report shares the rise of high-fiber drinks (noting pageviews for articles mentioning the nutrient spiking 9500% from June to July this summer), and Whole Foods Market predicts fiber to be a focus for incoming products in the new year.
But this doesn’t mean protein won’t continue to receive some love. In fact, we think protein and fiber are most powerful together, providing a satisfying, nutritious bite when combined. Our readers think so too, which is why our most popular recipe of 2025 was High-Protein Blueberry & Peanut Butter Chia Pudding, which is loaded with 17 grams of dietary fiber.
2. Global Flavors
Dubai chocolate, matcha, Turkish pasta… there are too many international food trends in 2025 to count. And in 2026, we expect global flavors to be highlighted in traditional grocery stores instead of just specialty markets. Major brands are already preparing to expand their palates, with McCormick being a prime example as they just named their 2026 flavor of the year to be black currant, an ingredient most prominent in European cuisine.
This trend will be prominent on grocery shelves, and you can also embrace it in your own kitchen. Our award-winning Heritage Cooking column spotlights family recipes from around the world, so bring more variety to the table and try out lunches and dinners like Ukrainian Cabbage Soup or Spicy Tuna Salad.
3. Healthy in a Hurry
Now more than ever, people are looking for the intersection between nutritious and quick. This trend expands beyond the easy skillet dinner; It also shines light on how pantry staples and freezer favorites can be the centerpiece of a dish. And when it comes to recipes, made-ahead breakfasts will become your new favorite, especially overnight oats, chia pudding and parfaits that are packed with essential nutrients.
It’s no wonder that overnight oats recipes received 33% more engagement this year on our website, and content centered around canned soup and canned tuna were clicked on 16% and 50% more frequently (respectively) compared to last year. Whole Foods also touts “instant reimagined” as a trend, highlighting tinned fish, instant espresso and pre-made protein bowls that transform the microwave meal into a more flavor-packed, healthy experience.
4. Sensory Sips
We love drinks that make you feel good. But what about drinks that also just feel good? The rise of the multi-sensory sip is upon us. Think: pillowy cold foam atop a smooth iced brew, juices and lemonades that embrace the pulp, boba tea, perhaps the resurgence of whipped coffee? Who’s to say, but we predict that beverages in 2026 will expand beyond hydration and offer a more textured experience.
Drinks will go beyond mouthfeel, they already have. Some of our top recipes this year include Orange-Carrot Turmeric Ginger Shots and Frozen Lemon-Ginger-Turmeric Shots, which provide an internal sensory experience with a *tingly* sensation. It’s clear the next drink era will blur the line between flavor and feeling, and the possibilities are endless.
5. Natural Food Dyes
In April 2025, the FDA announced its plan to phase out synthetic food dyes like Red No. 40 and six others from the U.S. food supply in the coming years, with hopes of expediting this proposal on school meals in 2026. In the meantime, we’re starting to see brands remove synthetic food dyes from packaged foods, from dye-free Cheetos and Doritos to Walmart eliminating food dye from their store brand products.
“More research is needed to clarify food dye’s impact on long-term health. But regardless of how ultra-processed foods are colored, they are a food that should be consumed in moderation,” our senior nutrition editor and registered dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD, says. “While some research has found food dyes might have a marginal impact on health, other components of these foods—like their high sodium, added sugar and saturated fat contents—are more strongly linked with negative health effects over time. Using a natural dye does not influence that.”
6. Skyr
Cottage cheese is great and all, but there are other dairy sources of protein that are worth making the base of your breakfast. Skyr, an Icelandic cultured dairy product, is an underrated editor favorite that we’re thinking will finally get the recognition it deserves next year.
It follows the trend of embracing simple ingredients, as skyr is simply cultured pasteurized skim milk with live active cultures. Plus, across all People Inc. brands (EatingWell is a part of People Inc.), audiences are consuming content spotlighting yogurt 15% more often this year compared to last year—so we think skyr will be a hit due to its similar consistency and higher protein content when compared to yogurt. And EatingWell’s readers specifically are interested in gut-healthy diets (+7%) and digestive health (+60%). Gut-healthy ingredients are key to a healthy microbiome, and skyr is a great place to start. Top the thick cultured dairy with berries and granola for a quick and easy breakfast.
7. Wellness Travel
As you plan your next vacation, consider the food and wellness facilities in the area. We’re expecting an uptick in travel that goes beyond the relaxing beach trip, and so is Airbnb. In their 2026 Travel Predictions report, the brand predicts travelers to prioritize cooking classes, winery tours and food-focused destinations in their itineraries.
Travel should be a form of self care, so a city’s walkability, local hiking trails, spa options and food scene will become a more important factor in vacation planning, especially for younger generations.
8. Longevity & Dementia Prevention Diets
Now more than ever, brain health and cognitive function are a priority for boomers and Gen X. Our audience has had a skyrocketing interest in healthy aging (content engagement is up 330% in 2025 compared to 2024), dementia (181%), Alzheimer’s disease (121%) and neurocognitive disorders (a whopping 7654%).
There are ways to support your brain health through diet and exercise, and we’re constantly covering the newest studies that focus on the best foods to prioritize for brain health.
“Eating a diet packed with brain-supportive nutrients, such as the MIND diet, is a great starting place for staying sharp as you age. But it’s really about your lifestyle as a whole,” Ball explains. “On top of meeting your nutrient needs, things like staying active, challenging your brain with games or new hobbies, finding social support and regular checkups all support longevity and long-term health.”
9. Exclusive Products
The age of exclusivity and the populist product—a term described by Highsnobiety as “algorithm-driven, fleeting and viral”—is here. Limited-time launches and blind boxes won’t just be a fad that’s transforming toy stores. We’re also seeing it for kitchen products and food launches. Le Creuset blind boxes, Starbucks “Bearista” cups, Stanley’s limited-edition LoveShackFancy collection, buy-before-it’s-gone Trader Joe’s finds… this exclusivity trend has been brewing for quite some time, and with the rise of PopMart and mystery dumplings, it’s bound to make its way into every industry, including food.
10. Beans & Legumes
Pulses (beans and legumes) are having a moment, and it will only be elevated in 2026. Our readers are specifically loving cannellini beans (with 29% more interest in 2025) and lima beans, also known as butter beans (up 262%). Beans and legumes are so versatile, shelf-stable and nutrient-dense, keeping your gut and heart as healthy as can be.
Embrace the pulses and have them for breakfast, lunch and dinner—yes, really. Try a Berry-Coconut Smoothie with blended-in red lentils in the morning, have a bean salad in the afternoon and finish the day strong with a highly-rated Cheesy Chicken & White Bean Skillet.
