In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleAnti-Inflammatory DietTeaTropical FruitDatesHoney MustardHigh-ProteinCanned FoodsCognitive HealthWeight-Loss SupplementsCalming Mocktails
In This ArticleView All
View All
In This Article
Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Tea
Tropical Fruit
Dates
Honey Mustard
High-Protein
Canned Foods
Cognitive Health
Weight-Loss Supplements
Calming Mocktails
Close
Photo:Collage elements: Getty Images and Abbey Littlejohn. EatingWell design.
Collage elements: Getty Images and Abbey Littlejohn. EatingWell design.
In 2024,EatingWellaccurately predicted trendslike hydration, Caesar salad and gut health to be top of mind for many. And for 2025, we’re expecting more nutritious trends to be all the rage—think fibrous pantry staples, low-sugar substitutes and relaxing nonalcoholic drinks.
From ingredients you won’t get enough of to foods focused on specific nutrients to help you feel your best, here are our 10 food and health trend predictions for the new year.
1. Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Theanti-inflammatory dietis here to stay. New studies show that a diet focused on anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, omega-3-rich fish and tea may helpdecrease risk of cognitive decline, especially if you have a preexisting condition that puts you more at risk, likediabetes.
2. Tea
Let’s spill the tea: For this trend, we’re talking about how your humble mug of tea can do more than keep you cozy during the wintertime. Tea can also help support your immune system, reduce cancer risk and keep you hydrated, amongother healthy benefits.
Our readers are already on board, as the beverage has seen a 200% increase in interest on our website this year. And Whole Foods is also predicting a spotlight on tea in 2025, according to their market forecast report.Whether your preference isgreen tea,ginger teaor a cup ofchai, there are plenty of reasons to sip up this nutritious drink.
The Best Tea for Bloating, According to Dietitians
3. Tropical Fruit
We weren’t sure which tropical fruit to choose, so why not all of the above? We predict that your refrigerator will be stocked with an array of summertime fruits—think guava, mango, passion fruit andpineapple—once the weather starts getting warmer, and you won’t be able to get enough of it.
4. Dates in Place of Added Sugar
Datesare finally getting the love they deserve, and for good reason. Fromstuffed datestoFig Newton–Inspired Energy Balls, the sweet fruit provides a caramel-like taste, making it a healthier alternative to refined sugar.
According to the American Heart Association, added sugar intake should not regularly exceed 36 grams per day for men and 25 grams per day for women, so incorporating delicious substitutes that help you feel your best into your daily routine is a health-conscious approach.It’s clear that lower-sugar foods are progressively appealing (we predicted this as a trend for 2024), and our no-added-sugar recipes and expert advice continue to soar, with a 189% increase in interest. Date syrup may just be your new favorite pantry staple.
5. Honey Mustard
Other nostalgic ’90s flavors have resurfaced lately—think cottage cheese and sun-dried tomatoes. What’s next on the list? We think honey mustard will be big in 2025.
Honey mustard may just be the superior mustard—honestly, any condiment that combines sweet and savory flavors is bound to be a winner. We predict the world is going to appreciate this beautiful mustard/sauce/dip for what it is in 2025: a delicious meal enhancer you will never get tired of. It’s more than just a pairing for chicken tenders. Honey mustard can also be the deserving star in anall-purpose salad dressingor the base in afan-favorite chicken salad. But of course, it’s also great served as a dip, whether it be withpea podsorCrispy Baked Turkey Nuggets.
Grilled Honey-Mustard Chicken with Zucchini-Corn Relish
6. High-Protein Ingredients
When you think of high-protein foods, things like red meat, chicken and protein shakes may come to mind. While those foods can be good sources of protein, we predict other protein-rich foods (especially plant-based ones) will stand out in the coming months. Greek yogurt, nuts, beans and cottage cheese have been at the top of peoples’ grocery lists and show no signs of slowing down.
“Protein is really having a moment, and I think that’s because there’s a lot more awareness on how it can help promote satiety, muscle growth, healthy digestion and healthy aging,” saysJessica Ball, M.S., RD, registered dietitian and nutrition editor atEatingWell. “While most Americans meet their protein needs easily in their eating patterns, there has been growing interest in eating less meat, whether it’s for personal preference, health benefits or environmental concern. That’s why I think plant-based and vegetarian foods that are high in protein will be front-of-mind for people in 2025—we all saw what happened with cottage cheese!”
The 7 Best High-Protein Snacks for Brain Health, According to Dietitians
7. Canned Foods
We’ve noticed an uptick in interest in pantry staples, specifically canned foods. Whether it’s due to higher food costs and their shelf-stable nature, canned fruits, vegetables and proteins can be a healthy, budget-friendly choice. Our readers want to know which canned foods can help them meet theirweight-loss goalsand improve theirblood sugar levels, and which canned foods theymay have overlookedat the store.
8. Cognitive Health
Another trend that will betop of mindfor 2025 is a focus on cognitive health. Whether it behabits to decrease risk of cognitive declineor thebest high-protein snack for brain health, our readers are studying up on what foods, exercises and lifestyle practices will help keep them sharp. And Fresh Thyme Market agrees with us again, as they note “boosting brain power” to be a predicted trend, too.Reducing risk of dementia and improving brain health is definitely a trend we can get behind.
6 Foods You Should Be Eating Every Day for Better Brain Health, According to a Dietitian
9. Over-the-Counter Weight-Loss Supplements
With the rise in popularity of GLP-1 medications for diabetes and weight management, we are seeing an increase in trends like“natural” GLP-1 alternatives,“nature’s Ozempic”and over-the-counter weight-loss supplements. Over-the-counter pills may sound like an intriguing quick fix for those looking to reach specific goals, but here’s what Ball wants you to know before buyingsupplementswith weight-loss claims:
“I’m generally skeptical about over-the-counter medications or ‘natural alternatives’ that claim to have the same effects as GLP-1 medication,” the dietitian says. “First off, compounding formulas and supplements are not regulated like FDA-approved prescription drugs, so it can be difficult to know what’s actually in them. In fact, the FDA and American Diabetes Association both recommend against using them for this reason.Not only can they be a safety concern, but they are also expensive and usually aren’t a sustainable solution for weight loss. As a dietitian and nutrition professional, I would never recommend them.”
I’m a Dietitian and Here’s Why I Don’t Recommend Weight-Loss Supplements
10. Calming Mocktails
More and more people are starting to show interest in a sober lifestyle and cut out alcohol from their diets, which is why we expect the rise of the mocktail. But not just any mocktails; mocktails that just taste like sparkling juice are OUT, and mocktails that actually make you feel something are IN.
More nonalcoholic beverages on the market are starting to be infused with calming ingredients like kava,magnesiumandadaptogens, making them the perfect drink to end the day with. We’re loving brands like Recess and De Soi that are leading the charge with their innovative mocktail creations—they’re worth the try this Dry January. You can also make your own calming drink at home with ourTart Cherry Nighttime Mocktailrecipe; the tart cherry juice provides a natural source of magnesium.
11 Mocktail Recipes That’ll Get You Through Dry January With Ease
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SourcesEatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Whole Foods Market.Whole Foods Market forecasts the top 10 food and beverage trends for 2025.PR Newswire.Fresh Thyme Market releases second annual top 10 food trends for 2025.American Heart Association.Added sugars.Kroger.Kroger predicts top five food trends of 2025.American Diabetes Association.The American Diabetes Association announces statement on compounded incretin products.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA’s concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss.
Sources
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Whole Foods Market.Whole Foods Market forecasts the top 10 food and beverage trends for 2025.PR Newswire.Fresh Thyme Market releases second annual top 10 food trends for 2025.American Heart Association.Added sugars.Kroger.Kroger predicts top five food trends of 2025.American Diabetes Association.The American Diabetes Association announces statement on compounded incretin products.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA’s concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss.
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
Whole Foods Market.Whole Foods Market forecasts the top 10 food and beverage trends for 2025.PR Newswire.Fresh Thyme Market releases second annual top 10 food trends for 2025.American Heart Association.Added sugars.Kroger.Kroger predicts top five food trends of 2025.American Diabetes Association.The American Diabetes Association announces statement on compounded incretin products.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA’s concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss.
Whole Foods Market.Whole Foods Market forecasts the top 10 food and beverage trends for 2025.
PR Newswire.Fresh Thyme Market releases second annual top 10 food trends for 2025.
American Heart Association.Added sugars.
Kroger.Kroger predicts top five food trends of 2025.
American Diabetes Association.The American Diabetes Association announces statement on compounded incretin products.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA’s concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss.
