EatingWell's Top 10 Food & Nutrition Trends for 2024

We used traffic data and insights to help us predict the food and wellness trends we think will rise in the coming year.

Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

In 2023, we correctly predicted trends like spritzes, copycat recipes and adaptogen drinks to be all the rage. Meshing nutrition with the foods and activities you enjoy is especially important for your physical and mental health, which was rightfully prioritized over the past year. And in 2024, we’re expecting nothing less.

Focusing on your health should not mean completely cutting out comfort and enjoyment from your lifestyle. You’ll notice that the food and nutrition trends we’re predicting for the new year combine wellness with joy—think fun drinks with a gut-healthy punch and satisfying snacks, among others.

1. Hydration

Staying hydrated will remain top of mind, and with social media trends like “WaterTok” and Stanley tumblers being one of the most seeked-out wellness gifts, this probably isn’t a surprise. Across all Dotdash Meredith brands (EatingWell is a part of Dotdash Meredith) interest in articles about water and hydration grew 29% from last year.

Handling dehydration is just as important, according to EatingWell readers. Articles like The #1 Food to Eat When You’re Dehydrated and Does Dehydration Cause High Blood Pressure? are some of our most-clicked stories published this year. We believe this trend will only continue to grow as the connection between hydration and positive physical and mental health is becoming more apparent.

Related: Why Drinking Water All Day Long Is Not the Best Way to Stay Hydrated

2. Caesar Everything

Datassential, a top food and beverage data collector, is predicting Caesar salad to be loved outside of your typical romaine base with greens like kale and asparagus taking on the creamy dressing. This doesn’t surprise us, as views on caesar salad recipes grew 89% this year compared to last year on EatingWell.com.

After our Caesar-inspired Roasted Cabbage Salad went viral on TikTok, we’re expecting all types of greens to take over this trend, from our Cucumber Ribbons Caesar Salad to our Kale & Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Avocado Caesar Dressing. But it won’t stop at salad; Caesar salad’s ingredients, especially the dressing, will become components of all of your favorite foods. Think: flatbreads, wraps, Roasted Cabbage Wedges and more.

Related: Our 10 Best Caesar-Inspired Recipes You'll Want to Make ASAP

3. Functional Beverages

Last year, we predicted alternative coffees as a top trend for 2023—and Whole Foods has it listed as a trend for 2024. With energy drinks commonly used as a coffee substitute, this may be the transition from the coffee alternative trend we were expecting. Be sure to be mindful of your caffeine intake throughout the day as some of these drinks can have more than twice the amount of caffeine as your average cup of Joe.

Related: Is It Safe for Kids to Drink Caffeine? Here's What Experts Say

This year, we’re expanding this trend by including prebiotic and probiotic sodas (views on articles about probiotics were up by over 1400% on EatingWell.com this year), electrolyte-infused beverages (interest in articles about electrolytes were up 100% on EatingWell.com this year) and more into the mix. Drinks touted to have added health benefits—whether it’s to keep you energized, motivated or improve your gut health—are what we are calling the “functional beverage” trend to look out for.

4. Focusing on Gut Health

Speaking of gut-healthy sodas, we’re noticing a major uptick in interest in foods and drinks focused on supporting gut health—interest in topics like gastrointestinal health grew 60% this year compared to last year on EatingWell.com—so we’re fully expecting that fermented foods and probiotic- and prebiotic-rich ingredients will be a primary focus for the year to come.

Plus, gastroenterologist-approved advice will not only be needed, but it will be seeked out. We noticed articles like The Best Vegetable for Gut Health and Easy Food Swaps to Improve Gut Health featuring insights from gastroenterologist Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, M.D. were especially intriguing for our audience throughout 2023.

5. High-Protein Snacks

Protein is an incredibly important nutrient that your body needs to stay strong and satiated, and in 2024, we’re expecting it to get the recognition it deserves. EatingWell has seen a growth in interest for plant-based protein by 41% since the start of 2023, and protein powder remains a prominent ingredient with a 58% growth.

More and more accessible sources of protein are becoming available on the market, and a top category is snacks. Whether it’s your classic nuts, trail mix or yogurt or new and improved protein bars and chips, we’re ready for the protein takeover on the grocery shelves.

Related: The 10 Best High-Protein Snacks at Walmart, According to Dietitians

6. Food for Menopause

As celebrities like Drew Barrymore, Oprah and Naomi Watts open up about menopause in the public eye, the “taboo” topic is becoming quite the opposite. Resources for menopause and perimenopause are more accessible, and Google’s data is seeing an increase in health trends with terms like creatine and menopause being widely searched together.

There are foods that can help relieve menopause symptoms, including hot flashes, so we think that a menopause-friendly eating pattern will start to be a focus for many without the stigma.

Related: New Research Shows a Vegan Diet May Reduce Hot Flashes by 95%—Here's What to Know

7. No Added Sugar

With dessert trends highlighted in 2023 like date bark, consumers are wanting products that are low in added sugars or have no added sugars. EatingWell’s data shows views on articles about added sugar grew by 1200% since last year. When we talk about added sugars, we’re referring to sugars from sweeteners, syrups and honey—not naturally-occurring sugars found in fruits, vegetables and milk.

Related: 10 No-Added-Sugar Desserts in Three Steps or Less

8. Mocktails

Nonalcoholic drinks have become more popular over the years, and we’re only expecting the mocktail trend to grow. In Pinterest Predicts, the social media’s trend prediction roundup for 2024, tropical booze-free drinks are anticipated to be sipped on all year long—pineapple mocktails were searched for 70% more this past year.

Specifically, we’re talking about alcohol-free beverages that have the flavor and feel of popular alcoholic drinks will be on the rise this year. “People still want to socialize and want their drink experience to be special as if they were ordering a cocktail,” says Alex Loh, EatingWell’s associate food editor. “They want to follow a low-alcohol or no-alcohol lifestyle.” With trends like Dry January and Sober October increasing in popularity each year, we’re anticipating the growth of a sober-curious society.

Related: How to Turn Any Cocktail into a Mocktail

9. Ice Baths and Cold Plunges

Cold plunges are being added to daily routines, and it’s becoming the latest anti-inflammatory wellness trend that celebrities are endorsing. Google’s Year in Search for 2023 listed water chillers for ice baths as a top searched appliance.

While it may provide health benefits like increasing circulation, increasing your metabolism and decreasing muscle soreness, it can cause hypothermia and cold shock if you’re not careful. Talk to a healthcare professional to help decide what’s best for you and your health.

Related: The Best Shower Temperature for Health, According to Dermatologists

10. Interest in Weight Loss Medication

With drugs like Ozempic and natural options like berberine receiving a ton of press for promoting weight loss, we’re expecting a clear uptick in weight loss medications—and possibly prescription requests—on the rise. Datassential reports that 14% of consumers are becoming more interested in GLP-1 receptor agonist prescription drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy.

“With more weight loss medications getting approved, we expect to see interest in them continue to increase. It's important to remember that while these medications aren't right for everyone and should be taken with precaution—just like with any medication—they are a safe option for many people with obesity,” Maria Laura Haddad-Garcia, EatingWell’s senior nutrition and news editor says. “When considering weight loss medication, it's more than a number on the scale an individual is able to reach, but more so, the other health outcomes of reducing their weight. Are they able to move more? Do they reduce the risk of certain chronic conditions? Do they sleep better? Does their quality of life improve? Those are the questions we should be asking ourselves.”

Related: I'm a Dietitian and Here's Why I Don't Recommend Weight-Loss Supplements

Read the original article on Eating Well.