The next big food trends focus on hyper-personalization (AI-driven), sustainability (upcycled foods, plant-based), global flavors (Yuzu, Calamansi, Garum), "swavory" (sweet/savory) profiles, and high-protein, nostalgic options like cottage cheese and skyr, all driven by tech integration, wellness, and ethical consumption, with cabbage emerging as a surprising vegetable star.
Trend reports point to fiber becoming one of 2026's biggest dietary fixations, driven by gut-health and GLP-1 interest. Consumers are shifting back toward authentic, less-processed red meat as plant-based meat plateaus.
Bidfood cites 'flavours less travelled' as a major food and drink trend for 2025, saying 55% of consumers are looking for new food experiences. There are leanings towards the soul food of America's Southern states – especially Creole and Cajun.
What is the next big thing in the food industry? Personalised nutrition powered by AI is set to be the next big thing. Consumers want food tailored to their health goals, and tech is making that possible. Combined with sustainability and transparency, this trend is redefining how food is developed and delivered.
NEDA ULABY, BYLINE: Among the foods and flavors predicted to be trendy in 2026 are cabbage, black currant and cinnamon rolls. That's according to food oracles, chefs, industry analysts and food influencers.
Gen Z is focused on sustainability, health, and wellness. Their food choices are more likely than any previous generation to embrace flexitarian eating habits — on-and-off vegan or vegetarian lifestyles. Convenience is another deciding factor when it comes to Gen Z food habits.
What food will we be eating in 2050? By 2050, individuals will be eating cultured, or cultivated, meat, high-protein insects, seaweed, algae, and allergen-free nuts. All of this food is rich in essential vitamins and minerals and high in protein.
Yet, with global inflation and recession, food has now become a luxury for many and a necessity that is often out of reach. Globally, people are tightening their spending and purchasing only necessities.
China is the market leader with a share of $2,487 billion in 2021 accounting for 33% of the global market size in the Food segment. Chinese food is one of the most widely consumed cuisines in the whole world.
For all of 2025, prices for eggs, beef and veal, sugar and sweets, and nonalcoholic beverages are predicted to grow faster than their 20-year historical average rate of growth. Prices for nine other food-at-home categories are predicted to grow at a slower rate than their 20-year historical average.
What's Cooking in 2025: Food Trends in India & Globally
By 2030, vertical farms, indoor hydroponic systems, robotic-harvested farms, and other high-tech agricultural innovations will increase the supply of fresh local fruits, vegetables, grains, and herbs. Premium grocery retailers will open branded indoor farms to offer consumers just-picked freshness.
Moreover, the future of food relies on innovative approaches that balance nutrition, health, and environmental responsibility. With innovations such as 3D printing, smart packaging, and non-thermal technologies, food processing technologies continue to evolve.
The top 10 TikTok food trends in 2024
Snack trends suggest that healthy ingredients, such as probiotics and adaptogens, will gain prominence, while upcycled ingredients will offer sustainable, nutrient-dense options. Clean label snacks will become further reliant on transparency and simplicity will continue to flourish.
Food is any substance, usually from plants, animals, or fungi, that provides essential nutrients (carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals) to organisms for energy, growth, and to maintain life, consumed orally for nourishment, pleasure, or health, with fruits like avocados (🥑) and kiwis (🥝) being excellent examples of nutrient-rich options. It's the foundation of nutrition, supporting bodily functions like breathing and immune health, and plays a big role in culture, memory, and well-being, extending beyond just physical sustenance.
“With over 70% of the world's food production reliant on family farmers, this type of farming represents the vast majority of agriculture worldwide, both in developed and developing countries.
The 2-2-2 food rule is a simple guideline for leftover safety: get cooked food into the fridge within 2 hours, eat it within 2 days, or freeze it for up to 2 months to prevent bacteria growth, keeping it out of the temperature "danger zone" (40-140°F or 5-60°C).
“If you became richer or poorer, it didn't change how much fast food you ate,” Zagorsky said. Overall, 79 percent of respondents ate fast food at least once and 23 percent ate three or more meals during any one of the weeks recorded in the study. One hallmark of the heavy users of fast food was a lack of time.
Try the 3-3-3 Method. Choose 3 different protein sources, 3 fat sources, and 3 carb sources only (All veggies and fruit can count as 1 each). This may feel like too little variety but with endless options of spices and cooking techniques, you can make thousands of combinations.
HONEY. Honey has been called the only food that truly lasts forever, thanks to its magical chemistry and the handiwork of bees.
The future of food: What will we be eating in 20 years?
Some of the most endangered food species in the world right now are avocados, cacao, and the grapes that make wine. But also some of the most basic ingredients in the kitchens all over the world, such as potatoes, chickpeas, fish, bananas, or coffee.