10 Food Trends to Look for in 2024, From Faux Fish to New Sugar Alternatives

Just as there are annual paint color and gardening trends, there are also a handful of food trends to look forward to in the next calendar year. To help shoppers stay ahead of the curve, Whole Foods just released its annual food trend forecast for 2024.

The list was compiled by the company's trends council—a group of more than 50 Whole Foods Market employees, including local foragers, regional and global purchasers, and culinary experts. The council based their predictions on decades of expertise in both product sourcing and consumer preferences.

Last year, Whole Foods predicted that avocado oil, climate-conscious foods, and nostalgic foods would be popular. In 2024, the food retailer forecasts that grocery carts will be filled with high-end faux fish, buckwheat, spicy condiments, and more.

Plant-Based

Plant-based eating has been popular for years, but Whole Foods predicts that shoppers will focus on filling their plates with real plants rather than opting for meatless items. The retailer is seeing new protein-forward products with mushrooms, walnuts, tempeh, and legumes in place of complex meat alternatives. These products also come with a scaled-back ingredients list—even the labels of some plant-based milk alternatives have been simplified to just two ingredients.

Whole Cacao

Cacao pulp—a by-product of cacao that's typically discarded—is now being utilized to make jellies and jams. The emergence of cacao fruit powders is especially beneficial to brands and consumers looking for a new sugar alternative without compromising on sweet, ambrosial flavor, according to Whole Foods.

Buckwheat

Expect to see buckwheat everywhere in 2024—the seed is gaining popularity as a cover crop that's beneficial to soil health. What's more, buckwheat is also a superfood that contains protein, carbs, and fiber. You've likely seen the gluten-free ingredient in the form of soba noodles, but soon you may see buckwheat in everything from plant-based milk alternatives to granola.

Fancy Faux Fish

Tinned fish and caviar took off earlier this year, so it's only fitting that the fancy fish trend is going to be extended to plant-based consumers in 2024. According to Whole Foods, some plant-based seafood brands are bringing the flavor and texture needed to rival real fish. Expect to see carrots in place of lox, trumpet mushrooms for scallops, and the root vegetable konjac used in sushi rolls and poke bowls.

Water Stewardship 

You may think about conserving water when washing dishes and taking a shower, but brands are even thinking about water stewardship when producing their products. New water brands use water from fruit by-products, which would otherwise be discarded. Even lifestyle and cleaning brands are also pushing water-conscious products like dry shampoos, shampoo bars, and laundry detergent sheets.

Complex Heat

Do you love spicy foods? Then 2024 will be an exciting year for you. Expect to start seeing specialty varieties of peppers on shelves like Scorpion peppers and Guajillo or Hungarian Goathorn peppers, which can be found fresh, whole, ground, or pickled. Additionally, a new wave of botana sauces, chili oils, and pepper-infused drinks are appearing in aisles nationwide.

New Noodles

If noodle dishes are on your weekly dinner rotation, look forward to seeing more options in grocery store aisles next year. Brands are creating more gourmet options to rival the classics, sans certain preservatives and added MSG.

Little Luxuries

TikTok is responsible for many food trends, including “Little Treat Culture"—the practice of indulging in a small, inexpensive item for yourself. Brands are getting in on the trend by producing individual serving packages that add joy without breaking the bank.

Women's Health

More brands are focusing on ways to support women's health, including products for periods, pregnancy, postpartum, menopause, and even sleep. Additionally, food innovators are introducing items like specially formulated bars and snacks for cycle health and menopause.

A Better Boost

If your morning isn't complete without a cup-of-Joe, 2024 will offer you new and improved ways to elevate your daily dose of caffeine. Brands are introducing new coffee and energy drinks with added mushrooms, probiotics, and more.