Wondering what the top food and health trends of 2022 will be? We’ve put together a list of the top trends we expect to see plenty of this year.

10 Food and Health Trends for 2022

 

1. Immunity-Boosting Foods

There has been a significant increase in interest surrounding foods that boost immunity. In 2022, expect to see a huge interest in potential immune-boosting foods such as:

• Citrus fruits (kiwis, lemons, limes, grapefruits, oranges)
• Spices (cinnamon, turmeric, basil, oregano, ginger, rosemary)
• Cruciferous vegetables (Brussel sprouts, cabbage, broccoli)
• Berries
• Nuts and seeds (pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts)
• Fermented foods (sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha, yogurt)
• Foods fortified with adaptogens, zinc, Vitamin D and Vitamin C
• Immune-boosting supplements

 

2. Brain Foods

Along with a focus on how food affects the immune system, expect to see an interest in foods that support brain health and mental health. With people living longer, there is an increased interest in keeping a sharp brain despite aging.

Some of the best foods for a healthy brain include:

• Leafy greens
• Fatty fish
• Oranges
• Coffee
• Tea
• Walnuts
• Berries

 

3. Healthier Coffee

Although coffee offers health benefits already, people are looking to get even more out of their coffee. From adaptogens to functional ingredients, there is a growing interest in coffee with a little extra health kick.

 

4. Healthy Skin from the Inside Out

The skincare industry is booming, with countless topical anti-agers, moisturizers, cleansers, and serums available for a range of concerns. In 2022, however, expect to see a growing interest in nourishing skin and hair from the inside out.

A variety of nutrients can support healthy skin and hair, including:

• Vitamin D
• Vitamin C
• Collagen
• Omega 3 fats
• Antioxidants
• Protein

To nourish your skin and hair from the inside out, centre your diet around whole, unprocessed, anti-inflammatory foods, such as:

• Fatty fish (sardines, salmon, tuna, anchovies)
• Berries
• Nuts and seeds
• Bell peppers
• Leafy greens
• Broccoli
• Tomatoes
• Dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa)
• Avocado
• Sweet potatoes

 

5. Increased Effort to go Waste-Free

2022 will likely see a continued effort from individuals, manufacturers, restaurants, and companies to work on cutting down on food and packaging waste. We hope to see the trend continue and only get stronger in the years to come.

At Isagenix, this trend is nothing new for us. We’re dedicated to choosing environmentally friendly packaging for our products and integrating sustainable materials wherever possible.

Our goal of zero-waste packaging by 2028 is ambitious, but we are committed to achieving it by converting all packaging components to recyclable, reusable, compostable, or recycled materials.

 

6. Food For a Better Mood

More people are realizing the effects — both good and bad — that food can have on overall well-being, mood, and outlook. We expect 2022 to see plenty of interest in foods that support a positive mood.

From fatty fish (omega 3’s) to vitamin D rich foods to probiotic-rich foods, expect to see an emphasis on a diet that is rich in healthy mood foods.

 

7. Sustainable Grains

Do you know the difference between a perennial and an annual grain? Perennial grains have deeper root systems than annuals, making them better at preventing soil erosion and trapping greenhouse gases.

Kernza, a perennial grain, will become more popular as a result of increased interest from consumers seeking sustainable, environmentally friendly ingredients.

 

8. Seaweed and Other Sea Plants

The next trend for 2022 — seaweed and other sea plants — continues with the sustainability theme. Sea plants are often hailed as one of the most sustainable, healthy food sources.

Seaweed, kelp, and dulce can be found in snacks, condiments, and salads. Sea plants provide a rich source of unique, powerful nutrients, including:

• Vitamin K
• Magnesium
• Iron
• Vitamin C
• Iodine
• Calcium (sea kelp has more calcium than milk!)
• Copper
• Potassium
• Vitamin A
• Fibre
• Antioxidants

 

9. Omnivore Eating and “Flexitarian” Diets

Plant-based eating has been all the rage for years, but this year we expect to see omnivorous diets — diets that include both meat and plant sources of food — gain interest. This diet focuses on eating a bit of everything rather than cutting out certain food groups.

Rather than an “all or nothing” approach, individuals are leaning toward a more balanced approach to eating. An omnivorous diet is often labelled as “flexitarian” eating since it focuses on including a variety of foods from both plant and animal sources.

 

10. Mushrooms

For the last food trend of 2022, we expect to see mushrooms become even more popular, especially as a meat substitute. With their neutral taste and meat-like texture, mushrooms make an ideal, healthy meat substitute for anyone looking to add more plants to their diet.

Mushrooms are versatile, affordable, and easily accessible. They also boast an impressive nutrient profile:

• Low in calories
• High in fibre
• High in antioxidants
• Great source of plant-based protein
• Excellent source of a variety of vitamins and minerals including selenium, vitamin D, B vitamins, copper, and potassium

Along with enjoying them plain or using them as a meat substitute, expect to see mushrooms show up in some surprising places such as in functional beverages.

 

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed our list of the top 10 food and health trends we expect to see in 2022. Is there a trend we missed? Please be sure to let us know — we always appreciate your feedback.