For the seventh year, Natural Grocers drew from the expertise of its Nutrition Education team, working alongside its purchasing, marketing, and analytics team, to predict the Top Trends of 2023. Here are some insights for the food and beverage industry.

Seeking simpler snacks

Packed with supplement-style nutrients, functional foods have started to complicate snack time. Consumers will be looking for more “real food” ingredients, protein power, and portability from their snacks — this is a good opportunity for snacks like jerky, trail mixes, nuts, and seeds.

Becoming “sober curious”

In an effort to form a healthier relationship with alcohol, people are pausing their alcoholic beverage consumption and opting for fun, spirit-free drinks instead. Expect to see more non-alcoholic selections on shelves and in menus. 

Choosing healthier indulgences

Not wanting to pass up on the opportunity to treat themselves, health-minded consumers will be interested in better-for-you versions of their favorite comfort foods. Products with benefits like fewer calories, less sugar, and organic ingredients make such foods a bit more permissible. 

Health and wellness and environmentally-conscious trends were also among Natural Grocers’ picks for the new year. Consumers are hoping to boost their gut health with foods rich in prebiotic fibers, probiotics, and digestive enzymes. And purposeful packaging can help them reduce their environmental footprint by recycling more and wasting less.

For a complete list of 2023 trends, see Natural Grocers’ full report.