Healthier and Sustainable Eating Habits to Develop in 2022

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, people today are practicing healthy living habits and making environmentally responsible choices. Due to the increasing trend of making healthy and eco-friendly food choices, it is an exciting time for the food business keeping in mind the 2022 ingredient trends. Bakeries, like other food businesses, were not exempt from COVID’s wrath, as they had to cope with product manufacturing interruptions to lost orders. Despite this, baking products remain a favorite because of their convenience and simplicity. 

To better their health and the welfare of animals, more and more people are choosing a vegan diet, leading to an increase in the number of plant-based food items offered on the menu. Companies across the globe have already started incorporating the latest 2022 ingredient trends into their product lines to meet the demands of modern customers.

So, let us have a look at some of the food trends for sustainable eating habits:

1. The ability to catch attention will be crucial

When it comes to baked goods, the focus has always been on how they look. Since the coronavirus outbreak, individuals are eager to spend more money on goods that are colorful and nice to look at (besides the taste) because they have already suffered a lot in the past couple of years. Because Instagram food blogging has become so popular, you need something unique to publish to stand out. Customers also like cakes and pastries with more layers of variously colored components, as research has shown.

2. Enhancing the significance of an experience

Food is becoming more than just a means to an end. Rather than just filling up on calories, people now see food as a method to improve their perception of taste and texture while enhancing their overall health, according to food and beverage market research. As a result, bakeries are starting to include superfoods into their product line. Not only do these superfoods make meals taste better they also make eating healthier easier. Chia seeds, for example, are often used in bread because they provide a pleasing crunch while improving the nutritional value. People are prepared to spend more for bread that has health advantages, according to research.

3. Locally sourced components 

Increasingly, bakers are incorporating regional ingredients into their recipes to help local farmers. This trend is popular with consumers and shows that it is helpful to everyone concerned. It is possible to reduce your carbon footprint by shopping for locally produced items, which will instill a feeling of civic duty and responsibility in buyers for the greater good. To connect with clients, the introduction of additional localized components further helps the brand, as it may also provide a local and innovative touch to the food products. 

4. The market for gluten-free products continues to expand 

There has been a surge in the number of companies using wheat replacement flours that are both useful and attractive to customers as the demand for gluten-free goods grows. As a result of the rich beta-glucan fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals found in oats, plus the fact that they are affordable, oats are becoming more popular. In addition, oats are eco-friendly as proved in food and beverage market research since they use less water and employ crop rotation methods that benefit the environment.

5. Reducing sugar intake

The rise in diabetes cases throughout the globe is to blame for this trend. Maltooligosaccharides are being used in place of the sugar in certain cookies to achieve low-sugar, high-fiber content. It is done by adding alpha-cyclodextrin, that also decreases the bread’s glycemic index. Those who eat a lot of bread, look for loaves with lower sugar claims. Bakeries are also gradually incorporating products that contain less sugar or no sugar at all in their menu.