New year, new eats: Scientists reveal the must-try food trends of 2025
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As we usher in the year 2025, the culinary landscape is ripe with innovation and a renewed focus on health and sustainability.
Keeping up with the latest food trends isn't just about staying trendy—it's about nurturing our bodies and minds with the best that nature has to offer.
Here’s what the top scientists have to say about the most promising food trends of 2025 that are not only delicious but also grounded in solid science.
Whole Foods
Gone are the days when flashy packaging and clever marketing could sway our food choices.
According to Professor Tim Spector, a leading voice from nutrition company ZOE, “In 2025, it's time we take a hard look at what we're eating, prioritize whole food and stop being swayed by marketing tactics that put profit over our health.”
Whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds, are minimally processed and closer to their natural state, providing a wealth of nutrients and benefits for our bodies.
The Fiber-Focused Diet
Professor Sarah Berry echoes Spector's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of a diet rich in fiber.
High-fiber foods are not only essential for digestive health but also play a crucial role in preventing chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
By incorporating more fiber-rich foods into our diets, we can improve our gut health and reduce inflammation, leading to a happier, healthier life.
Protein: Quality Over Quantity
The protein craze has reached its peak, and it's time to reassess our intake. While protein is an essential macronutrient, most Americans consume far more than necessary.
“Focus on balanced, varied nutrition rather than obsessing over protein, and prioritize fiber-rich plant-protein foods,” recommended Spector. Foods like legumes, whole grains, and nuts are not only rich in protein but also provide fiber and other vital nutrients.
Gut-Healthy Beverages
Sugary drinks are out, and gut-friendly beverages are in. Kombucha, kefir, and other probiotic-rich drinks are gaining popularity as healthier alternatives to sodas and sweetened beverages.
"Eighteen percent of our energy intake comes from sugary drinks, contributing to metabolic disorders like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease," Berry said. "Instead, make water your main drink and swap sodas and sweetened beverages for healthier options which promote gut health and reduce disease risk."
By making water our primary drink and incorporating these fermented options, we can support our gut microbiome and reduce the risk of metabolic disorders.
Plant-Based Eating vs. Carnivore Diets
While extreme diets like veganism and the carnivore diet have had their moments, balance is key for 2025.
A diet that includes a variety of plant-based foods can improve gut microbiome health and overall well-being.
You don't have to go fully vegan, but incorporating more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains while reducing red and processed meats is a strategy that benefits both your health and the planet.
"Eating more plant-based foods improves gut microbiome health, a crucial factor in overall well-being," said Spector.
Cutting Back on Ultra-Processed Foods
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are ubiquitous in our diets, but their impact on our health is becoming increasingly clear.
Berry said, “Over 60 percent of our diets consist of UPFs, which are linked to increased disease risk, including obesity, type 2 diabetes and even brain disease and dementia. Cutting back on UPFs can help reduce metabolic disease and heart disease, the two biggest killers.”
Source: TMJ4News / Youtube.
Learning to read labels and choosing whole, minimally processed foods can help us avoid these health pitfalls.
The Benefits of Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent fasting, particularly time-restricted eating (TRE), is not just a passing fad.
Eating within a specific window each day can improve energy levels, mood, and weight management.
"Time-restricted eating (TRE) is gaining popularity for its health benefits, including improving energy, mood and weight management," Spector remarked. "New research shows that an earlier eating window—such as finishing meals by 7 p.m.—can enhance mood and metabolism."
To support our metabolic health, scientists recommend swapping out less healthy snacks for options like nuts, seeds, and whole fruits.
Trendy and nutritious foods to add to your diet include rye bread, fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut, mushrooms, extra virgin olive oil, and even dark chocolate in moderation.
Aside from trying these new food trends, it’s also important to watch what you’re eating right now. You might be hurting some parts of yourself, such as your gut, without your knowledge. Learn about some foods to avoid in this story here.
Do you have any questions about these food trends? Do you have any experiences with these food trends? Share your thoughts and tips in the comments below!
Keeping up with the latest food trends isn't just about staying trendy—it's about nurturing our bodies and minds with the best that nature has to offer.
Here’s what the top scientists have to say about the most promising food trends of 2025 that are not only delicious but also grounded in solid science.
Whole Foods
Gone are the days when flashy packaging and clever marketing could sway our food choices.
According to Professor Tim Spector, a leading voice from nutrition company ZOE, “In 2025, it's time we take a hard look at what we're eating, prioritize whole food and stop being swayed by marketing tactics that put profit over our health.”
Whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds, are minimally processed and closer to their natural state, providing a wealth of nutrients and benefits for our bodies.
Scientists from nutrition company ZOE recommend embracing whole foods and reducing the intake of ultra-processed foods for a healthier 2025. Image source: Pexels / Ella Olsson.
The Fiber-Focused Diet
Professor Sarah Berry echoes Spector's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of a diet rich in fiber.
High-fiber foods are not only essential for digestive health but also play a crucial role in preventing chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
By incorporating more fiber-rich foods into our diets, we can improve our gut health and reduce inflammation, leading to a happier, healthier life.
Protein: Quality Over Quantity
The protein craze has reached its peak, and it's time to reassess our intake. While protein is an essential macronutrient, most Americans consume far more than necessary.
“Focus on balanced, varied nutrition rather than obsessing over protein, and prioritize fiber-rich plant-protein foods,” recommended Spector. Foods like legumes, whole grains, and nuts are not only rich in protein but also provide fiber and other vital nutrients.
Gut-Healthy Beverages
Sugary drinks are out, and gut-friendly beverages are in. Kombucha, kefir, and other probiotic-rich drinks are gaining popularity as healthier alternatives to sodas and sweetened beverages.
They advise against obsessing over protein intake, suggesting a balanced diet prioritising fiber-rich plant proteins for better gut health. Image source: Pexels / Macourt Media.
"Eighteen percent of our energy intake comes from sugary drinks, contributing to metabolic disorders like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease," Berry said. "Instead, make water your main drink and swap sodas and sweetened beverages for healthier options which promote gut health and reduce disease risk."
By making water our primary drink and incorporating these fermented options, we can support our gut microbiome and reduce the risk of metabolic disorders.
Plant-Based Eating vs. Carnivore Diets
While extreme diets like veganism and the carnivore diet have had their moments, balance is key for 2025.
A diet that includes a variety of plant-based foods can improve gut microbiome health and overall well-being.
You don't have to go fully vegan, but incorporating more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains while reducing red and processed meats is a strategy that benefits both your health and the planet.
"Eating more plant-based foods improves gut microbiome health, a crucial factor in overall well-being," said Spector.
Cutting Back on Ultra-Processed Foods
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are ubiquitous in our diets, but their impact on our health is becoming increasingly clear.
Berry said, “Over 60 percent of our diets consist of UPFs, which are linked to increased disease risk, including obesity, type 2 diabetes and even brain disease and dementia. Cutting back on UPFs can help reduce metabolic disease and heart disease, the two biggest killers.”
Source: TMJ4News / Youtube.
Learning to read labels and choosing whole, minimally processed foods can help us avoid these health pitfalls.
The Benefits of Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent fasting, particularly time-restricted eating (TRE), is not just a passing fad.
Eating within a specific window each day can improve energy levels, mood, and weight management.
"Time-restricted eating (TRE) is gaining popularity for its health benefits, including improving energy, mood and weight management," Spector remarked. "New research shows that an earlier eating window—such as finishing meals by 7 p.m.—can enhance mood and metabolism."
To support our metabolic health, scientists recommend swapping out less healthy snacks for options like nuts, seeds, and whole fruits.
Trendy and nutritious foods to add to your diet include rye bread, fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut, mushrooms, extra virgin olive oil, and even dark chocolate in moderation.
Aside from trying these new food trends, it’s also important to watch what you’re eating right now. You might be hurting some parts of yourself, such as your gut, without your knowledge. Learn about some foods to avoid in this story here.
Do you have any questions about these food trends? Do you have any experiences with these food trends? Share your thoughts and tips in the comments below!
