KIWI’s healthy product and wellness trend forecast for the new year

If you are looking to up your wellness and sustainability game in the new year, these trends may help you reach your goals. Whether your priorities lie in fighting climate change, healing your gut, or cleaning without chemicals, our list has something for everyone.

1. Climate-Friendly Foods

Industrial agriculture is a big contributor to greenhouse gas, stripping the soil of its ability to draw down carbon and contaminating our oceans with fertilizer runoff creating massive dead zones. The solution to this issue is a widespread adoption of regenerative agriculture that restores degraded soil, leading to nutrient-rich foods, more carbon drawdown, and cleaner waterways. 

Companies are awakening to this dire need by producing regeneratively-grown food. You can put your purchase power to good use by looking for labels like Regenerative Organic Certified used by Dr. Bronner’s, Demeter Certified Biodynamic like White Leaf Provision Baby Food (also certified Glyphosate Residue Free) and Sustainably Grown Certified. Other brands leading the way in regenerative agriculture include MegaFood, Sambazon, Annie’s, and much more.

2. Probiotic Cleaners and Sanitizers

Probiotic cleaners have taken the spotlight as a natural alternative to harsh cleaners that give your surfaces and skin a good clean without the harmful side effects. We love Desert Essence Probiotic Hand Sanitizer, Healthy Homes TX Probiotic Cleaning Services, MotherDirt AO+ Mist Live Probiotic Spray, and Aunt Fannie’s Microcosmic Probiotic Power Multi-Surface Cleaner.

3. CBD Products

CBD oil has exploded in popularity over the past few years with no signs of slowing down. You can even find CBD for sale at your local gas station or through a highschool acquaintance on social media, which brings up a major concern–quality. It’s very important to educate yourself on the quality measures that matter, including: seed to shelf traceability, country of origin, and transparency. Companies already fitting this bill include PlusCBD Oil, Green Roads, CBDmd, and Medterra, amongst many others. 

Look for flavored CBD drops like Social CBD Broad Spectrum drops, After Sun Topical Gel from Curaleaf Hemp, and various CBD oil products for pets. 

4. Keto-Certified Foods

According to a recent survey from Moms Meet, 56% of moms are interested in trying keto-related products. While more education is certainly needed in this arena for those not familiar with the lifestyle, the keto diet has hit the mainstream. There is now even a Keto-Certified label available to brands to help you identify which of your grocery store purchases are compatible with your low carb, high fat diet.

Moms Meet Moms are currently sampling Keto-Certified Monk Fruit In The Raw Zero Calorie Sweetener. Read their product reviews now.

5. Plant-Based Meats

Studies have shown that switching to a whole-food, plant-based diet has the power to reverse, stop, or slow down chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Plant-based eating is also better for the environment. Food production accounts for up to 30% of green house gas emissions, with animal production as a big factor. Switching to vegan or vegetarianism could greatly cut these emissions.

The good news is the variety and availability of plant-based meat alternatives is quickly expanding. More restaurants are offering menu items that fit the bill and the grocery selection is flourishing even at conventional stores. Exciting brands like Alpha Foods offers a line of meatless burritos that taste like the real deal and Alpha Nuggets that look and taste like your kiddo’s favorites. Before the Butcher offers a line of UNCUT Plant-Based beef, savory chicken, and roasted turkey burgers, as well as UNCUT Plant-Based breakfast sausage available in stores.

Moms Meet Moms recently tried Lightlife Plant-Based Burgers and loved how similar the taste and experience was to beef burgers. Beyond Meat The Beyond Burger, also sampled by the Moms Meet community, is now featured in multiple meal kit delivery services like Blue Apron and HelloFresh. 

6. Functional Beverages

According to a survey from Chicago data research firm SPINS, sales of functional beverages has increased 5.9% to $27.2 billion this past year. Functional beverages offer added health benefits for optimal hydration, gut health, energy, and beyond.

Noteworthy products include VitaCup Probiotic Blend Infused Coffee Pods, which simplifies the morning routine by skipping the additional supplement. Or there’s Athletic Greens Ultimate Daily, a green powder that can be mixed with water, offering 75 vitamins and minerals supporting 5 critical areas of health. Those looking for healthy skin, nails, and joints are turning to options like ISOPURE Collagen that delivers collagen protein in a flavored drink powder.

7. Fermented Foods

Research has tied the microbiome to everything from digestive to immune health and beyond. Gut health is crucial to a healthy body and brands are beginning to respond in a big way with exciting products. While fermented foods are centuries old, drinks like Farmhouse Culture’s Gut Shot Fermented Veggie Drink are new. To get the benefits of fermented food, you may also want to try established foods and drinks like kombucha, kimchi, and sauerkraut for a dose of good gut bacteria.

8. Low-Sugar Foods Sans the Artificial Substitutes

Low-sugar foods are in high demand. A recent Gallup poll shows that over half of American adults are actively avoiding sugar in their diet. While consumers are looking to cut the sugar, they don’t want to replace it with harmful additives. Instead they are opting for sweeteners like Swerve, sampled by Moms Meet members, made from erythritol, prebiotic fibers, and natural flavor that tastes and bakes like real sugar.

Anyone looking to ditch their current beverage sweetener can turn to Swirl, a zero sugar simple syrup. Notable low-sugar products include Rip Van Wafels that utilizes monk fruit for sweetness and only has one gram of sugar and Two Good yogurt, sweetened with stevia.

9. Mocktails and Alcohol-Free Drinks

With a booming wellness movement, it’s no wonder that more individuals are looking to unwind sans the hangover. Often dubbed the “sober curious movement”, the options for non-alcoholic drinkers have sprung open. With sober social groups, bars catering to the sober community, and delicious concoctions like Bar None Non-Alcoholic Cocktails and Dry Sparkling Soda, living without alcohol is refreshingly mainstream. 

10. Fresh Convenient Meals & Snacks

Millennials are health-minded and on the go, making them big proponents of nutritious prepared food. A recent study from Economic Research Services found that millennials buy more prepared foods than all other age groups. According to Whole Foods, the refrigerated aisle is growing with fresh snack options with simple, minimal ingredients to fuel these consumer’s busy days. We love foods like Fruitlove Spoonable Smoothies and Wildscape Meals.