Food trends for 2020 will follow a green and sustainable pattern. A recent New York Times article statedthat the cause of the year is our planet. In the midst of rising climate change, food insecurity, and consumers’ worry about the environmental impact of foods, choices will matter.

Responsible farming

The focuses on vertical farming and earth-friendly ingredients and practices will increase as farmers try out regenerative techniques to control weeds, improve soil, and sequester carbon for improved soil health. In the new era of conscious consumption, consumers will appreciate edible and biodegradable packing along with their vegan dishes and meat alternatives.

New beverage choices

Low and no-alcohol drinks are in, but they are not the only ones growing. CBD-infused drinks may far outshine them in the next decade, which may help relieve stress without the side-effects of regular alcohol consumption.

CBD and adaptogens in food and beverage will act as calming agents and help elevate moods as well. Packaged sales of CBD drinks are set to reach $334 million in 2020 and will rise to $1.5 billion in 2025.

Fasting

Food fads change and evolve, and 2020 will be the year of the intermittent fasting trend. Though the jury is still out on whether fasting can lead to long-term weight loss and help the digestive system, dieters see some benefits in it.

The primary reason behind its popularity is the rationale of curbing cravings. In a world where food is available 24/7 and by pressing just one key, training your mind not to eat over long intervals makes sense.

The body takes time to digest, and yet we are continuously eating. Experts also say that fasting leads the body to start burning its own fat for fuel and generate energy. While the diets need to be customized for an individual’s weight and other health considerations, fasting could be an answer to combat the obesity epidemic.

Less alcohol

Along with fasting trends, 2020may also be the year of less alcohol consumption. Cutting down on daily drinking and sticking to weekend drinking may lead to weight control, a decrease in anxiety, limiting skin conditions like rosacea, and improvements in organ health. A recent Yelp survey stated that 2020 would see growing popularity for mocktails and nonalcoholic happy hours.

Healthy comfort foods

Yelp also predicted that 2020 would feature more searches for hearty breakfasts and comfort foods with a healthy twist. People will find healthy substitutes for old favorites so that they indulge without guilt. Cauliflower is set to replace zucchini, and floral-infused food and drinks will trend along with purple yam (ube) ice cream flavors and hard kombucha drinks.

Eater combed through many surveys and listed the food trends for 2020 that range from functional and doable to funny and downright ridiculous. Here’s a quick glimpse.

  • Alt-milk
  • Spreads and butters like macadamia nut butter and watermelon seed butter
  • Gastrophysics
  • Mood-boosting and energy-enhancing adaptogens
  • Culinary mixology
  • Ghost kitchens
  • Collagen-spiked drinks
  • Halloumi cheese as a meat alternative
  • Tasting menus
  • Coconut yogurt
  • Aged rum
  • Natural wine, organic wine, and biodynamic wine
  • Cheese tea
  • Tea-infused spirits
  • Juice pairings
  • Flexitarian blends
  • Booze-flavored snacks
  • Protein coffee
  • Cakes for dogs

You can find the whole list here.

It remains to be seen whether these trends are real or lasting, but they sure have added some zing to the start of the new year. What food trends do you foresee topping trend lists in 2020?