Our eating and drinking habits have changed drastically throughout the course of 2020, however maintaining health has become more important than ever before.

According to Statista, " 40.42 percent of us followed a healthy and balanced diet during 2020".

We have put together the health and wellness trends that we think may become a big hit this year:-

Plant Protein

Plant protein is becoming increasingly popular with " 41% of people opting for plant-based products for their protein intake" says Vegconomist. The benefits of plant-based protein include increased intake of fibre, lower risk of cardiovascular disease and some types of cancers, and benefits for weight management.

Most consumers in the UK still get their protein intake from meat (74%), but we can see more of those experimenting with plant-based produce even if meat remains in their diet throughout 2021.

Immunity

Due to the global pandemic we are currently facing, we predict that consumers will want to find ways to boost their immune system in hopes of keeping themselves healthy. BHF Dietician Victoria Taylor says " The nutrients that keep our immune system working well include vitamins A, B6, B12, C and D as well as copper, folate, iron, selenium and zinc. Focus on getting these nutrients from a healthy, varied diet including fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, wholegrains, dairy products or fortified alternatives, and meat, fish or plant proteins like pulses."

World Health Organisation highlighted that a healthy lifestyle makes all bodily functions work better, including immunity. Boosting your immune system can help protect against infection and other diseases, and we think this will sway people into switching to a healthier lifestyle for the foreseeable future.

Air Frying

Air frying has become an extremely popular way to prepare food in a healthier way in the UK. A 2015 study demonstrated that food cooked using an air fryer were substantially lower in fat and manufacturers claim that frying can reduce calorie intake by up to 80%.

Air frying can reduce health risks such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer due to oil not being used, this will look more appealing to consumers heading into 2021 and we predict that variations on Air Frying will continue to enter the market in the near future.

Alcohol Free

No or low alcohol has been a widely predicted trend for a while now, with more people wanting to focus on a healthier mind and body. Consumers have already been ditching the beer and wine for Dry January, which could possibly continue into subsequent months & become a way of life.

This trend is starting to become more established with " 33% of consumers drinking no or low alcohol to cut down on their alcohol intake", as the awareness around the effects of frequent alcohol consumption is taken more and more into consideration.

According to Mintel " 27% of Britons are drinking more low- or no-alcohol drinks compared to a few years ago." We expect this trend to continue with more people opting for a healthier lifestyle.

Which health and wellness trends are you looking forward to seeing in 2021? Let us know via our socials at @chefsdotnet on Instagram and Twitter.