What we’ll be eating in 2021: Adults will be indulging in ‘grown-up baby food’, breakfasting on sous vide eggs while working from home and ditching olive oil for posh alternatives

  • British people will be indulging in extravagant breakfasts at home in 2021
  • Upcycled ingredients and vegan food will soar, according to Whole Foods report
  • Grown up baby food and boozy kombucha will also be on the menu next year 

British people will be indulging in extravagant breakfasts at home, opting for more vegan food and even baby food will get a grown up makeover, according to a new report by Whole Foods.

The upmarket US grocer, which has seven stores in the UK, has revealed what will be on British plates in 2021.

Each year, a trends council of more than 50 Whole Foods Market team members, including local foragers, regional and global buyers and culinary experts, compile trend predictions based on decades of experience and expertise in product sourcing, studying consumer preferences and being on the frontlines with emerging and existing brands. 

Significantly influenced by the state of the food industry, the 2021 trends report reveals some of the early ways the food industry is adapting and innovating in response to COVID-19 for a post-pandemic food world. 

Here FEMAIL reveals the top trends we will see in 2021…

British people will be indulging in extravagant breakfasts at home, opting for more vegan food and even baby food will get a grown up makeover, according to a new report by Whole Foods

BABY FOOD, ALL GROWN UP

Thanks to some inspired culinary innovation, parents have never had a wider or richer range of ingredients to choose from. 

This means there’s portable, on-the-go squeeze pouches full of rhubarb, rosemary, purple carrots and omega-3-rich flaxseeds, which are being eaten by babies and grown-ups alike.

Pouches such as ‘Swisse Me’ – designed for adults – have also taken off this year.

Made as as range of ready-to-drink smoothies in packaging that isn’t unlike baby food the snacks contain real fruits, veggies and natural ingredients. Some with a sprinkle of Magnesium to help with the reduction of tiredness and fatigue! They are a perfect healthy snack on their own (or mixed into your favourite recipe) when you need an energy boost. 

Thanks to some inspired culinary innovation, parents have never had a wider or richer range of ingredients to choose from. This means there’s portable, on-the-go squeeze pouches full of rhubarb, rosemary, purple carrots and omega-3-rich flaxseeds, which are being eaten by babies and grown-ups alike. The likes of Little Inca’s Happy Orange Quinoa; Munchfree’s Blueberry and Coconut Quinoa Porridge or Peek-a-Boo’s Apple Peach and Cookies Puree are examples of this

The lines are blurring between the supplement and grocery aisles, and that trend will accelerate in 2021, Whole Foods have revealed. That means superfoods, probiotics, broths and sauerkrauts will be more common ingredients in food, rather than an added supplement. Things like Planet Paleo’s Turmeric Collagen Broth; Om’s Mushroom Powder or The Cultured Collective’s Kraut Caraway (pictured) are joining the trend

‘Lockdown has lead to new passion for cooking’

Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, Chief Marketing Officer at Whole Foods Market, said:   ‘There have been radical shifts in consumer habits in 2020.  

For example, shoppers have found new passions for cooking, they’ve purchased more items related to health and wellness, and more are eating breakfast at home every day compared to pre-COVID.’

Jade Hoai, Director of Purchasing and Operations in the UK, added: ‘Food trends are a sign of the times, and our 2021 trends are no exception.

‘At Whole Foods Market we pride ourselves in leading the way with the latest food and drink trends. 

‘Our customers rely on us to offer the absolute best quality alternative products that are unique to our stores, from alcoholic kombucha to upcycled hummus, there’s a trend for everyone, and you’ll find the very best of them here at Whole Foods Market.’

WELL-BEING IS SERVED

The lines are blurring between the supplement and grocery aisles, and that trend will accelerate in 2021, Whole Foods have revealed.

That means superfoods, probiotics, broths and sauerkrauts will be more common ingredients in food, rather than an added supplement. 

Whole Food say their suppliers are incorporating functional ingredients like vitamin C, mushrooms and adaptogens to foster a calm headspace and support the immune system – which understandably has been a big trend amid the pandemic.

EPIC BREAKFAST EVERY DAY

With more people working from home, the most important meal is getting the attention it deserves, not just on weekends, but every day. 

There’s a whole new lineup of innovative products tailored to people paying more attention to what they eat in the morning. 

Think pancakes on weekdays, sous vide egg bites and even vegan eggs alternatives made from mung beans. 

Traditional English breakfasts are falling out of favour with Millennial and those belong to Generation Z.

Research earlier this year revealed 57 per cent of those under 35 had never had kedgere for breakfast, while many had also never tried museli, black pudding or boiled egg and soldiers.

However, Instagram friendly morning meals including cloud eggs, avocado toast and waffles are among the most loved breakfasts for young people. 

BASICS ON FIRE

With more time in the kitchen, home chefs are looking for hot, new takes on pantry staples. 

This means pasta, sauces, spices are getting a revamp 

Get ready for reimagined classics like hearts of palm pasta, applewood-smoked salt and ‘meaty’ vegan soup. 

With more people working from home, the most important meal is getting the attention it deserves, not just on weekends, but every day. Superfood Bakery’s Morning Dreamers Pancake Mix; Follow Your Heart’s Vegan Egg or H Forman & Son’s Salmon Smoked London Cure are among the supermarkets best sellers 

With more time in the kitchen, home chefs are looking for hot, new takes on pantry staples. This means pasta, sauces, spices are getting a revamp Get ready for reimagined classics like hearts of palm pasta, applewood-smoked salt and ‘meaty’ vegan soup. Seggiano’s Red Lentil Tagliatelle; Womersley’s Raspberry Vinegar or Dorset Sea Salt’s Smoked Sea Salt are all examples of this 

COFFEE BEYOND THE MUG

The love affair between humans and coffee burns way beyond an oat flat white. 

That’s right, java is giving a jolt to all kinds of food.

You can now get your coffee fix in the form of coffee-flavoured bars and granolas, smoothie boosters and booze, even coffee yogurt for those looking to crank up that breakfast parfait. 

This will continue into 2021 with the likes of Whiskey cold brew and coffee protein powder hitting the shelves.

You can now get your coffee fix in the form of coffee-flavoured bars and granolas, smoothie boosters and booze, even coffee yogurt for those looking to crank up that breakfast parfait. Truestart Coffee’s Vanilla Coconut Cold Brew Coffee; Sukin’s Energising Body Scrub with Coffee or Pulsin’s Iced Coffee Protein Drink are among the delicious coffee-infused snacks selling well

UPCYCLED FOODS

Peels and stems have come a long way from the compost bin. 

Whole Foods say they are  seeing a huge rise in packaged products that use neglected and underused parts of an ingredient as a path to reducing food waste. 

Upcycled foods, made from ingredients that would have otherwise been food waste, help to maximise the energy used to produce, transport and prepare that ingredient. 

Trendy hummus brand ChicP, which has taken of this year, is made from surplus ingredients – while OddBox, a subscription service for fruit and veg that would have otherwise been thrown away has also seen huge growth.

Whole Foods say they are seeing a huge rise in packaged products that use neglected and underused parts of an ingredient as a path to reducing food waste. Upcycled foods, made from ingredients that would have otherwise been food waste, help to maximise the energy used to produce, transport and prepare that ingredient. Rubies in the Rubble’s Plant-Based Chilli Mayo; CHICP’s Beetroot Horseradish and Sage Hummus or Dash Water’s Sparkling Cucumber Water are all examples of this

OIL CHANGE

Slide over, olive oil! 

There’s a different crop of oils coming for that place in the skillet or salad dressing. 

At-home chefs are branching out with oils that each add their own unique flavor and properties. 

Walnut and pumpkin seed oils lend a delicious nutty flavor, while sunflower seed oil is hitting the shelves in a bunch of new products and is versatile enough to use at high temps or in salad dressing. 

Try the trend with Clearspring’s Pumpkin Seed Oil; Seeds of Wellness’s Chia Oil or Bio Planete’s Organic Peanut Oil.

BOOZED-UP BOOCH

Last year, FEMAIL predicted the spike of sales in Hard Seltzers – an alcoholic sparkling water for 2020. 

In June, White Claw, a drink so popular in the US it had to be rationed in supermarkets, made its British debut and since the likes of Smirnoff have launched their own versions.

Now, more Whole Food predicts the likes of  alcoholic kombucha hitting supermarket shelves. 

Hard kombucha checks all the boxes among young, health conscious drinkers.

It’s gluten-free, it’s super bubbly and can be filled with live probiotic cultures. Cheers to that! 

Whole Food predicts the likes of alcoholic kombucha hitting supermarket shelves. Hard kombucha checks all the boxes among young, health conscious drinkers. It’s gluten-free, it’s super bubbly and can be filled with live probiotic cultures, Among the best sellers is Bottleg Booch’s Ginger Alcoholic or Pink Lady Apple Kombucha

THE MIGHTY CHICKPEA

The time has come to think beyond hummus and falafel, when cooking with chicpeas – with even chickpea pasta being sold in Whole Foods. 

Rich in fibre and plant-based protein, chickpeas are the new cauliflower — popping up in products like chickpea tofu, chickpea flour and even chickpea cereal.  

The time has come to think beyond hummus and falafel, when cooking with chicpeas – with even chickpea pasta being sold in Whole Foods. Rich in fibre and plant-based protein, chickpeas are the new cauliflower — popping up in products like chickpea tofu, chickpea flour and even chickpea cereal. Try Eat Real’s Hummus Crisps; Bobs Red Mill Gluten Free Garbanzo Chickpea Flour or Mr Organic’s Chickpea Rice.

FRUIT AND VEGGIE JERKY

Jerky isn’t just for meat lovers anymore. Now all kinds of produce from mushrooms to jackfruit are being served jerky-style, providing a new, shelf-stable way to enjoy fruits and veggies. ​

The produce is dried at the peak freshness to preserve nutrients and taste. 

If that’s not enough, suppliers are literally spicing things up with finishes of chili, salt, ginger and cacao drizzle.

Jerky isn’t just for meat lovers anymore. Now all kinds of produce from mushrooms to jackfruit are being served jerky-style, providing a new, shelf-stable way to enjoy fruits and veggies. ​Products include a variety of items available now or coming to Whole Foods Market stores for either local or national distribution.

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