Clean‑eating trends to watch
Clean eating in 2026 is leaning hard into functional ingredients — think gut‑health boosters, collagen, fiber and fermented foods — and analysts flag 10 ingredients gaining mainstream traction right now. The plant‑based protein market is also forecast to nearly double to $47.93 billion by 2036, so expect more hybrid and performance‑forward protein options on menus and in meal prep. (foodnavigator-usa.com) (openpr.com) (washingtonpost.com)
FoodNavigator‑USA’s March 26, 2026 feature identified ten functional ingredients set to move into the mainstream this year, specifically calling out collagen peptides, fermented ingredients, prebiotic fibers and probiotic strains as priority targets for food and beverage reformulation. (foodnavigator-usa.com) Market research firm Meticulous Research projects the global plant‑based protein market will reach USD 47.93 billion by 2036, growing at an 8.1% CAGR from 2026–2036 and expanding in volume from roughly 5.7 million tonnes in 2026 to about 12.5 million tonnes by 2036. (meticulousresearch.com) Alternative industry forecasts show a range of outcomes for plant‑based categories; Future Market Insights estimates the broader plant‑based food market will hit about USD 49.5 billion by 2036, illustrating differing headroom depending on segmentation and methodology. (futuremarketinsights.com) Trend trackers and AI‑driven insight firms such as Spate are reporting rising consumer searches and product launches for hybrid proteins, performance‑forward formats and functional hydration — signals FoodNavigator says are already driving menu and NPD changes in 2026. (spate.nyc) Mainstream coverage this week reinforced the consumer focus on microbiome‑supporting eating patterns, with The Washington Post emphasizing dietary diversity, higher fiber intake and fermented foods as central recommendations for gut health. (yahoo.com)
