While we didn’t expect that we would spend a lot of time indoors in 2020, we did it. In 2021, there have been a lot of obstacles and challenges. However, there are lots of opportunities too. New trends that never appeared back in the day have been born. Millions of people across the world used to live and travel freely. Now with the possibility of catching a deadly virus, people have made drastic changes when it comes to food and lifestyle. We are aware of the consequences of food choices on our health and planet. 2020 was a year of reflection and introspection. 2021 is the year to make all the necessary changes linked to food and lifestyle. Here are the seven trends that will define food and lifestyle in 2021. Let’s get started!
1. Sustainability
For several years now, there has been an increase in awareness of sustainable living to protect and preserve the environment. Sustainability is a top lifestyle trend in 2021. And it’s affecting the way people live their lives in different ways. For instance, millions of Americans started consuming lots of plant-based foods in 2020. And most of them want to achieve this goal in 2021.
Further, studies have shown that people are trying to reduce the amount of red meat that they consume. Such food choices have been motivated by a combination of health and environmental considerations. Sustainability not only affects how people eat but also their shopping practices. People have started shifting to long-lasting clothing options. When it comes to shopping for household or grocery items in 2021, people have started prioritizing locally-grown items.
2. Natural solutions
Natural solutions are not new inventions in 2021. They were used even before the era of modern medicine. However, natural remedies are among the biggest trends in 2021. Most consumers have become aware of the benefits of natural remedies for various conditions. One of the key ingredients that have been leading in the world of natural remedies is CBD oil.
Studies are coming out every day. And they are showcasing the benefits of CBD oil in treating conditions such as anxiety and acne. Millions of consumers have adopted this ingredient into their everyday life. The trend is becoming common as most businesses have started offering foodstuffs and products that have been infused with CBD.
3. Self-education
The pandemic has changed a lot of peoples’ lives. Most of them have been forced to slow down and spend most of their time indoors. The increase in the amount of time being spent indoors has led to changes in routines and habits. Among the top trends to come out in 2021 is self-education. Millions of people have started partaking in self-education especially through online lessons and classes.
Since most people were forced to start working remotely in 2020, there has been an increase in the number of resources available to consumers in the digital world. This means that there will be a lot of online courses available in 2021. The rise in the number of people educating themselves online will increase in 2021.
4. Immunity
Immunity was one of the trending topics in 2020. And it will continue being at the top of peoples’ minds in 2021. The pandemic has made a lot of people question how the immune system works. And how it can be strengthened with the right nutrients and minerals. Some of the popular nutrients in boosting immunity include zinc, vitamin D, and vitamin C.
Ingredients such as probiotics and yeast beta-glucans are also becoming popular since they boost the immune system. A study conducted in 2020 by Innova Market Insights found that 54 percent of consumers around the world spend a lot of time educating themselves on ingredients that boost the immune system.
5. Mental wellness
For a long time, food has been linked to emotional wellbeing. It is a tool that is used by people to celebrate, comfort, and socialize. In the last few months, researchers have started studying the role that our diet plays in our mental health and mood. The mood is one of the most difficult things to study. And this means that there’ll never be an alignment between science-supported solutions and consumer demands. The link between exercise and food with mood is a growing area of research. When the mood is discussed, some of the common ingredients that are likely to come up include turmeric, B vitamins, ginseng, and L-theanine.
Mental health is a subject that is becoming popular on most media platforms. And therapists are working hard to reduce it. People are becoming aware of the importance of growing their social network and having their loved ones around them. Even meeting casually with friends has a huge impact on the mental health and wellbeing of everyone.
During the pandemic, millions of people were anxious, depressed, and had panic attacks. And all these were triggered by negative emotions. In 2021, it’s important to look after ourselves and be there for our loved ones. The number of suicides among young adults has been rising in the last few years. Therefore, finding better ways to manage our thoughts and cope with our emotions will define health and lifestyle trends in 2021.
6. Shopping from small businesses
Small businesses were hit hard by the pandemic. And this has motivated a lot of people to shop from small businesses. Consumers are actively looking for small businesses locally when shopping. This lifestyle trend is becoming popular among the youth, specifically millennials and Gen Z. Shopping from independent brands and small businesses has been made possible by e-commerce and social media platforms. This means that entrepreneurs will have an easy time meeting and connecting with stakeholders. This trend is huge in 2021. And it will continue rising in the years to come.
7. Transparency
Where does your food come from? What effects does it have on the environment and the planet? Which ingredients have been used to make this food? These are important questions that you should ask yourself before purchasing food products. Millions of people are demanding transparency not only in food products but also in the entire food system.
According to Market Insights, every three in five global consumers wants to know where food comes from and the ingredients that have been used. Every ingredient in food should have a specific purpose. Processing foods to reduce the number of ingredients is essential in 2021. Ingredients that have several functions in food such as oat flour are essential in our day and age. All foods should be safe. Therefore, people who’ll research extensively and find effective ways to store food will have lots of opportunities in the future.
Bonus trends: Better-for-you foods
Another trend that got popular during the pandemic is an increase in the consumption of better-for-you products. Most Americans have become selective when it comes to buying and eating food because they are aware of its effects on their health and wellbeing. Instead of placing foods into their shopping cart compulsively, consumers are looking at labels and the ingredients that have been used to manufacture the product.
Most of these consumers avoid foods with a longer ingredient list. They spend a lot of time looking at products to make the right buying decisions. Apart from that, consumers are also looking for food items with high levels of minerals, vitamins, proteins, and low calories or cholesterol. The rapid shift of consumers from the reactive to proactive mentality has greatly impacted the global food industry.
Improvement of health and wellbeing is also linked to managing or losing weight. Products that have been made with healthy ingredients, extra protein or fiber, and less sugar usually help people achieve their health goals.
Minimalism
Minimalism is a popular trend in 2021 that has been partly motivated by sustainability. Millions of people are spending most of their time at home. And they are becoming aware of the effects of having excess objects in their space. Most consumers have started discussing and prioritizing mindful purchasing. And this involves focusing on motivation instead of desire when purchasing an object. Buyers are slowly limiting the number of objects that they are buying and focusing on products that will add value.
Conclusion
There will never be a year like 2021. This is the time to learn and develop healthy food and lifestyle trends to protect ourselves, our future generations, and the planet.
Author Bio:
Charlie Svensson is a fast, engaging essay writer. Skilled in content writing and blogging. The favorite topics of his posts are education, social media, marketing, SEO, motivation blogging and self-growth. Excellent adaptability of skills to reach diverse audiences.
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