The plant-based packaged-food category is more expansive than ever - and consumers are excited about this. We asked nutrition experts about these and other factors that influence what we’ll be eating in the year ahead, and these are the healthy food innovations and trends they say we can expect to see in 2022.

“The pandemic has caused supply chain shortages, as well as an increased awareness of food waste,” says Christina Badaracco, MPH, a registered dietitian in Washington, DC, who focuses on sustainability. Of course, COVID has continued to affect our grocery shopping habits too. “It gives people who may not want to become vegetarian or vegan the ability to eat more plants but still incorporate some seafood, meat, dairy, and eggs occasionally.” Ali, RD, a culinary nutritionist in Pittsburgh.

“I am really excited about seeing more people following a flexitarian eating plan,” says Laura M. It may come as no surprise that plant-based foods continue to be exceedingly popular, with sales increasing almost twice as quickly as those of overall food sales, per the Good Food Institute. No one ever knows exactly what a new year will bring, but the interest in healthier eating that has accompanied the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic doesn’t appear to be fading anytime soon, and that’s a good thing.

Another word for unnecessary behavior