It’s a new year, and for many consumers, that means it’s time for new dietary habits. Resolutions around healthy eating abound in January, giving rise to new trends and increasing demand for better-for-you products, functional ingredients, and health-focused claims. Although health and wellness are top-of-mind right now, consumers remain unwilling to sacrifice taste. Successful products will not only need to emphasize their potential health benefits but also deliver out-of-this-world flavor experiences.
Seasonings hold the key to introducing products that possess the much-coveted health halo and also taste amazing. As consumers set new health and wellness goals, there’s a major opportunity for brands to innovate with bold seasoning blends with better-for-you attributes. Keep reading for our experts’ takes on how seasonings can be used to achieve both health and indulgence.
Seasoning Innovation to Support Wellness
For many consumers, getting new habits to stick means making small, but sustainable changes. Brands can support these consumers by making better-for-you improvements to just about any product through seasoning innovation. Whether consumers are looking to reduce their sodium intake or are trying to replace artificial sugars with natural ones, seasonings present an easy, accessible means for introducing a better-for-you version of a favorite product.
Seasoning innovation is also the perfect solution for making BFY and plant-based bases feel more indulgent and enjoyable. Although health-conscious eating is very much a trend at the moment, so is permissible indulgence, as consumers seek to use food and beverage products to treat themselves in times of stress. Products that strike the balance between health and indulgence will win big with consumers, and seasonings allow brands to do just that.
For example, a dessert-inspired seasoning blend can turn popcorn into an indulgent snack, while a seasoning blend that tastes just like fried chicken can transform a plant-based protein substitute into a modern comfort food. Not only will consumers appreciate the opportunity to make a positive change for their wellbeing, but they’ll also enjoy getting to indulge without the guilt.
Functional Flavors
Many consumers prefer using food and beverage products, rather than medications and supplements, to address their health and wellness concerns. As a result, ingredients that offer specific health benefits have been in demand as natural remedies for everyday health issues. Products that feature these ingredients tend to perform particularly well with health-conscious consumers.
Although consumers’ health concerns continue to evolve and vary by demographic group, immune support, mood boosts, and gut health are among the most prevalent. Functional ingredients that aim to address these issues, such as mushrooms, lavender, tart cherry, and yuzu, are growing increasingly popular. Trending functional ingredients can be incorporated into seasoning blends to help support consumers’ wellness goals – and bring bold, craveable flavors to everything from snacks and sauces to beverages and baked goods.
With fiber and protein dominating health trends right now, seeds are suddenly in the spotlight. Incorporating seeds into seasoning blends is one way that brands can up the perceived health value of even the most indulgent products. Similarly, spices have been trending across the board for their potential health benefits. Prominently featuring sought-after spices, such as turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon, in seasoning blends can also help position a product as better-for-you.
Seeking innovative seasoning solutions to appeal to health-conscious consumers? We’ve got you covered. Contact us today to see how Fuchs can help you make something special.