Comfort food undergoes a light makeover for warmer weather
Implications - Consumers who wish to indulge in their favorite comfort foods during the warmer months are searching for lighter options. Classic comfort food fare, such as pizza and onion rings, are revamped with fresh, seasonal ingredients that are not only lighter for consumption, but also take health-consciousness into consideration. Unwilling to give up their favorite comfort foods, consumers are ultimately looking for a way to reformat them for optimal seasonal enjoyment.
Trend Themes
1. Healthy Comfort Food - Consumers are looking for healthier options for classic comfort foods to enjoy all year round.
2. Vegan Alternatives - Due to the increasing amount of consumers opting for vegan and plant-based diets, vegan alternatives to classic comfort foods are being produced.
3. No-bake and Energy Snacks - With the rise of health conscious consumers, simple and easy-to-make no-bake snack options have been growing in popularity.
Industry Implications
1. Food and Beverage - Food and beverage companies can capitalize on the trend of healthy comfort foods by altering their ingredients to create lighter options.
2. Health and Wellness - Fitness and wellness industry professionals can use the trend of no-bake and energy snacks to market healthy and easy-to-make snacks for health-conscious consumers.
3. Lifestyle and Home Cooking - Home cooking and lifestyle industries can market vegan alternatives to classic comfort foods for consumers who want to reduce their meat consumption.
