For ecommerce food and beverage brands, 2026 is all about functional and convenient products. Consumers are seeking high-protein, fiber-rich, and all-in-one solutions, creating a ripe opportunity for brands offering these benefits with clean labels and innovative ingredient choices. Brands should leverage these trends to differentiate their product offerings and marketing strategies.
Key takeaways
Focus on developing high-protein and 'fibermaxxing' products across all food and drink categories to meet growing consumer demand.
Innovate with 'all-in-one' routine solutions, such as combining supplements with beverages, and prioritize portable packaging for on-the-go consumption.
Differentiate products by eliminating seed oils and highlighting alternative, healthier fats like beef tallow and avocado oil to appeal to the 'better-for-you' market.
Monitor the MAHA movement's influence on food, beverage, and wellness trends to capitalize on emerging consumer preferences and ethical considerations.
Beyond ingredients, invest in eye-catching, portable, and sustainable packaging to stand out on shelves and align with the convenience-driven consumer.
In this episode of the Modern Retail Podcast, special projects editor Melissa Daniels and senior reporter Gabriela Barkho discuss their favorite food and beverage trends of 2026. Fresh off of Expo West, the episode’s discussion revolves around what is considered “in” and what’s “out” across categories. Protein sod and functional coffee remain hot items. Meanwhile, the noise against seed oils continues to grow in the better-for-you space, with brands boasting products made with alternatives like beef tallow and avocado oil.
The emerging trends in 2026 include:
High-protein and “fibermaxxing” across nearly all food and drink categories.
An all-in-one approach to routines, such as combining daily creatine dose with the morning coffee, often in portable packaging.
The MAHA movement’s growing influence on trends in food, beverage and wellness is only growing in 2026.
What does this episode say about consumer behavior?
Focus on developing high-protein and 'fibermaxxing' products across all food and drink categories to meet growing consumer demand.
What does this episode say about food & beverage trends?
Innovate with 'all-in-one' routine solutions, such as combining supplements with beverages, and prioritize portable packaging for on-the-go consumption.
What does this episode say about health & wellness?
Differentiate products by eliminating seed oils and highlighting alternative, healthier fats like beef tallow and avocado oil to appeal to the 'better-for-you' market.
What does this episode say about product innovation?
Monitor the MAHA movement's influence on food, beverage, and wellness trends to capitalize on emerging consumer preferences and ethical considerations.
What does this episode say about consumer behavior?
Beyond ingredients, invest in eye-catching, portable, and sustainable packaging to stand out on shelves and align with the convenience-driven consumer.
