2026’s Hottest Grocery Trends According to Culinary Experts
Oct 9, 2025
The Four Trends Redefining Grocery Carts
Whole Foods Market just released its much-anticipated food trend predictions for 2026, as featured in The Kitchn’s latest article. Compiled by the retailer’s expert Trends Council, this list doesn't just forecast what's about to fill grocery carts, it captures where curiosity, creativity, and conscious eating are taking the industry next. From a surge in fiber- and gut health-focused foods to a renaissance in premium freezer meals, mindful sweets, and upgraded instant staples, these trends map out a bold new grocery landscape.
Read on to learn what's in store at your grocery store in 2026.
Fiber and Gut Health Go Mainstream
*Scores reflect the quality of ingredients and nutrients in a given food in descending order (Excellent, Good, OK, Fair, Poor).
Digestive wellness is center stage as fiber-rich and prebiotic foods get a rebrand, making it easy to support gut health at every meal. Standout examples include:
Poppi - While it has excellent fiber density per sip, its overall WISEscore isn’t so hot. Still, if fiber is your goal try out Poppi or other prebiotic drinks.
Happy Family Organics Happy Tot Fiber & Protein Pouches - Excellent fiber density and bonus points for a near perfect Ingredient Quality Score.
Banza Chickpea Pasta - Has good fiber density with a very high Ingredient Quality Score.
You can get your fiber in bars, bagels, ready-to-drink teas, and more. Use the free WISEcode app to quickly find brands with more fiber per bite using our Fiber Density Code.
Freezer Fine Dining
Forget soggy frozen pizza (though there is a time and a place); this aisle is now home to premium meal kits, chef-crafted appetizers, and vegetable-forward entrees inspired by global cuisines. Trending brands and products:
Amy’s Cheese Enchiladas - a good overall WISEscore with excellent ingredient quality and better-than-average nutrient quality.
Rao’s Homemade Rigatoni Bolognese - has an excellent overall WISEscore with near-perfect ingredient quality and good nutrient scores.
Healthy Choice Beef Teriyaki - has an OK overall WISEscore with OK ingredient and nutrient quality scores.
These offer supposedly restaurant-level quality and authentic flavors, making at-home dining effortless and elevated. If that's the case, they wouldn't mind a quick WISEcode scan to ensure ingredient and nutrient quality using our WISEscore.
Mindful Sweets
A new kind of sweet tooth rules. One that craves real fruit, honey, maple syrup, and gentle sweetness over processed sugar. Notable launches:
Yasso Frozen Greek Yogurt Bars, Mint Chocolate Chip - has a good overall WISEscore with good ingredient quality.
Hu Dark Chocolate Bar - has a good, almost excellent overall WISEscore with excellent ingredient quality and OK nutrient quality.
Black Forest Organic Gummy Bears - fair overall WISEscore with OK ingredient quality and poor nutrient quality.
Consumers can satisfy their sweet cravings with ingredient quality that doesn't come with the guilt (or stomach ache). No need for artificial flavors or blood sugar spikes, use WISEcode's Sugar Density Code to compare sugar between your favorite sweet treats.
Instant Foods, Thoughtfully Upgraded
Instant no longer means compromise, according to the latest grocery trends. Travel-ready, globally-influenced, and marketed as nutrition-forward, these new pantry staples suit busy, ingredient-aware lifestyles. Examples include:
365 by Whole Foods Market Instant Espresso Coffee Sticks - has excellent ingredient quality with nothing flagged.
Patagonia Provisions Lemon Olive Spanish White Anchovies - Excellent ingredient quality with nothing flagged.
Seeds of Change Organic Rice Variety Pack - has a good overall WISEscore with good ingredient and nutrient quality values.
Smart packaging and just-add-water innovation are making these ideal for the office, travel, or home. Instant foods sometimes can leave a lot to be desired, nutrient-wise. Scan them with WISEcode and be confident in your choices, knowing the ingredients and nutrition meet your goals and standards.
Other Trends To Look For
Tallow Comeback: Epic Provisions Beef Tallow and South Chicago Packing Wagyu Beef Tallow make it easy to experiment with this returning ancestral fat.
Female Farmers Rising: Look for brands like Lotus Foods and True Moringa that are spotlighting women in agriculture on-pack.
Kitchen Couture Packaging: Graza’s “Drizzle” Extra Virgin Olive Oil leads this charge for pantry style.
Premium Vinegars: Ayoh! Foods’ Giardin Sando and Ringa’s Apple Cider Vinegar offer fresh takes on tangy essentials.
Each of these trends emphasizes conscious, informed eating and shopping - a sign that food transparency is becoming the new standard for eaters everywhere. Whether seeking taste innovation, digestive balance, or label clarity, 2026’s trends paired with WISEcode's free ingredient and nutrition scanner unlock smarter, more enjoyable food decisions for all.
Frequently Asked
What’s driving the fiber and gut health trend?
Science-backed studies consistently highlight the link between gut health, overall well-being, and even brain health, pushing fiber into the limelight. Use WISEcode to instantly measure fiber density in your food.
Who benefits from freezer fine dining trends?
Time-starved professionals, families, and adventurous foodies now enjoy global cuisines and chef-quality meals at home, minus the prep and expense.
How are mindful sweets different?
They use minimal, real-food sweeteners, often fruit-based, and cut out artificial flavors and additives for a more nutritious treat. Try WISEcode to flag unwanted sweeteners in your food.
*WISEcode receives no compensation and holds no financial interest in the products mentioned; information is provided based solely on our app and database.