7 Gluten-Free Food Trends to Try Right Now
It's time to update your grocery shopping list.
As a health writer, I get tons of pitches sent to me by publicists every day. I estimate I get at least 100 pitches a day—and that’s me being conservative. I’ll admit that I ignore most of them due to the sheer volume of emails I receive and the fact that many of them just aren’t relevant to the things I’m currently writing about (sorry, publicist friends!).
But there’s one pitch I look forward to opening every year—and that’s the food trend report from Whole Foods. So naturally, when Whole Foods’ 2024 Food Trends Report hit my inbox a couple of weeks ago, I couldn’t wait to dig in.
I was pleasantly surprised that many of the trends on the list this year could be adapted to be gluten-free. Below, I’m recapping my seven favorite predicted food trends from the report—and how to make them gluten-free with products sold at Whole Foods.
Note: Not all products featured in this newsletter are certified gluten-free; however, they’re all free of gluten-containing ingredients. If you have celiac disease, then I encourage you to do your own research to decide what’s right for you.
Trend #1: Veggie-forward plant-based products
Over the last few years, we’ve seen brands develop plant-based burgers, chicken, and more that taste scarily close to real meat. Lately, though, there’s been a return to veggie-forward products in the plant-based category.
According to Whole Foods, brands are going back to basics. They’re creating protein-packed meat alternatives with simple ingredients like mushrooms, walnuts, tempeh, and legumes, leaving the complex ingredient lists behind.
How to make it gluten-free
Trend #2: Buckwheat
Buckwheat is more popular than ever thanks to its superfood makeup of protein, carbs, and fiber. And thankfully, it’s an ingredient that’s naturally gluten-free.
In addition to being used to make noodles, Whole Foods predicts we’ll start to see buckwheat in plant-based milk alternatives, crackers, and granola.
How to make it gluten-free
Trend #3: Elevated faux fish
Move over, icky imitation crab with no flavor. Whole Foods reports that plant-based seafood brands are stepping up their game, upgrading the taste and texture of their products so it’s closer to the real thing.
Look for lox made from carrots, scallops made from trumpet mushrooms, and root vegetable konjac in sushi rolls and poke bowls. While not every option in this category is gluten-free, there are a few plant-based seafood items out there that are.
How to make it gluten-free
Trend #4: Global peppers
Peppers from around the world are hot right now (pun intended). You can find them fresh, whole, ground, or pickled. But this trend doesn’t stop there: Whole Foods also says you can find global peppers in everything from sauces and chili oils to cold-pressed juices and smoothies.
How to make it gluten-free
Trend #5: Gourmet instant noodles
Dressing up your instant ramen is nothing new—but as Whole Foods notes, brands are releasing gourmet options (minus many preservatives) so you can do even less work in the kitchen. Now, I know what you’re thinking—does gluten-free instant ramen exist? The answer: Yes, it does!
How to make it gluten-free
Trend #6: Caffeinated drinks with extra benefits
As Whole Foods reports, the latest and greatest products in the caffeinated beverage category are meant to give you a health boost with the addition of ingredients like mushrooms and probiotics.
How to make it gluten-free
Four Sigmatic Think Organic Coffee with Lion’s Mane & Chaga Mushrooms
GORGIE Energy Drink Sparkling Electric Berry and Peachy Keen
Trend #7: Little treats
You may have heard of the “Little Treat Culture” trend from TikTok—essentially, it’s the belief that you deserve to buy yourself a little treat for making it through something difficult. Think: a fancy latte after a rough commute or a macaron after a tough work day. The theory is that these little luxuries can spark joy and brighten your day, making them an easy form of self-care.
How to make it gluten-free
Tell me: What gluten-free food trend are you most excited about?
Great article as ever! It looks like you get some interesting products in the US that we don't see in the UK. I'm a little envious!