Infographic: Smarter Choices, Healthier Lives: How Consumers Are Making Food Choices in 2025

Health isn’t a checklist—it’s a way of life. Consumers are all in, filling their carts with functional foods, tracking every step with wearables, and seeking brands that align with their values. But with every influencer posing as a health expert and brands throwing around wellness claims, there’s still a lot of noise.

As interest in nutrient-dense diets grows, so does the demand for products that support a healthier lifestyle. With food and nutrition content flooding social feeds, consumer priorities are shifting in real time, creating the perfect recipe for new food trends to take off in the year ahead.

Most Try to Eat Healthier

Half of all American consumers are making a real effort to make healthier choices. Here’s how it breaks down.

95% say they try to choose a healthy snack at least sometimes

78% plan snacks based on what else they’ve eaten that day

62% say healthfulness is a key driver for food and beverage purchases

Protein is Coming in Strong

A significant portion of Americans are aiming for more protein, less sugar, and fewer carbs

56% increasing protein & fiber

47% decreasing carb intake

58% eating less sugar

Confused about Clean

59% of consumers think it’s important for food to be natural and/or organic, but, 40% believe the terms “natural” and “organic” mean the same thing or aren’t sure of the difference.

Food as Medicine

56% believe that what you add to your diet is more important than what you avoid

35% view food as an important tool for managing stress and improving mood

Weight Loss Drugs Impact Food Industry

The rise of hunger-suppressing weight-loss drugs is expected to have implications for the food industry. Here’s what we’re seeing so far among patients on weight-loss drugs:

Increasing Consumption

56% Fruits/vegetables

44% Weight loss management foods (protein shakes/bars)

38% Poultry/fish

Decreasing Consumption

72% Confections

70% Sugary Drinks

69% Cookies/baked goods

Sources:

Acosta Group | 2025 Consumer Predictions

Morgan Stanley | Could Obesity Drugs Take a Bite Out of the Food Industry?

Mintel