Anadolu/Getty Images
Anadolu/Getty Images
A look ahead to where food and beverages will take us in the new year.
2025 was a hugely innovative year in the food and beverage world. I mean, it was the year that Cheez-It pizza made its debut! It was also the year of Reese’s Oreos, protein popcorn and the Wendy’s Frosty that was so good, I ate it three days in a row.
I think that there are some pretty exciting things around the corner in 2026, so I compiled intel from a variety of reports and brands on the trends to look out for in the new year. I’ve also spent a lot of time chatting with the Taste of Home team about the patterns we’ve seen. All signs point to a 2026 that will be just as innovative on the food and drink front. So without further ado, I present my official 2026 food trend report.
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ANNAMARIE HIGLEY FOR TASTE OF HOME
The Gut Health Takeover
The last time I was at the grocery store, I spent some time staring at a shelf of juices, teas and waters that all had the word “prebiotic” printed somewhere on the label. It’s no secret that many beverages have followed the viral success of prebiotic sodas like Olipop and Poppi. Even Pepsi is releasing a prebiotic version of its flagship soda in early 2026. I would bet good money that Coca-Cola will be following suit.
This intense and seemingly sudden obsession with gut health stems from a few places. First, the wellness world is its own machine, which cycles through trends that are similar to and often overlapping with food trends. Second, early-onset colon cancer is on the rise. According to the Mayo Clinic, over the past 20 years, colon cancer diagnoses in people under 50 have risen from between 5% and 7% to 10%. It’s a small but significant jump, and while there are many factors that contribute to cancer, gut microbiome health has been linked to colon cancer specifically.
Gut health taking center stage is, I’d argue, ultimately a good thing. However, in 2026 I would be more wary of unfounded health claims. With the popularity of “prebiotic” and “probiotic” foods skyrocketing, these words have become marketing tools. Prebiotic sodas are not a magic bullet for gut health, but they are fun treats. I’m partial to Olipop root beer, and like to keep a few cans stashed in my fridge.
Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables and getting plenty of both soluble and insoluble fiber doesn’t fit as neatly onto a food label, but it is the best way to maintain gut health and microbiome diversity. As always, if you have questions about your health, you should talk to a medical professional.
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Hayley Schueneman for Taste of Home
Nostalgia Is Forever
When I ate Burger King’s SpongeBob Menu,