As Americans become increasingly health-conscious, their online grocery orders are showing a shift toward more nutritious food choices. That’s according to Instacart, which recently revealed new dietary trends based on customers’ purchase and search data. Using data from 2023 to 2024, the online grocery delivery platform calculated a 39% uptick in searches for “high protein,” as well as a 159% surge in searches for “high fiber.” Instacart also said it’s seen a 9% increase in purchases of lower-sugar foods and beverages and an 8% spike in low-carb purchases since 2021.
There are other key findings as well. Kelly Springer, a registered dietitian in Skaneateles, New York, said she’s encouraged by the trends. “When you are doing Instacart, you’re more likely to purchase those healthier food items than to be buying spur-of-the-moment-kind-of-foods in the food aisle,” she told Fox News Digital.
For its methodology, Instacart calculated the percentage difference in the share of orders that each category appeared in from 2023 to 2024. For example, the non-alcoholic cocktails category had a 350% increase in its share of orders in 2024 compared to 2023. “These trends are a reflection of how consumers are embracing more holistic and personalized approaches to health,” Alex Orellana, Instacart’s trends analyst, told Fox News Digital.
“High-protein products remain popular not just for muscle building but also for boosting metabolism and energy, while fiber-rich foods are gaining momentum with increased awareness of the gut-brain connection.” Orellana said low-carb diets also remain popular as they support stable energy levels and align with broader weight management and wellness goals.
Instacart has unearthed some additional predictions for the future of healthy eating this year. In its flavorful food forecast for 2025, the company revealed major growth in prebiotic and probiotic beverages, with its order data showing 58% year-over-year growth in these two categories between 2023 and 2024. “I think that people are starting to listen about the correlation of digestive health to health in general,” Springer said.
There’s also a growing interest in tinned fish, a once-popular mealtime staple that had fallen out of favor in recent decades. According to year-over-year growth in the share of orders containing canned mackerel and canned sardines from 2023 to 2024, these two tinned fishes displayed a 74% and 13% growth, respectively. Springer said it’s “awesome” that omega-3s – essential fatty acids that help to reduce inflammation – “are really making headway.”
People also can’t seem to get enough of enhanced water. Purchases of electrolyte drink powders between 2023 and 2024 showed a 36% increase, with the share of purchases of coconut water growing by 7% during the same timeframe. All this data suggests that a health and wellness focus continues to influence Americans as they make their grocery shopping decisions. “As a dietitian, I couldn’t be prouder of Americans,” Springer said.
As spring starts to show herself more and more, many people are resurrecting from the grip of seasonal depression. The colder months can wreak havoc on our health and well-being, whether it's skipping workouts or getting lost in doom scrolling. That tracks. I'm not sure about you, but the sun setting by 4 p.m. doesn't do much for my morale or motivation. That’s why spring, with its longer and warmer days, feels like the ideal moment to embrace new wellness practices you’ve bookmarked on TikTok and Instagram.
There are endless new activities and trends that can support your wellness journey, whatever that means and looks like for you. The best part? They don’t have to be intense shifts or be super expensive. Spotted a new recipe? Make it your mission to try it out for yourself. Have you felt the positive effects of at-home Pilates? Consider adding some gentle stretches to your morning routine and keep track of how you progress.
This season is about letting your actions speak for themselves because I hate to say it, but yes, the Wellness Girlies were right: you will make you feel better overall. If this all sounds fine and dandy but you're unsure on where to start, don't fret, I got you. I hit up two experts for all the best spring wellness trends of 2025. Keep reading to find something new to add into your routines!
Cozy Cardio has become a longstanding fitness trend. Even though the seasons are changing, let’s be honest: finding the time and, most importantly, the energy to work out can be overwhelming sometimes. A major bonus in fitness-related wellness practices is finding a like-minded community. "People are in search ways to connect,” says therapist Nedra Glover Tawwab, especially in this post-pandemic society.
So this spring, you’ll likely see even more running clubs, walking groups, and a variety of community-based activities sprouting up that help people feel supported and give them something to be a part of. “Initiating some of those connections is really beneficial for our mental health,” adds Tawwab.
In today’s climate, there’s a lot to be frustrated with—socially, economically, and beyond—so the trend of rage workouts, which is any exercise that is meant to engage and release frustration in a healthy way, is starting to appear more often. This can be a treadmill run set to a specific playlist, boxing, or HIIT training, but activities like Pilates and yoga can release suppressed emotions, too, helping you bring your frustrations to the forefront while getting your heart pumping.
Pickleball has been everywhere for the last few years, and it's not going anywhere anytime soon: According to a report from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, pickleball has grown 51.8 percent from 2022 to 2023. This sport is a way for people to connect and meet new friends and bond over shared interest. You can play it inside, too, so those rainy spring days won't hold you back! Plus, who doesn't love a cutesy little pickleball outfit?!
One really good way to manage anxiety or depression is to get outside and to move,” says Tawwab. Having nice weather helps you embrace what nature has to offer. Whether it’s a hike, bike ride, Hot Girl Walk, or a simple quick jog, try to get outside so you can soak up that Vitamin D and get some movement in.
Focusing on gut health is also becoming more prominent. Nutritionist Kylie Sakaida mentioned seeing fibre becoming much more prominent, whether in the form of vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains, seeds, or supplements. There is a trend of substituting traditional sodas as a way to avoid a lot of sugar intake.
Bone broth has also gained popularity, with many posters claiming to consume one cup daily for unverified beauty routine purposes and to increase their protein intake. “Bone broth can be a cool way to include more protein, but a lot of the health benefits that people claim it has aren’t shown to have this miraculous effect on you,” says Sakaida.
Gardening is a beautiful self-care practice,” says Tawwab. “Whether that's a patio window seal or you have the land to really do it up, try having a practice of getting into nature and watching something grow and thrive, and being a part of that.” Book clubs are growing into a major gathering for friends to bond.
The Sleepy Girl Mocktail blends ice, cherry juice, magnesium powder, and a lemon-flavored soda or sparkling water. There is a trend of people being more committed to a set sleep time and sticking to that boundary this spring. Less screen time is also a focus for a lot of people this year, as many seek to cut back on the blue light.
