Top Nine Healthy Trends for 2023
We speak with our naturopath and management team to get their expert opinion on what trends to watch out for in 2023. Here are their top predictions.
Trends that emerged during the pandemic have proven their staying power and usher us into 2023, reshaping how we eat and how we shop. Health and wellness are top of mind and the luxury of conveniences that emerged at lightning speed over the past few years have shifted our expectations on how and when we consume. Australians expect the ease of ordering their favourite products at the press of a button and from the comfort of their homes, delivered seamlessly and sustainably.
Sustainability and the consumer’s expectations for producers, suppliers, and retailers to protect the planet has never been higher. The noise of these conveniences and our 24-7 lifestyles are prompting a movement towards focus on self, the simple yet nourishing practice of breathwork, unplugging, and nurturing ourselves physically, mentally and emotionally.
1. Immunity
With Covid and other respiratory viruses continuing to circulate through the community, restoring and maintaining immunity remains front of mind. As we have learnt from previous years, it is critical to keep an optimal functioning immune system, our first line of defence against pathogens. There are many parts that make up what we label our immune system, including the lymphatic system, spleen, thymus, bone marrow, antibodies and white blood cells - and there are just as many natural remedies to support each one and their functions. A couple of our favourites include medicinal mushrooms, astragalus and zinc. Read more here. Don’t overlook simple ways to maintain a healthy immune system like quality sleep, sunshine, fresh air, and drinking good quality water.
2. Breath
Inhale… now exhale anxiety, tension, and stress. The simple process of breathing sustains life, yet we are still discovering its multitude of benefits that yogic practices have tapped for thousands of years. Amid our over connected and stimulated daily existence, going back to basics can have an immense impact on our wellbeing. With much gratitude to the likes of Wim Hof and James Nestor, we are now privy to so many positive outcomes through the practice of slow, deep breathing such as stress reduction, better sleep, and improved focus. It may even facilitate pain management and help release trauma or emotional blockages.
3. Beverages
The beverage industry is not letting up anytime soon and is becoming more exciting by the month. New brands, innovative flavours (indigenous ingredients!), increasingly sophisticated methods are being used to make zero or low alcohol beverages a first choice and not an alternative. Stand-alone stores now exist such as Sans Drinks in Sydney and Free Spirit Drink Co in Perth and offer an incredible range of booze-free goodies. The surge in flavoured sparkling water is also expected to continue to rise through 2023. With a focus on local flavours and the environment (using ‘ugly’ fruit!) there are some incredible planet-loving beverage brands doing a whole lot of good for our well-being. Local (and from our nearby Kiwi neighbours) beverage brands boasting incredible flavour and values include Capital Brewing, Sobah, and Almighty.
Image: Sobah
4. Digital Detox
Disconnect. For an hour, an evening, a weekend. There is no doubt that Australians spend an extraordinary amount of time connected to mobiles, laptops and other devices. Too much social media and ‘screen’ time has been found to lead to anxiety and depression. According to Headspace in their recent survey, more than half of young people (57%) believe their mental health is getting worse, with 42% citing social media as the main reason for the decline. Taking a break from screens and technology is an important way for Australians, young, old, and everywhere in between to reset and improve their mental and emotional wellbeing. We will see intentional disconnecting of devices in 2023 as Australians seek mindfulness and release from the constant digital ‘noise’.
5. Everything under the sea
Naturally sustainable, regenerative and high on the health radar, we will see an increase in all things sea related in 2023. Seaweed is a fulfilling snack chock full of minerals and vitamins (particularly iron, calcium, iodine) and we are seeing it pop up on shelves and menus in every shape and form imaginable. Seaweed is a perfect crunchy, umami addition to top salads, pastas or enjoy on its own. Certain types of seaweed are even being used to tackle climate change. According to an Australian research company born out of the Commonwealth Science and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), the use of specific native seaweeds as a feeding supplement for livestock has been proven to significantly reduce methane emissions.
Wholesome now boasts one of the largest selections of tinned fish and seafood and for very good reason. Tinned seafood is shelf stable and an essential and tasty pantry staple to have on hand at all times. Sustainably fished, traceable, ethical supply chains, B Corp certified, organic ingredients, traditional methods and hand processing - these are just a few of the traits that make the fish companies we work with such as Fish4Ever, Good Fish, Pan do Mar, Porthos and Jose Gourmet world leaders within the marine and fishery industry.
Image: Jose Gourmet
6. Nootropics
With an increased focus on our full spectrum of health, nootropics has earned its own stand-alone trend for the year ahead. Nootropics are a group of substances that maintain and improve cognitive function, boost mood, reduce stress, alleviate cognitive decline, and generally optimise attention, memory, and motivation. Our top four are Bahmi, Lion’s Mane, Ginkgo and Ashwagandha. Read more here.
7. Sustainable Packaging Innovation
Single use plastic bans are in effect to various degrees throughout Australia and continued pressure is being put on manufacturers of packaged goods to consider the environmental impact of their packaging. While reusable and recyclable are baseline, both regulatory pressure and consumer pressure are leading to an acceleration in environmentally conscious packaging innovation. From home compostable to regenerative plant-based packaging, we expect the momentum to continue and to see companies seeking solutions to reduce packaging and where they can’t, introducing alternative materials to reduce their carbon footprint and strive for circularity. Some great examples are Loving Earth’s home compostable chocolate wrapper, Superboost which uses a plant-based carton for their energy drinks and Sunbutter’s reef safe sunscreen packaged in reusable and recyclable tins.
Image: Sunbutter
8. Functional Foods
Existing at the intersection between food and wellness, functional foods will stay firmly in the spotlight in 2023. Consumers are hyper-focused on their health and increasingly desire even their regular food products to address both physical and mental health. We will see new and exciting food and drinks ‘boosted’ with energy-enhancing properties, sleep-inducing ingredients, nootropics and edible beauty. Some of our favourites include beforeyouspeak coffee infused with vitamins, minerals and superfoods, Loving Earth Superfood Chocolate and Krumbled Foods Beauty Bites.
9. Transparency
It is no longer enough to just know what ingredients are in products. Consumers not only expect products to be packaged sustainably but to be produced sustainably and ethically. They are increasingly interested in the ingredient and product’s journey from seed to shelf. Consumers want to know where and how their product was made and these factors are influencing their purchases. Brands that demonstrate how they do business and are transparent about their environmental impact (regardless of what stage of their sustainability journey they are on) will lead the market in 2023 and beyond.
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