The trend paves the way for new hybrid ingredient options
Among consumer trends, there’s still a rising desire to explore and blend traditional and modern approaches to eating. One prominent trend is flexitarianism, where consumers balance their intake of meat with plant-based products, yielding benefits that each brings respectively. This approach allows them to enjoy the best of both worlds—adapting principles from the vegetarian kitchen while still savoring the taste, flavors, and nutritional benefits of animal proteins.
Flexitarians focus on optimizing their diet for health, well-being, and sustainability, all without missing out on their favorite meals. This trend reflects a shift toward mindful eating, where consumers seek to enhance their wellness while enjoying a diverse, balanced diet - the best of two worlds.
An increasing trend in consumer behavior
The media often emphasize the benefits of a plant-based diet for both health and the environment. However, it’s important not to overlook the essential role of animal proteins, which are crucial for maintaining healthy bones, tissue, skin, and more. Animal proteins provide many of the vital nutrients our bodies need. This is likely why consumers have embraced a diet that includes both plant and animal proteins. The nutritional benefits of a varied diet help explain the growing popularity of the flexitarian lifestyle—an appealing compromise that combines the best of both worlds.
Plant-centric eating aligns with global megatrends
Global megatrends, such as the ‘Pursuit of Health & Happiness’, are driving the expansion of plant protein use across the food industry. As consumers increasingly prioritize healthier lives, they invest in products and services that promote well-being. A diet rich in plant-based foods and beverages is strongly encouraged. Consequently, more consumers are opting for healthier ways to enjoy their favorite products, including switching to plant-based alternatives across a growing range of categories. Source: Innova Global Consumer Trends 2024 Report.
Replacing meat with plant-based alternatives is only viable if consumers can easily accept the new formats being offered. For flexitarians, the unique sensory attributes of meat – aroma, taste, texture – are highly valued and thus important drivers for new creative hybrid products.
Important proteins
Proteins, often supplied through foods, are necessary for a healthy living, because they help build muscle fibers, improve the immune system and support vital functions. Until now, most of us have found the necessary number of proteins through animal sources, but the flexitarian trend has given a new perspective and made us look into possible vegetables which can supply a good amount of proteins.
Everything in moderation
The term “Everything in moderation” is the keyword in living as a flexitarian, because there is no rulebook to follow and no strict set of guidelines on how to be a flexitarian. The principle is to live healthy and keeping a flexitarian lifestyle can be completely custom-made for your everyday life.
A continually growing market
The flexitarian lifestyle is rapidly gaining popularity, with a significant increase in the number of people embracing this approach in recent years. Flexitarian principles are being integrated into daily life, both at home and in business. The combination of plant-based and traditional meat-based products is clearly here to stay.
Growth in new meat launches tracked with plant-based protein is stable. Meaning that there is a consistent CAGR of new product launches (between July 2021 and June 2024) that carry the claims of hybrid meats with added Soy, wheat, and other vegetable proteins.
Consumers are demanding high-quality products on supermarket shelves, creating unexplored opportunities in this market. One thing is certain: this market will continue to grow, and the food industry must innovate to meet the evolving needs of this emerging consumer group.
A good place to start for food manufacturers that want to tap into the flexitarian trend is hybrid ingredient blends. A hybrid blend provides functional and nutritional benefits from both plant-based and animal-based ingredients. An example of this is Essentia’s most recent ingredient launch that combines pork and pea protein.
Hybrid opportunities in food service
According to Innova Insights, hybrid foods offer solutions for healthy and tasty products. For many, there’s the belief that the solution is hybrid products that combine meat and plant-based ingredients that provide the flavor and texture consumers crave, along with the healthfulness that they are after.
These innovative products not only satisfy the demand for familiar tastes but also cater to growing consumer preferences for sustainability and balanced nutrition, making them a key driver in the future of food. Hybrid solutions also offer versatility, allowing manufacturers to meet evolving dietary trends while delivering the sensory experiences that consumers love.
Let’s co-create
At Essentia, our commitment to quality ensures that our ingredients not only meet but exceed industry standards, delivering the best in taste and performance. If you’re looking to innovate within the meat and plant-based sub-categories, Essentia is your partner in progress.
Ready to elevate your products with unique ingredient benefits? Reach out to a representative near you to explore how we can work together. Let’s co-create solutions that optimize your recipes and drive your business forward.
