Table of contents
1 Reasons for a change in diet
2 Menu of the future
3 Nutrition trends 2024
4 Summary

The food of the future: what will we be eating in 2050?

Will the food of the future materialize within seconds from man-sized coffee machines? Rather unrealistic. But a change in eating habits is foreseeable. Whether lab meat or completely meat-free, in this article you will find out about the food trends of the future.

The global market for vegan meat products is expected to be worth 450 billion dollars by 2040. This is more than half of the projected meat market.[1] Other markets are also experiencing increased demand, which has become apparent in recent months.

Home cooking instead of fast food and with carefully selected food is the trend. The social consensus on what is good and what is bad is also constantly evolving.

Not so long ago, factory farming was taken for granted, but it is now criticized by large sections of society. More and more people are now also questioning their daily meat consumption.

In this article, we would like to show you possible triggers that will significantly shape the food of the future and which food trends can therefore be expected in the coming years. Enjoy reading!

Reasons for a change in diet by 2050

Various factors, both internal and external, will play their part in changing the way we eat in 30 years' time. Rising population figures and a quest for improved health are some of them.

External environmental conditions

In the future, the world's population will increase and agricultural land may not be as productive as it is today. Today, we are already working on ways to counteract these circumstances.

Urban farming, for example, is an alternative that can bring food production closer to consumers and make use of otherwise unused land.

Desire for health

In recent decades, several hundred thousand people have died every year in Germany, Austria and Switzerland alone from diseases of civilization such as diabetes or cardiovascular failure.[2]

The majority of these deaths could have been avoided with a healthy and balanced diet.[3] In order to reduce this mortality rate, it will be unavoidable in the future to make our diet healthier. Be it by reducing meat consumption or increasing the variety of food on our plates.

Increased identification with food - where does my food come from and what do I actually eat?

Whereas in the past people bought what was available, today more emphasis is placed on quality and transparency is more important today. Among other things, broken trust in the food industry, for example due to contaminated eggs, is one of the triggers for this[4].

Farmers' markets and directly marketed vegetables are already experiencing an upswing,[5] as it is clear who grows the vegetables and dialogue can be sought with the producer. Buying food locally and seasonally will become even more important in the future. In addition, only those who cook for themselves can be sure what is in their food.

Vegetarians, vegans, flexitarians - is eating meat okay?

Meat consumption has come a long way from the weekly Sunday roast of the post-war era[6], which has led to an increased demand for meat and made factory farming necessary.

Most people agree that this is reprehensible. In addition, the ethical question "Is it okay to eat meat?" is becoming increasingly important. After all, a chicken or pig is also a living being that feels emotions[7].

The increasing number of vegans, vegetarians and flexitarians suggests that more and more people are answering "no" to this question.

What will our diet look like in the future?

What specific approaches are there to meet changing dietary needs in the future? And how can you actively shape tomorrow's diet today?

Plant-based meat, insects and co. - alternatives for proteins and nutrients

One of the most important nutrients for our bodies is protein. While plant-based sources dominate worldwide,[8] protein requirements in the western world are predominantly met by meat[9].

This is not sustainable for ethical and health reasons. However, the environment also suffers from factory farming and the resulting greenhouse gases.

For this reason, for some years now alternatives to not only provide the nutrients, but also to reproduce the taste. These include the classic "plant-based meat substitutes" as well as laboratory meat, insects and algae.

Plant-based meat

Companies such as Beyond Meat are demonstrating that plant-based meat can taste just like the original. It is true that this is a processed product and health is not the main focus. But you get the taste you are used to without harming animals or the environment.

Laboratory meat

In the future, there will be ways to meet the increased demand for meat[10] with less factory farming and reduced animal suffering. Meat from the laboratory, also known as "clean meat", is the solution. This is meat that is cultivated in the laboratory from stem cells[11].

The cells in this meat are similar to those in real animals, except that fewer resources can be produced and without pathogens or antibiotics or antibiotics. However, as it is real meat, there are the same health risks if it is consumed in excess.

Insects as a basis for nutrition - space-saving and energy-generating

Insects are another way of responding to the growing demand for food. The advantages are manifold:

  • Insects need little space and can be bred anywhere
  • Good utilization of feed (2 kg for 1 kg mass compared to 8 kg for 1 kg mass in cows)
  • Organic waste, compost or other organic materials can also be used as feed
  • They are rich in proteinsfiber, iron, magnesium, zinc and more[12]

For most people in the western world, eating insects is rather unusual and disgusting. However, they are already used in some protein bars in this country and do not stand out in terms of taste.

Microalgae - the green (nutrient) gold from the water

There are over 100,000 species of microalgae, which are responsible for more than 75 % of the world's oxygen production. In addition to oxygen, they can also provide many other nutrients[13]. Well-known microalgae that are already being cultivated to supply nutrients are spirulina and chlorella [14].

Algae oil is also already being used as a vegan substitute for fish oil to supply the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA. As the microalgae can be cultivated in closed systems and are therefore free from environmental toxins, this is a promising food of the future.

Snackification - no time for healthy eating? No problem!

Our lifestyle has changed fundamentally over the past few decades. We spend more time in front of screens and rarely have the opportunity to eat thoughtfully and consciously. Our mealtimes are aligned with work instead of the other way around.

Where snacks were once only intended to satisfy small cravings in between meals, they are now becoming a real alternative. As a rule, it's rarely just about chocolate bars.

On the contrary, snackification means more than anything else:

  • Healthy and deliciouswith lots of nutrients and flavor
  • Small meals that not tired make you
  • With short meal break consumable

One development in this direction is drinkable food. As a classic "functional food", it not only provides energy and nutrients, but can also be enjoyed easily anytime and anywhere. The perfect snack.

The same applies toSATURO drinkable food. It contains all 26 minerals and vitamins in the exact composition that the body needs. The drink is available in 5 different flavors, from coffee to strawberry, so you are guaranteed to find the right flavor for you.

If you only have a little time for your diet, try a balanced snack and order the SATURO sample pack.

Personalized nutrition - individual nutrition for best results

Self-analysis is advancing inexorably in our society. We count our steps with fitness trackers, evaluate the quality of our sleep with apps and use Cronometer and MyFitnessPal to monitor our nutritional intake. So why not eat tailor-made food for the best possible results?

Personalized nutrition is designed to help you achieve your goals with less effort. Using questionnaires, genetic analysis or other methods, your nutritional requirements are determined to give you individualized nutritional recommendations or customized nutritional supplements.

The approach makes sense; after all, people are all different, but the nutritional recommendations are universally the same. A heavy worker has different nutritional requirements than someone who just sits in an office all day.

With personalized nutrition, these different requirements can be met and everyone gets exactly the food they need for their health and well-being.

It is a promising field in which the food of the future can be tailored even more individually to the processes in each person's body. Being healthy, fit and happy will then be easier than ever before.

Urban farming - moving production closer to the consumer

Urban farming is ideal when it comes to using land efficiently and creating transparency in food production. This is because urban farming shifts food production away from large fields and into the cities where the food is eaten.

Interesting concepts in urban farming include

  • Rooftop farms, where fruit and vegetables are grown on rooftops
  • Aquaponics, in which fish farming and vegetable cultivation function synergistically in a closed cycle
  • Hydroponics, in which vegetables and salads are grown in a nutrient solution rather than in soil
  • Community gardens, which are located in the middle of the city and create a shared gardening experience for family and friends
  • Edible green spaces, where not only ornamental plants but also edible crops grow in parks[15]

Growing food in the city has several advantages. Firstly, the vegetables are fresher due to the short transportation routes and therefore provide more nutrients. Secondly, the farms can be visited, making the entire production chain more transparent and improving identification with the food.

In addition, community gardens and urban gardening allow you to experience the journey of food from seed to plate. This not only tastes better, but also creates more understanding of food. It also allows you to meet like-minded people and make new contacts.

What food trends 2024 will bring

A new year, a new trend and so 2023 has already revealed some food trends for next year. There will be a greater emphasis on home-cooked food and less emphasis on meat in the diet. At the same time, sustainability in purchasing will continue to gain in importance.

Home cooking - health and taste in your own hands

Home-cooking ensures that it is clear what is in the food. The food can be prepared according to the own preferences which means that organic quality, regional origin or food intolerances can be taken into account.

According to a survey, 26% of Germans cooked at home more often in 2020 than a year earlier. In the 16-24 age group, this figure was almost one in three[16].

This trend is being reinforced by the growing popularity of food delivery services and cooking boxes.[17] With just a few clicks, you can easily order your food online and have it conveniently delivered to your home. Cooking boxes also eliminate the problem of not knowing what to cook.

This minimizes the entry barriers for home cooking and makes it easier to stand at the stove yourself. The good taste and lower costs than a restaurant visit do the rest.

With a few simple tips, you can bring more home cooking into your home:

  • Only look for recipes of things you like to eat
  • Start with simple recipes, max. 30 minutes preparation time and 7 ingredients
  • Create a shopping list with the ingredients you need
  • Invite your partner or friends to cook together

Flexitarians and plant-based nutrition - eat with your conscience

Meat consumption is increasingly being questioned. While just 3% of the Austrian population were vegetarians in 2005,[18] this figure had risen to 8% by 2019[19] and 48% of the population would even describe themselves as flexitarians[20][21].

Occasionally giving up meat has benefits for health, animals and the environment. At the same time, it is not as obligatory as declaring that meat and animal products will be completely avoided from now on.

Thanks to the increasing availability of substitute products, which are becoming cheaper every year, it is also easy to replace the meat on your plate with an alternative. A meat-free diet has never been easier.

If you want to integrate less meat into your diet in the new year, here are a few tips for you:

  • Start slowly, with one meat-free meal and increase if it's good for you and fun
  • Protein-rich alternatives to meat are beans, lentils, tofu, tempeh
  • Processed alternatives are fine to start with, but focus on unprocessed foods for the long term
  • Try new things, look for tasty recipes with unfamiliar vegetables and prepare them
  • Nuts and trail mix satisfy cravings, just like SATURO

Transparency and sustainability - more organic, local, seasonal and less plastic

Sustainability has been an issue with food for some time now. More and more people are avoiding single-use plastic bags when shopping and choosing the unpackaged alternative for fruit and vegetables. Bans on plastic carrier bags, such as those passed in Austria and Germany,[23][25] are having a supporting effect.

People are increasingly looking for organic food, but "discounter organic" has a bad reputation. Three quarters of shoppers do not believe that what is on offer really meets organic standards[25].

Organic retailers, farmers' markets and directly marketed vegetables will therefore gain in importance next year. They offer unpackaged and seasonal food, most of which is grown locally.

Furthermore, you can enter into a direct dialog with the producer and the vegetables have a face - this creates trust.

What opportunities are there for you to shop more sustainably in 2021?

  • Become part of a food co-op that buys goods directly from the producer
  • Take out a vegetable subscription with a farm/supplier near you
  • Become a member of a community-supported agriculture "SoLaWi" for fresh vegetables and involvement in cultivation
  • Consciously avoid packaged products when shopping and use your own shopping bags
  • Buy directly from the producer through crowdfarming

Summary of the most important aspects of the diet of the future and upcoming trends

The food of the future

Alternatives for proteins and nutrients

  • Plant-based meat
  • Laboratory meat or "clean meat"
  • Insects (crickets, flies)
  • Microalgae

Numerous ways to produce flavor and nutrients with less space and animal suffering

Snackification - small meals for the busy everyday life

Meals should be:

  • Be healthy and delicious
  • Not make you tired
  • Be edible in between

Ideal solutions are SATURO drinks

Personalized nutrition - tailored to the body's needs

  • The ideal food sources are determined through quizzes or genetic tests
  • Individualized nutritional recommendations instead of a one-size-fits-all approach

Urban farming - food production in the neighborhood

  • Rooftop farms grow food on rooftops
  • Aquaponics combines indoor fish farming and vegetable growing 
  • Urban gardening creates spaces for growing your own vegetables
  • Edible green spaces supply residents with fruit & vegetables

Food trends 2024

Home cooking for increased nutritional awareness

  • Search for simple recipes with a maximum preparation time of 30 minutes and 7 ingredients
  • Create a shopping list to avoid buying too much
  • Cook things you like to eat
  • Make cooking an event and invite friends over

More flexitarians and less meat consumption

  • Start with one meal and work your way up
  • Trail mix and SATURO helps against cravings
  • Beans, lentils and tofu are good sources of protein
  • Focus on whole foods

Transparency and sustainability when shopping

  • Vegetable subscription from the farm nearby
  • Buy from the producer via crowdfarming or food coops
  • Become a member of a SoLaWi for fresh vegetables and fresh air
  • Consciously avoid packaged food
  • 500 ml drinkable food

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  • 330 ml drinkable meal

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  • Saturo shake

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  • Energy bar

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FAQs: Frequently asked questions about the food of the future

What will we eat in the future?

Whether we will eat insects in the future and meat will be completely replaced by lab-grown meat is uncertain. However, it is likely that the food of the future will be both enjoyable and ethical and environmentally friendly.

What are the food trends of 2024?

Three food trends will emerge in 2024:

  • People will cook more at home
  • Less meat will be consumed
  • More organic and regional purchases

What is personalized nutrition?

Personalized nutrition involves making individualized dietary recommendations based on your genes. A genetic test evaluates them and allows conclusions to be drawn about which foods are better utilized by the body than others.

What is functional food?

In addition to providing energy, functional food also has the additional task of making the body healthy. Functional food is therefore enriched with vitamins and nutrients, e.g. omega-3 fatty acids or probiotics.

What is urban gardening?

Urban gardening is the concept of community gardens that create space in the city to enable interested people to grow vegetables. This gives you a feel for the journey of food from seed to plate and allows you to get to know other people at the same time.

What is a flexitarian?

A flexitarian is someone who consciously gives up meat from time to time. They are not bound by any absolutes that forbid them to never eat meat or fish again. However, for ethical, health, taste or environmental reasons, they have decided that reducing their meat consumption is beneficial.

Collapsible content

Sources

  1. Statista (February 2020) Sales of meat and meat alternatives worldwide by 2040
  2. Statista (May 2020) Deaths due to circulatory diseases in Germany until 2018
  3. Federal Ministry of Health (October 2016) Guide to prevention and health promotion
  4. 2019 Edelman Trust Barometer Food and Beverage
  5. Statista (May 2020) More consumers are now ordering food online
  6. NABU Meat consumption in Germany: Ethical, social and ecological consequences of our diet
  7. Tierärzte Verlag (February 2019) What does the animal feel?
  8. Henchion, M., Hayes, M., Mullen, A. M., Fenelon, M., & Tiwari, B. (2017). Future Protein Supply and Demand: Strategies and Factors Influencing a Sustainable Equilibrium. Foods (Basel, Switzerland), 6(7), 53.
  9. Kearney J. (2010). Food consumption trends and drivers. Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences, 365(1554), 2793-2807.
  10. Mosa Meat Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved November 12, 2020 from
  11. Mosa Meat How It's Made. Retrieved November 12, 2020, from
  12. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations The contribution of insects to food security, livelihoods and the environment
  13. Torres-Tiji, Y., Fields, F. J., & Mayfield, S. P. (2020). Microalgae as a future food source. Biotechnology advances, 41, 107536
  14. Dropulich, S Microalgae: Future food for thought. Retrieved November 12, 2020, from
  15. Niemann, A.L. A city like a cornucopia. Retrieved November 12, 2020, from
  16. Appinio (October 2020) appinio FMCG Report, Consumer behavior and changes in the food sector during the corona crisis
  17. Appinio (October 2020) appinio FMCG Report, Consumer behavior and changes in the food sector during the corona crisis
  18. Kling, H Development of vegetarian, vegan and flexitarian diets in Austria 2015 to 2017. Retrieved November 12, 2020
  19. Statista (November 2020) Statistics on vegetarianism and veganism in Austria
  20. Statista (November 2020) Number of vegetarians, vegans and flexitarians in Austria 2018
  21. Statista (August 2020) Population of Austria until 2020
  22. KPMG AG (March 2020) Sustainability is more than just a short-term trend
  23. Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety Plastic bag ban
  24. WKO (July 2019) Plastic carrier bag ban from 1.1.2020 in Austria
  25. Gadeib, A Organic food: a growth market with trust issues. Retrieved November 12, 2020