Fx-Products to Help You Stay on Top of 2026 Food Trends
The following article was written by Heinen’s Chief Dietitian, Melanie Jatsek RD, LD. Please consult with your primary healthcare provider before adding new supplements to your wellness routine.
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It’s a brand-new year, and with it comes a fresh batch of food trends to consider. I’ll admit it, I’m skeptical of faddish food trends, and for good reason! By definition, a fad is short-lived, and I’m not one to endorse ideas that I know won’t stand the test of time.
The good news is that you can twist a trend to make it a lasting one that benefits you! Take, for example, the protein trend. Cheeseburgers and split peas both supply protein, but one comes packaged with more salt and saturated fat than your body was meant to eat in one meal. I’ll let you guess which one!
The food trends featured here are a win all around—healthy, sustainable, and full of flavorful inspiration that makes living an Fx (food as medicine) lifestyle easier and tastier than ever.
Trend 1: Protein Power
Balanced, minimally processed protein is always in style. Here, I chose to focus on green split peas, the humble legume likely collecting dust in kitchen pantries across the globe. Two inexpensive, belly-warming ways to invite this protein powerhouse into your meals include:
- Heinen’s organic green split peas: A 1/4 cup dry (1 cup cooked) serving offers 8 grams of plant protein, 9 grams of much needed dietary fiber, and zero sodium.
Meal Tip: For a recipe-ready source of protein, boil a bag of Heinen’s organic green split peas and refrigerate. Blend a 1/2 cup into smoothies, top off salads, add to Buddha Bowls, or stir into pasta sauce.
- McDougall’s split pea soup: A convenient meal solution packed with 15 grams of protein, just as much fiber, and half the sodium of conventional soup. Available in the soup aisle in a travel-friendly soup cup (must add hot water) or ready-to-eat varieties.
Trend 2: Fiber-Friendly Snacks
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the average American only gets 10 of the recommended 30-35 grams of fiber each day. But since you’re reading this, I already know you’re way above average!
As you’ve just witnessed, split peas are a great source of fiber! But who wants to snack on split peas? I think you’ll find these perfectly portioned fiber-packed snacks more to your liking:
- Rind fruit snacks: Delightfully sweet and chewy, Rind snacks are a simple dried fruit with upwards of 14 grams of fiber per bag. The only thing they left out was the added sugar! Look for Rind in the dried fruit aisle in Tropical, Orchard, and Straw-Peary flavors.
- IQ bars: If you’re looking for a plant-based, low sugar snack with 8-9 grams of fiber, 12 grams of protein, and functional ingredients like lion’s mane mushrooms to help you focus, seek no further than IQ bars! Found in the Wellness department, these bars come in three mouthwatering flavors: Chocolate Mint Chip, Peanut Butter Chip, and Chocolate Sea Salt.
Trend 3: Global Flavors
A good sauce or seasoning is sometimes all it takes to bring a healthy meal to life! These globally inspired flavors are lower in sodium, making them better for your heart without sacrificing taste.
- Muso Green Nori Seaweed Furikake and Yuzu Furikake (85-105 mg sodium per serving): Furikake is a Japanese ready-to-use table condiment that is free of additives and artificial flavors. The edible seaweed nori is a common ingredient in both seasonings. It’s a great source of iodine, an essential mineral important for thyroid function and immune health.
Meal Tip: Sprinkle on grilled meat or fish, a bowl of rice, popcorn, or wherever you want to deliver an extra pop of flavor and satisfying crunch. It can be a topping for noodle dishes and even a salad seasoning.
- Mina Mild Harissa Moroccan Red Pepper Sauce (65 mg sodium per serving): A staple on Moroccan tables, harissa is a red pepper sauce that elevates any dish, from meats, seafood, and eggs, to vegetables, pastas, and soups.
Trend 4: Frozen Fine Dining
Frozen pizza and ultra processed tv dinners used to be what you turned to for a quick meal solution in a pinch. Although these foods still poorly satisfy that need today, Heinen’s Frozen department now offers many wholesome, flavorful options that feel almost homemade. Here are two premium frozen meal solutions to satisfy meat-eaters and vegetarians alike.
- Amy’s Palak Paneer Whole Meal: Smooth, creamy, and perfectly spiced, tossed with cubes of soft Indian-style cheese, you’ll never think of spinach the same way again. Rajmah dal, made from organic red kidney beans in a ginger-garlic sauce, and organic basmati rice complete the meal.
- Kevin’s Beef Bolognese Bowl: A hearty pasta entree made with grass-fed ground beef, cauliflower pasta, and an unforgettable Italian-style tomato sauce.
Key Takeaway
Fads fade quickly, but many can be reshaped into healthy habits. These trends offer nourishing, sustainable, and flavorful inspiration that makes an Fx lifestyle both practical and enjoyable.
