As health-conscious trends grow, the impact of popular dietary trends like vegan, gluten-free, and pescatarian diets continue to influence eating behavior. These preferences are far more than fleeting fads; they are shaping menu development, influencing holiday dining trends, and will continue to drive innovation well into 2025.
Understanding how to integrate these diets into your menu can help put you on the map as a destination for healthy diners, attract new clientele, and boost sales. We know that health can be wealth, for both the diner AND a restaurant’s bottom line.
No Meat? No Problem
The vegan movement has seen explosive growth, driven by ethical, environmental, and health concerns. Offering plant-based dishes is no longer just a courtesy; it’s an expectation. This is especially crucial during the holiday season when indulgence is expected but consumers are looking for healthier, sustainable options.
Consider crafting a vegan holiday offering with rich, comforting dishes that don’t sacrifice flavor. A festive lentil or nut roast with vegan gravy and seasonal root vegetables can serve as a satisfying centerpiece. And while it’s always possible to make a salad vegan by removing cheese, don’t just assume people will ask. Highlight the option on the menu itself to show people you are thinking of their preference. After dinner, dessert options like Sweet Encore® New York-style Vegan Dairy-free Cheesecake or a spiced apple crisp with dairy-free ice cream will make sure no one feels left out of the celebrations.
Going into the new year, the focus on sustainable dining alongside resolutions to eat healthier in 2025 will only grow stronger. Vegan menu options can help position your restaurant as a top option for the wellness community.
Free of Gluten, Full of Flavor
What started as a medical necessity for people with celiac disease has transformed into a broader dietary preference. Gluten-free diets are seen as healthier and more digestible by many. Search any local Facebook page for “gluten-free,” and you are sure to see multiple posts asking for suggestions on restaurants with gluten-free menus and options. Offering gluten-free and low-carb is essential to attract this growing market and avoid turning away parties because one person isn’t able to eat from your menu.
Incorporating gluten-free versions of holiday classics, like stuffing made with gluten-free bread or dinner rolls, can be a gamechanger. And for people taking it a step further trying to eliminate carbs, keto-friendly cloud bread is a high-protein choice for handhelds like breakfast sandwiches and burgers. PIM® Gluten-Free Breads and Cloud Bread are delicious bread alternatives delivering soft, airy textures that pair well with both sweet and savory offerings.
Hooked on a Seafood Diet
Pescatarian diets — primarily plant-based with the inclusion of seafood — are another trend gaining traction and the easiest to accommodate, especially on seasonal menus. Seafood is seen as a lighter, healthier protein, making pescatarian options popular year-round. And with options, like ready-to-eat dips from Empire’s Treasure®, prepared shrimp and crab salads, and a wide variety of fish and shellfish, it’s easy to highlight seafood on each section of the menu.
During the holidays, seafood can be a refreshing alternative to traditional heavy meats and casseroles. Luckily, Bay Winds® Lobster and Scallops are decadent, luxurious options perfect for a celebration. Incorporate festive, seafood-centered dishes like baked salmon with cranberry glaze, or Chilean salmon with red and green vegetables. Consider appetizers like caviar-topped oysters or lobster bisque to add variety and sophistication. For a fully immersive experience, offer a ‘Feast of the Seven Fishes’ prix fixe menu option that showcases the full bounty of the seas whether it’s a December 24th LTO or available earlier in the month.
Looking toward 2025, pescatarian dining will benefit from the rise of sustainability concerns, particularly around seafood sourcing. Highlighting responsibly sourced fish and ocean-friendly practices on your menu can enhance the appeal of your offerings. Plus, it also plays well into healthy choices in the new year, as seafood plates tend to be naturally lower in calories and fat.
New Year, New You
As we move into 2025, more consumers are expected to integrate these dietary patterns into part of their lifestyles, and not just as occasional choices. To stay ahead of the curve, consider introducing seasonal, diet-friendly specials to keep your menu fresh. Think beyond traditional “diet” foods and focus on flavorful, innovative dishes that celebrate fresh ingredients and exciting flavors.
Use creative substitutions and bold seasonings, like Zebec™ Greek Seasoning, to enhance the appeal of plant-based, gluten-free, and pescatarian dishes, without sacrificing the festive indulgence diners expect around the holidays. And when everyone is diving into new diets in the new year, you’ll be ready to entice them with healthy options that make it easy to keep those resolutions.
