From gut health to brain food to "30 plants a week", health-focused mindful eating is expected to be the focus of some of the UK's largest grocers this year.
According to a recent report, UK's largest retailers will be expanding their own label food offering this year by including mushroom drinks, wellness food, healthy new condiments, brain food and functional drinks.
UK’s largest retailer Tesco has been spotlighting whole foods for a while. After driving sales of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and plant-based products, the supermarket has introduced a meat-free Root & Soul ready meal range that put vegetables front and centre.
Tesco revealed in October that “veg-led meals” account for 40 per cent of its plant-based sales, prompting it to go big on whole foods – rather than meat alternatives – in its vegan range for Christmas.
Its latest survey shows that gut health is a top concern for 37 per cent of Brits this year, and 70 per cent of them are adding more fibre to their diet to maintain a healthy microbiome. Over one in five (22 per cent) also plan to consume more plant-based foods.
Playing into that trend, Tesco is reportedly launching its own gut-health-focused range this year, filing a trademark application for the name Gut Sense, covering kefir, cereal bars, nuts, vitamin-infused beverages, and supplements.
“There is no longer a ‘one size fits all’ approach to improving health and we’re seeing a new era of health that is more targeted and tailored to the individual,” Tesco nutritionist Natasha Maynard said after the latest poll.
“We believe in encouraging small changes which can have a big impact and help people to stick with much healthier and more sustainable diets long term. Considering things like increasing fruit, vegetables and fibre in diets is great for our health.”
Meanwhile, Marks & Spencer’s new offer for 2025 is dominated by mushrooms, weight loss, cognitive health, and gut wellness. The high-end grocer has unveiled 100 new and updated products targeting health-conscious consumers.
In a new Brain Food range, M&S is highlighting nutrients that benefit cognitive health, such as omega-3, iodine, zinc, iron, and vitamins B9 and B12, with products like Brain Food Ball (with almond butter and mixed berries), Oat of the Blue (an oat and coconut milk refresher with spirulina, and Super Seeded Nut butter (peanut butter mixed with chia, pumpkin, sunflower and golden linseeds).
Its new Yay! Mushrooms drinks, meanwhile, were developed with scientists at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, featuring lion’s mane or reishi mushrooms.
There’s also a high-protein Balanced for You range – with options like Bang Bang Cauliflower and a Chocolate Hazelnut Spread – and new offerings from its Count on Us weight-loss lineup.
Sainsbury's too has recently launched a new ‘Healthy Choice’ range along with a line of raw-pressed juices and shots that use watermelon juice as a base. This will be followed by new kefir and yoghurt ranges to cater to gut wellness.
Supermarket Waitrose will be seen pushing "30 plants a week" concept through Plant Varieties range including fresh soups, snacks, cereals, and meals.
The report follows a recent survey by Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) which shows that in 2025, consumers are most likely to cut back on consumption of ultra-processed foods (28 per cent), reduce intake of sugar, fat and salt (25 per cent) and consume a more sustainable diet (18 per cent).
Social media and fitness apps are most likely to influence the 18-34’s to start a new diet or fitness regime in 2025. However the over 55’s are most likely to be motivated by weight loss and/or medical advice
