he food and beverage industry has witnessed considerable changes in the last several years . While some consumers ’ lifestyle choices and health conditions decide their dietary patterns , new and evolving trends also play a critical role in shaping food and beverage experiences .

The pandemic forced people to reevaluate their mental and physical wellbeing and focused a light on incorporating wellness into daily dietary patterns . Today , wellness isn ’ t just a trend , it is a conscious way of life prompted by deliberate , informed decisions .

According to the Global Wellness Institute ( GWI ), the healthy eating , nutrition and weight-loss sector grew

to $ 1,079 billion in 2022 from $ 911 billion in 2019 . This is the only sector to maintain a positive growth trajectory since the onset of the pandemic . Consumers are now considering how they fuel and function daily and this is impacting the F & B industry . As consumers look for ways to enhance their physical , mental and emotional wellbeing , hotels have been leaning into a few trends from an F & B perspective to better cater to travelers . Hotels have been tapping into and tweaking their existing restaurant menus to offer healthier options or adding new and refreshed dining concepts to cater to evolving food choices .

This shift is not just about

providing the power of choice or even accommodating food preferences , sensitivities or allergens ( e . g ., gluten free , dairy free , nut free ), but , instead , enabling guests to get proactive about their health and wellbeing through food and beverage , said Mia Kyricos , president and founder of Kyricos & Associates , a wellness consultancy .

“ Major hotel brands have been on this bandwagon for some time ,” she said , citing Marriott International ’ s Westin brand , for one , which she said pioneered the concept of adding super foods to their restaurant menus beginning back in 2006 or 2007 . “ Today , gut health is a big trend and the power of probiotics and fermented foods ,

like sauerkraut and kimchi , which can help to reinforce it . As the science becomes more well known , so , too , will the related demands .”

EVEN Hotels , an IHG brand designed and created with wellness at its core , launched a new , flexible restaurant concept called EVEN Kitchen & Bar , which offers menu options for guests looking to eat healthy on the road , including vegetarian options .

NEW TRENDS Hotels are increasingly offering increased vegetarian options and high-protein plant-based foods . Even carnivores are trying to find ways to eat less meat , whether for personal health reasons , the environment

82 hotelsmag . com Mar / Apr 2024