Is 2026 the year of cabbage? Are we still protein-maxxing? How will GLP-1 medications change the packages we see at the grocery store?
This week, Kristin Diaz and David Rancken of Ask the Expert on Audacy station KRLD spoke with Merdian Zerner, an award-winning dietician from the Cooper Clinic, to get the scoop on what dieting trends are expected to dominate the coming year. These are some of the questions she tackled.
As we enter 2026, Zerner noted that we’re coming off of a year when protein dominated, even in lattes at Starbucks. She expects that trend will carry over into the new year.
“They were putting protein in literally everything. I even saw a protein croissant. Like, I don’t know if we need that, but it’s there,” she said. “And while certainly, an adequate amount of protein to help prevent muscle loss [and] it’s going to be really helpful and it helps with satiety… but not to the exclusion of all these other wonderful things that we need in our diet.”
Another trend from last year that Zerner expects to keep seeing in 2026 is fiber-maxxing. In fact, some people are saying that fiber is the new protein.
“I believe we’re going to see both with many more fiber supplements, or fiber being added to foods or gosh… wouldn’t it be great if we just ate fruits and vegetables that had the fiber in them naturally? That would be great,” she said.
Along these lines, cabbage is shaping up to be a star this year. Zerner even said cabbage is expected to be the “new cauliflower,” in reference to the how that vegetable has made a name for itself as an alternative to starchy carbs like rice. Some of that cabbage will likely come from farms owned by women, based on another trend Zerner mentioned.
“It’s the year of the female farmer,” she said. “So, we’re going to see a lot more female sourced businesses in the food system globally and in our country.”
With GLP-1 medications like Ozempic – which work to reduce weight in part by decreasing appetite – Zerner also said consumers should expect to see packaging tailored for people on these medications, likely with smaller portions. In October, Audacy reported on this trend hitting sit-down restaurants.
Packaged foods are also expected to get a bit of a glow-up in 2026, Zerner said.
“That happens to be one of the 2026 trends… this idea of freezer fine dining where you're seeing it no longer be so sad, but smarter,” she told Ask the Expert. “You’re seeing these tastier, more gourmet frozen options and yes, still frozen, which means a little bit of sodium, but adding more flavor, better nutrition, better sourcing, higher quality in this sort of grab and go quick microwave fashion.”
Cocktails are getting a makeover too – at least some of them. While millennials and Gen Z try to cut down on their alcohol consumption, alternatives like Kava and mocktails have been trending in recent years.
The trend Zerner most excited about? Any with an emphasis on foods that support brain health and longevity. She said that approach to diet is a good one, since it can really help people down the line.
At the same time, there are some trends she’s not as excited about. Tallow is one of them.
“I think we’ll see more tallow, although that is one of the trends I don’t know that I... need to see become, you know, integral in your day-to-day,” Zerner said. Audacy previously reported on the tallow trend in detail here.
Using artificial intelligence to plan a diet is also something Zerner said she doesn’t totally discourage but that she hopes people use with help from a nutritionist. She said the same about trends and tips gleaned from social media.
“I think we go back to what my mom would have always said, which is ‘if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,’” Zerner noted. Overall, when it comes to trends, she added that “you just don't need to chase every,” one of them.