Top meals tendencies of 2026 revealed – from sweetcorn desserts to nettles
Healthy eating is all the rage this year as people look to use superfoods to fill their snacking moods, as experts predict what could be a major boost in public health next year
Sweetcorn desserts are set to be a major health hack for 2026, experts reckon. A maize-flavoured ice-cream is set to take the UK by storm.
Food futurologist Dr Morgaine Gaye also believes more Brits will be tucking into pestos, soups and salads packed with dandelion greens and nettles to boost their wellbeing. Nutritionist Lily Keeling, from firm Green Chef UK, said: “Who would have guessed sweetcorn ice cream would be on the menu for 2026?
“These trends are such a great reminder that healthy eating can be exciting and surprising. Next year is looking incredibly innovative, offering a fresh chance for people to explore new flavours and feel good doing it.”
Lily added: “Sweetcorn is full of fibre and incorporating it into desserts is a clever way to boost nutritional value while adding creativity.” And the UK is set to enjoy a banana boom next year with the fruit used in puddings, drinks and pies inspired by the buzz around Magnolia Bakery’s sweet treat in New York.
Lily said: “Bananas are rich in potassium and prebiotic fibre, supporting nerve function and gut health. Their natural sweetness and creamy consistency make them ideal for healthier desserts and drinks.”
Meanwhile, cardamom will be crowned the wellness spice of 2026, inspired by Scandinavian cardamom rolls and the rise in Middle Eastern dessert flavours. The spice boasts natural anti-inflammatory properties and is poised to take over health bars, drinks and sweet treats next year.
Lily added: “Cardamom’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities make it well-suited as a functional food, offering both flavour and wellbeing benefits. Try our delicious Chickpea Tikka Masala with Cardamom Turmeric Rice to see if cardamom is for you.”
Experts also forecast tahini and black sesame will dominate 2026’s sweet and savoury grub scene. And beef tallow is set to make a shock comeback in restaurants, boosted by the carnivore diet trend and falling interest in meat substitutes.
It comes after 2025 saw oat milk and plant-powered comfort foods dominate the foodie scene. However, despite the huge surge in popularity for oat milk, not everyone has enjoyed having it in their tea, as one customer found out.
In a video that has been watched millions of times, a woman was left sickened after she bought a carton of oat milk from Lidl for just 89p. But after buying the carton, she immediately runs and pours it out, revealing there are white lumps at the bottom of the drink.
She later blasted Lidl for refusing to take down the oat milk from their shelves. In a statement in response to the video, Lidl said: “Following customer feedback, we have worked with our supplier on a reformulation of the oat milk which will be in stores very soon.”
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