US Trending Flavors and Ingredients in Protein Report 2025
2025-03-19T18:03:56+00:00
REP125B75B7_7217_4F35_A071_F780D11276F8
3695
180697
[{"name":"Food","url":"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/industries\/food"},{"name":"Ingredients and Additives","url":"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/industries\/food\/ingredients-additives"},{"name":"Market Intelligence Reports","url":"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/report-type\/market-intelligence-reports"},{"name":"US","url":"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/markets\/us-market-research"}]
Report
en_GB
Value-added proteins are about meeting consumer demands. A brands' ability to shape-shift the positioning of their products can keep versatile and included in more routines. Adriana Chychula, Analyst - Food,…
US
Food
Ingredients and Additives
simple
US Trending Flavors and Ingredients in Protein Report 2025
"Value-added proteins are about meeting consumer demands. A brands' ability to shape-shift the positioning of their products can keep versatile and included in more routines."
More consumers are cooking at home, and value-added proteins support them in cooking from scratch, and help them maintain their habits.
Trending Flavors and Ingredients in Protein — Current Landscape
Because cooking from scratch all the time is nearly impossible for most consumers, they use convenience-enhanced protein options.
However, rising health consciousness causes some consumers to cut back. However, there are ways to boost perceptions and support wellness ideals outside of product formulations. Where flavor and ingredient innovation is concerned, thinking outside the category and tapping into familiar favorites offers endless potential.
Statistics on Trending Flavors in Protein
Protein Consumption Trends: 39% of US-Americans are trying to eat healthier, and are therefore decreasing value-added protein consumption.
The US Protein Ingredient Market: 37% of consumers wish US food products had stricter regulations, for example, the banning of additives that are already prohibited in the EU.
Trending Flavors and Ingredients in Protein Report — What’s Inside?
Key Topics Analysed in this Report
External factors impacting the value-added protein market.
Protein format consumption and preparation methods.
Changes in value-added protein consumption trends.
Reasons for increasing and decreasing value-added protein consumption.
Collapse All
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
What you need to know
Market predictions
What consumers want & why
Opportunities
Health: just add a side of fiber
Graph 1: reasons for decreasing value-added protein consumption, 2025
Walk consumers through food safety
Distinguish through nutrient density
Umami as a solution to sodium reduction
Bold and familiar, easy and mess-free
MARKET DYNAMICS
Market context
State of the market
Strong animal protein engagement, ample opportunity
Graph 2: protein consumption over last six months, 2025
Significant portion of consumers engaging in value-added options
Graph 3: value-added protein purchase, 2025
Mixing and matching calls for varied portfolios
Graph 4: protein format purchase, by protein format purchase, 2025
Market drivers
Regulatory shake-ups, food safety concerns
FDA amendment to “healthy” definition, front-of-pack labeling
The big picture of public health
Graph 5: reasons for decreasing value-added protein consumption, 2025
CONSUMER INSIGHTS
Consumer fast facts
Protein format consumption
The balance between shortcuts and effort
Graph 6: protein format purchase, 2025
Younger consumers leading value-added options
Graph 7: protein format purchase, 2025
Support entire financial wellness spectrum
Graph 8: typical protein preparation, by financial situation, 2025
Typical protein preparation/flavor application
Ease consumers into more effort-intensive prep methods
Graph 9: typical protein preparation/flavor applications, 2025
Encourage creativity among younger consumers
Graph 10: typical preparation/flavor applications, by generation, 2025
Foster joy of cooking across financial spectrum
Graph 11: typical protein preparation/flavor applications, by financial status, 2025
Changes in value-added protein consumption
Wide target of consumers engaging in protein shortcuts
Graph 12: changes in value-added protein consumption, 2025
A look at who’s increasing
Graph 13: changes in value-added protein consumption, by generation, 2025
Graph 14: changes in value-added protein consumption, by financial health, 2025
Ease barriers to at-home accomplishments
Graph 15: reasons for increased value-added protein consumption, 2025
Support older consumers’ wellness endeavors
Graph 16: reasons for increasing value-added protein consumption, by generation, 2025
Financially inclusive wellness
Graph 17: reasons for increasing value-added protein consumption, 2025
Work around health hang-ups
Graph 18: reasons for decreasing value-added protein consumption, 2025
Motivations for increasing value-added protein purchase
Maintain financial sensitivity
Graph 19: motivations for increasing value-added protein purchase, 2025
Empower younger consumers with diverse prep methods
Graph 20: motivations for increasing value-added protein purchase, 2025
Health can command a premium
Graph 21: motivations for increased value-added protein purchase, by financial status, 2025
Interest and experience in flavors, by occasion
Build flavor intensity throughout the day – and encourage Rule Rebellion
Ease in with breakfast
Graph 22: breakfast, 2025
Let innovation fly at lunch
Graph 23: lunch, 2025
Break rules at dinner
Graph 24: dinner, 2025
Interest and experience in flavors and preparation methods
Convert curious consumers with the right descriptors
Graph 25: interest and experience in flavor, 2025
Younger consumers’ tastes decidedly global
Graph 26: interest and experience in flavor, by generation, 2025
“Premium” processing?
Graph 27: interest and experience in flavor, by financial health, 2025
Opinions toward value-added proteins
Overall positive reception positions brands for increased engagement
Graph 29: opinions toward value-added proteins, by generation, 2025
Connect with financially comfortable consumers through product backstories
Graph 30: opinions toward value-added proteins, by financial status, 2025
INNOVATION AND MARKETING STRATEGIES
Launch activity and innovation
Conagra’s “on track” claims provide guidance for GLP-1 users
Walmart bettergoods embrace affordability
Bold concepts entering periphery through foodservice
Product development: what’s now
Nutritional highlights
Foodservice, brand inspiration
Product development: what’s near
Cross-category inspiration
Chef-elevated products
Product development: what’s next
City-specific inspiration
Familiar formats, reimagined
APPENDIX
Market definition
Consumer research questions
Consumer research methodology
Generations
Market Intelligence Made Easier With Mintel
The first Mintel Market Intelligence report was published over 50 years ago. Since then, we have provided our unique insights and understanding of consumers, innovation and global markets to thousands of customers worldwide. Here’s why our customers rely on Mintel:
Gain a comprehensive, 360-degree view of the market: Mintel reports blend consumer research, market forecasts, product innovation tracking, and competitive analysis, allowing businesses to see every angle of their industry and identify new opportunities quickly.
Make decisions with confidence, grounded in robust data: Each report draws on up-to-date, reliable information from trusted sources and industry experts, ensuring your strategies are based on solid evidence rather than speculation.
Benefit from expert analysis and practical recommendations: Mintel’s reports are written by experienced analysts who interpret complex data and provide clear, actionable insights you can trust to guide your next moves.
Stay ahead with actionable intelligence on market trends and consumer behaviour: By combining fresh research with long-term market monitoring, our reports help businesses anticipate changes and adapt strategically. So you’re prepared to make informed decisions and drive growth.
What goes into a Mintel Market Intelligence Report?
Curious about how a Market Intelligence report comes together? We like to think of it as building a detailed puzzle. We start with individual pieces: data from consumers, market statistics, industry trends, and online conversations. Then our expert analysts add world-class human insight and industry knowledge. The pieces are assembled to reveal a clear, comprehensive picture of a market.
The Four Pillars of Our Research
We use a combination of four main research methods when creating our reports, each adding a valuable perspective:
Consumer Research: Direct surveys with real people, giving us clear, current insights into what people think and do.
Desk Research: In-depth review of trusted data sources. We use this rich database, plus powerful internal tools that track new products and market sizes, to detect trends and guide forecasts.
Trade Research: Insights from conversations with industry experts. Their real-world experience helps us understand what’s happening behind the scenes.
Brand and Social Media Research: Analysis of online opinions and trends. This lets us spot trends, measure brand sentiment, and capture feedback in real time, adding further depth to our research.
Bringing It All Together
Each of these four pillars provides a different piece of the puzzle. Consumer research tells us what customers think, desk research provides the factual framework, trade research offers an insider’s view, and social media analysis reveals public sentiment.
Our expert analysts are skilled in weaving these diverse data streams together. They apply a range of quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques to uncover the deeper story, connecting the dots to deliver clear, actionable insights. This comprehensive, multi-layered process is how we transform raw data into a market intelligence report you can trust to inform your most important business decisions.
£ 3,695(Excl.Tax)
Download today with instant access
Pay via credit card or invoice (net 30 payment terms)
Multiple formats provided
We send a PDF, Powerpoint and Excel Databook straight to your inbox. An interactive version of the report is also available on our online platform
Interactive databook included
Focus on the data that matters most to you with a customisable databook avaliable on our platform
The salty snacks market enters 2026 in a resilient position: despite inflation, weak consumer sentiment, and mounting price pressures, sales are forecasted to continue to climb, up 2.8%...
64% of US adults snack at least once daily, making snacking a normalized staple of American eating habits. Despite inflation pressuring household grocery...
The soup category is entering a period of slow but steady growth, buoyed by its reputation for comfort, convenience, and affordability. While traditional canned and condensed segments continue...
Flavor remains the cornerstone of salty snacks despite growing interest in functional benefits and ingredient omissions. Consumers cite a variety of factors that they feel most impact flavor...
After steep price increases in 2022 and 2023, inflation in the Tortilla category is now low. Nevertheless, consumers are sensitive to future increases in the price of tortillas/wraps....
When I’m investigating specific sectors I tend to use Mintel reports for their forecasting, which I’ve always found to be very accurate.
They also offer really broad and deep coverage in their reports. They are very, very detailed. For example, we were able to gain insight across a wide range of business areas from just one report, proving that Mintel is excellent value for money.
So overall, it’s the level of detail and the quality of forecasting that really stand out for me.
Rebecca Green, Market Insight Manager, Wincanton
We have such a great working relationship with Mintel on lots of different levels. As an insight partner, they have helped us to develop our business planning in specific categories as well as supporting our creative process but they’ve also been super helpful with facilitating our events in their inspirational offices near St Paul’s.
They’re an innovative company, with a client-focused team that always delivers.
Abby Carvosso, Group Managing Director, Bauer Media Group
We utilize Mintel Reports, Trends and Comperemedia to mine for insights across the numerous business verticals that Epsilon serves, such as CPG, automotive, telecom, healthcare/pharma, retail and financial services.
By integrating Mintel insight into new business opportunities, we have been able to gain the competitive edge necessary to advance partnerships with global brands and key business players.
For our organization, it’s about depth and breadth. Having one without the other doesn’t enable success in our business.
Virginia Harvey, Secondary Research Manager, Epsilon
Working in a customer-obsessed organization means that data and insights have to be at our fingertips. Mintel’s reports help us support anecdotes with real quantifiable insights. The summary sections (which I really like) helps save time by giving a birds eye view of the content before spending time combing through the pages.
Our business review discussions are strengthened by the relevancy of the reports to help us better understand our customers. In addition, the customer service received from the team (especially in crunch periods) makes the process of understanding customer behavior even better.
At Jackman, we believe that powerful strategies are based on human insight. Mintel’s leading-edge reports and insights into consumer attitudes and behaviors are an important input as we develop and execute strategy.
Alana Gavin, VP Research and Insights, Jackman
Next Starts Here
Whatever your business needs, we have the solution. From market intelligence reports to customised growth strategies.