Out-of-Home Nutrition Trends: What Consumers want from Food and Beverages
People are enjoying more meals and beverages than ever away from home.
In fact, the market has grown from $4.2 trillion in 2025 to $4.3 trillion in 20261. But out-of-home spending is no longer limited to restaurants and cafés. Millions of people also consume food and drinks at workplace canteens, education and healthcare institutions, and convenience stores every day.
To learn more about their distinct needs and priorities, the Nutripro editorial team conducted a study with Euromonitor in 2026. Read on to learn what this study and additional research on consumer trends revealed, and how you can put these health- and nutrition-driven findings to work in your business.
Nutrition expectations vary across out-of-home occasions
Expectations vary according to the kind of meal people are seeking in each moment. For example, full-service dining guests are there for enjoyment and the experience. However, in business and industry settings like workplace cafés and canteens, which are projected to grow 8.5% through 20332, consumers are looking for variety and options that align with their nutritional needs.
Meanwhile, grab & go meals and snacks have also become routine for many people. In an on-the-go society, one in three consumers worldwide buy ready-to-eat food and beverages from convenience stores weekly, and 23% report that their convenience store visits increased in the last year3. These shoppers prioritize functionality and the ease of quick, satisfying solutions.
Still other factors are top-of-mind in healthcare and education channels, where people rely on chefs and nutrition professionals to ensure that their meals deliver the right nutritional balance. While some consumers are aware of their own nutritional needs, they are also looking to food operators for answers. In fact, over one in five think that foodservice providers are responsible to encourage healthy and nutritious eating4.
Recent research shows that 70% of consumers actively seek foods and beverages with added health benefits5. They are looking for more protein and fibre, less sugar, and smaller portions without sacrificing enjoyment. Demand is also rising for vegetarian, gluten-free, and other specialized menu options, along with shorter, more familiar ingredient lists. Convenience factors into their decisions, too, with more people looking for grab & go solutions that fit seamlessly into their busy lifestyles.
How health and nutrition priorities vary across foodservice channels
Priorities vary according to the places where people consume food and beverages. In workplace catering, universities, and healthcare, balance and credibility matter most, consumers expect nutritionally sound offerings that support their wellbeing. Here, nutrition is increasingly viewed as an important component of workplace wellbeing strategies and employee experience. The corporate clients who run these establishments are also placing greater emphasis on nutrition and health as part of their broader wellbeing strategies, making them important considerations for future growth. By contrast, in convenience stores and on-the-go venues, speed and functionality win, with a strong focus on efficiency, portability, and immediate satisfaction.
Turning nutrition trends into foodservice opportunities
For foodservice operators, these changing expectations create opportunities to make nutrition more relevant to each channel and consumption occasion. This could mean offering balanced and varied choices in workplace and institutional settings, convenient options that combine nutrition and functionality for on-the-go consumers, or responding to demand for more protein and fibre, less sugar, appropriate portion sizes and specialized dietary options. By translating evolving nutrition expectations into practical menu and beverage solutions, operators can better meet consumer needs while creating opportunities for business growth.
Sources:
1Global Data. Consumer Spend on Food. 2026.
2Kar, S. Understanding Growth Challenges in Onsite Cafeteria Service Market 2026-2034. https://www.globaldata.com/industries/foodservice/ (10 July 2026).
3Euromonitor Consumer Lifestyles Survey, Eating and Drinking, 2026.
4PwC’s Voice of the Consumer. A New Recipe for the Food Industry. 2025. Www.Pwc.Com/Gx/En/Issues/c-Suite- Insights/Pwc-Voice-of-the-Consumer- Survey-2025.Pdf (10 July 2026).
5Market Research Report 2026. Functional Food and Beverage Market Overview. Www.Businessresearchinsights.Com/ Market-Reports/Functional- Food-and-Beverage-Market-125082 (10 July 2026).