# Ancient Alternatives Ancient grains offer alternatives outside of quinoa and whole wheat. By [Rebecca Byers](https://www.trendhunter.com/becbyers), Insights Research at Trend Hunter | Published Jun 21, 2017 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ancient-alternatives ## Key Figures - Trend score: 1.9/10 - Evidence articles: 8 ## What is the Ancient Alternatives trend? **Ancient Alternatives:** As brands look to keep up with discerning health consumers who are always acquiring new knowledge, many are launching products that offer a wider variety of unrefined grains as substitutes. This shift highlights that the pattern of reclaiming ancient ingredients to meet modern health and wellness goals. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 8 featured examples - Articles from: Mar 2, 2016 to Aug 11, 2017 - Published: Jun 21, 2017 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Simplicity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/simplicity), [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience), [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Themes within the Ancient Alternatives trend ### Ancient Grains Reclaiming ancient grains is a pattern of meeting modern health and wellness goals. ### Healthy Convenience Foods Ready-to-eat meals and snacks of ancient grains cater to those who prefer planning their day around activities over mealtimes. ### Super Grain-Based Recipes Incorporating a variety of ancient grains in recipes like pizza crusts and cookies provide alternatives for health-conscious consumers with diet restrictions. ## What the Ancient Alternatives trend means for industry ### For Health & Wellness The trend of reclaiming ancient grains for modern health and wellness goals exemplify the disruption of conventional thinking around what constitutes healthy food. ### For Convenience & Ready-to-Eat Foods Incorporating ancient grains in ready-to-eat meals and snacks offer consumers fast, on-the-go healthy alternatives. ### For Food Ingredients & Manufacturing Catering to evolving consumer demands for healthier and more diverse food options require food ingredient manufacturers to consider incorporating various ancient grains into their products. ## Workshop question What new interpretations of ancient knowledge be used connect with your customers on their modern health and wellness journey? ## Trend signals for Ancient Alternatives Trend score 1.9 out of 10, from popularity 17%, activity 32%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 17% - Activity: 32% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Ancient Alternatives trend 8 featured examples from Mar 2, 2016 to Aug 11, 2017. - [Ancient Grain Cereals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/organic-cereals): One Degree's Organic Cereals are Powered by Healthy Sprouted Grains (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Food companies can capitalize on the trend of organic sprouted cereals to offer healthier breakfast options and cater to the demand for vegan and gluten-free products. - [Super Grain-Infused Cookie Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grain-cookies): The NuturMe Ancient Grain Cookies are Packed with Probiotics (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Food companies can explore the creation of nutrient-dense snacks using super grains and probiotics to cater to health-conscious consumers. - [Earthy Snack Chip Lines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sprouted-grains): The Primizie’s Organic Sprouted Grains Crispbreads are Nutrient-Rich (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Innovation opportunity for food manufacturers to develop and produce organic and gluten-free snack chips. - [Kid-Friendly Spelt Cereals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cereal-for-children): Rude Health's Cereal for Children is Made with Ancient Grains (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The food manufacturing industry has the opportunity to create and market more kid-friendly cereals made with natural ingredients and ancient grains. - [Artisan Grain Breakfast Bowls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ready-to-eat-breakfast): Melanie's Medleys Makes Nourishing Ready-to-Eat Breakfasts (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate smart packaging technologies to extend shelf life while ensuring freshness and food safety in ready-to-eat meals. - [Ancient Grain Porridges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/whole-grain-breakfast): Pereg Natural Foods' Whole-Grain Breakfast Features Teff (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Food companies can incorporate Teff into their product lines to cater to the growing demand for healthier and gluten-free breakfast options. - [Ancient Grain Pizza Crusts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/glutenfree-pizza-crust): This Papa John's Gluten-Free Pizza Crust is Made with Healthy Grains (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity for pizza delivery companies to offer a unique selling point by introducing gluten-free pizza crusts made with healthy grains. - [Vegetable Grain Dips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegetable-spreads): Popp Feinkost Makes Chilled Vegetable Spreads Like Tomato-Freekeh (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: In the ever-growing food and beverage industry, there are opportunities to create and market inventive vegetable spreads with unique flavor profiles, using superfood ingredients t… ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Lifestyle - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Multi-Benefit Protein Shakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comes-in-three-flavors) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) All articles: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle)