# Nutritious Noodle Pasta incorporating health-conscious ingredients appeals to the halfway healthy. By [Gil Cohen](https://www.trendhunter.com/ghaddi), SVP Client Success | Published Mar 3, 2017 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/nutritious-noodle ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.3/10 - Evidence articles: 7 ## What is the Nutritious Noodle trend? **Nutritious Noodle:** Indulgent pasta dishes are being upleveled with nutritious ingredients to satisfy the cravings of the modern “halfway healthy” consumer. Infusing noodles with good-for-you benefits such as protein or an extra boost of greens, appeals to the consumer who is trying to make healthier choices but isn’t ready to give up on all their favorite foods. This notes a shift away from extremely health-oriented foods to a much more accessible mode of wellness. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 7 featured examples - Articles from: Jan 22, 2016 to Feb 25, 2017 - Published: Mar 3, 2017 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/reduction) - Megatrends: [Co-creation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/co-creation), [Simplicity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/simplicity), [Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/personalization) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen X - Top markets: North America, Asia ## Themes within the Nutritious Noodle trend ### Nutritious pasta substitutes Pasta dishes are being upleveled with nutritious ingredients to satisfy the cravings of the modern “halfway healthy” consumer. ### Innovative pasta ingredients The addition of unlikely ingredients such as green tea extract, spirulina, and crickets to traditional pasta dishes adds an unexpected element for a new eating experience. ### Weight loss food options Products like Konjac Skinny Noodles are tailored for weight loss to provide a meal that is tasty without supplying eaters with all the various ingredients they may be trying to avoid. ## What the Nutritious Noodle trend means for industry ### For Healthy Eating Food manufacturers can capitalize on growing interest in healthier options by developing nutritious pasta alternatives and incorporating innovative ingredients. ### For Sustainable Food Sources Incorporating crickets into pasta products offers an opportunity to showcase the sustainability of insects as a source of protein and foster greater acceptance of them as food sources. ### For Weight Loss Industry Producing food tailored for weight loss can provide a market for consumers looking to shed pounds or stay on top of a healthy lifestyle. ## Workshop question While not all trends appeal to all consumers, how can you target the consumer who seeks self-improvement but isn't ready to fully commit? ## Trend signals for Nutritious Noodle Trend score 3.3 out of 10, from popularity 44%, activity 46%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 44% - Activity: 46% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Nutritious Noodle trend 7 featured examples from Jan 22, 2016 to Feb 25, 2017. - [Cricket-Based Pastas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/protein-pasta): Bugeater Foods' Protein Pasta is Enriched with Ground Crickets (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: This trend has particular relevance to the food industry, especially for pasta, noodles, and shakes. - [Fiber-Rich Diet Noodles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/weight-loss-food): The Konjac Skinny Noodles are Weight Loss Food with Natural Ingredients (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The health and wellness industry can capitalize on the trend of weight loss foods by offering innovative and nutritious food options. - [Pre-Packaged Vegetable Noodles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegetable-noodles): The Hungry Root Offers Carb-Free Noodle Alternatives (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The food industry has an opportunity to innovate by developing more vegetable-based products to meet the growing demand for plant-based and low-carb options. - [Fermented Tea Noodles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/green-tea-extract): The Ishimaru Sanuki Cha-udon Are Made Using Green Tea Extracts (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The food and beverage industry can explore innovative ways to incorporate unconventional flavors and ingredients in their products. - [Nutritious Legume Pastas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/legume-pastas): These Single-Ingredient Pastas Offer an Alternative to Wheat-Based Pasta (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The food and beverage industry can capitalize on the growing demand for healthier pasta alternatives by offering legume-based options. - [Algae Noodle Soups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clear-chicken-soup): Kipposhi's 'Clear Chicken Soup Blue' is Made with Spirulina and Ramen (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The food and beverage industry can explore new ways to incorporate algae as an ingredient and create visually appealing products with unconventional flavors. - [Soy-Based Lasagna Sheets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/food-innovation): These Noodles Have More Protein, Fewer Carbs and Cook in 20 Minutes (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Innovations in the food industry such as soy-based pasta alternatives make it possible to cater to changing consumer demands for health and convenience. ## 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)