Grocery stores in the U.S. throw out 43 billion pounds of food every single year because of spoilage or products that have surpassed their sell-by dates. That’s an immense amount of waste, and it doesn’t include food thrown out by restaurants and consumers.

Consumers increasingly prefer tart and tangy taste sensations, which explains why sugary drinks and sodas are losing shelf space to trending sour flavors in beverage aisles. Sour foods are often associated with various health benefits, which is a major factor driving the trend.

Boosting nutrition in RTD beverages by adding protein is also on the rise, with the protein beverage market expected to grow 5.25% over the next few years. Combining both trends could be a boon for food and beverage manufacturers that want to gain greater market share, but there are major formulation challenges that need to be overcome.

Yogurt has long been a go-to ingredient for many manufacturers, and the consumption of yogurt has consistently grown year over year. In 2017, the market topped $8.8 billion and is expected to reach $9.8 billion by 2022.

There are multiple forms of whey protein ingredients on the market, each appealing to a variety of food manufacturers and consumer groups for their unique applications.

Just as there are many forms of whey protein, there are different methods used to manufacture the products. While the vast majority of whey protein originates from cow’s milk, the process it goes through to get to its final concentrate form can vary from one manufacturer to the next.

Fresh yogurt is a popular ingredient for health-conscious consumers, and sales are expected to continue climbing for the foreseeable future. But many food manufacturers find it challenging to incorporate yogurt into their formulations because it requires a specific type of permit, has a relatively short shelf life, and has risks of contamination that other products don’t.

For years, medical professionals promoted a low-fat diet as a positive lifestyle choice. Attitudes have shifted among professionals and consumers alike in recent years, and the distinction between healthy and bad-for-you fats is being more widely recognized.

The use of low-fat and fat-free products has seen a slow decline for the past five years and is expected to continue that trajectory. Consumer trends have shifted toward overall health benefits that result from higher protein contents and natural ingredients.

Protein drinks aren’t just for bodybuilders and fitness fanatics anymore. In fact, a study by McMaster University showed that the physical strength of senior citizens can be greatly improved by whey protein and other ingredients found in ready-to-drink (RTD) protein beverages.

Americans of all ages and fitness levels are becoming more interested in promoting health and wellness, and a clean, natural beverage can be a convenient way to provide a nutritional boost to a healthy diet. However, consumers are looking for more options than the typical protein “shakes” of the past. Increasingly, the market is demanding clear beverages to satiate thirst while providing health benefits, and beverage makers are capitalizing on the power of protein.

More than half of all U.S. consumers say they consider protein content when buying food for their households. The form of protein they choose varies widely, from meat, cheese and yogurt, to protein concentrates used in sports beverages, supplements and snack bars.

One of the fastest growing segments among protein ingredients is the plant protein market. Despite its growth, however, plant proteins fall short of their more traditional counterpart, whey protein, when it comes to overall nutrition, functionality and digestibility.

Some food trends have come and gone while others have become mainstream. 2019 will be an exciting year for the food and beverage industry, and consumers will reap the benefits with healthier, more natural formulations that offer unique flavor profiles. While some food trends may not seem revolutionary or new, they have continued to evolve from previous years and will greatly influence the food industry as we move into 2019.

Here’s a look forward at the 2019 food and beverage trends to help food manufacturers position themselves for success in the coming year and beyond.