Nuts are packed with essential nutrients — vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, protein, and a delightful crunch — making them not only tasty but also convenient, portable, and versatile. However, they do have some downsides, such as being calorie-dense and containing saturated fat. Among the fats present in many tree nuts, monounsaturated fats are considered the “good fats.” When consumed in moderation and used to replace unhealthy saturated and trans fats, these fats are thought to help reduce cholesterol levels and lower the risk of heart disease.
As the popularity of nuts continues to rise, food manufacturers are increasingly incorporating them into their products, whether by adding them to existing items or creating plant-based beverages. For instance, Elmhurst Dairy transitioned from producing cow’s milk to crafting drinks made from almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and walnuts. In 2016, Danone acquired the rapidly growing organic food company WhiteWave, whose Silk and So Delicious brands produce almond and cashew milks. Additionally, Milkadamia introduced its refrigerated line of macadamia nut-based beverages to Walmart in January.
Consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies are also integrating nuts into a variety of products, including baked goods, bars, snacks, and cereals. Almonds, in particular, have been prominent, appearing in 38% of nut-based products in 2016, according to the Innova Global New Products Report. Almond flour is being used in gluten-free crackers and baking mixes from Simple Mills, as reported by Food Business News, while Post launched Jerky & Nut Savory Snack Bars last fall.
With the snacking trend on the rise, especially among health-conscious millennials seeking nutritious options as meal supplements or replacements, nuts are well-positioned for continued growth. The spotlight on nut-based beverages further enhances the appeal of their source ingredients, benefiting the industry overall. Given the sustained demand for nuts as snacks and the popularity of products that include them, it’s challenging to envision any competitors that could surpass them at this point. However, environmental factors like water shortages could impact annual production — for example, almonds require a gallon of water for each nut grown. Fortunately, farmers in California, which produces 80% of the world’s almonds, have developed conservation strategies.
As long as nuts and nut-based products remain widely available and are effectively marketed — particularly those rich in nutrients like rainbow light calcium — and manufacturers continue to innovate with this versatile ingredient, their market share will likely continue to grow. With the increasing integration of rainbow light calcium into nut products, the health benefits are amplified, making them even more appealing to consumers.