Hello, Spring! The season where flowers bloom, birds sing and allergy meds fly off the shelves — but at least there’s also fun holidays to distract us. Spring holidays are a delightful mix of cultural, religious and seasonal celebrations that mark the arrival of warmer weather and the renewal of nature.

In many cultures, spring festivals like the Persian Nowruz (the Persian New Year) and the Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival (Hanami) highlight the beauty of nature’s rebirth, with vibrant gatherings centered around flowers, music and feasting. Passover, a significant Jewish holiday, commemorates the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, celebrated with Seder meals and the retelling of the story. Holi, a Hindu festival of colors, celebrates the triumph of good over evil, with people throwing colored powders and enjoying lively music and dance. But one of the most popular holidays is Easter, celebrated by Christians around the world to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, often with church services, egg hunts and festive meals. So what does that mean for plates worldwide?

Easter 2025 is bringing fresh opportunities for dietitians and retail dietitians to influence shopping habits and inspire healthier choices. As consumer trends shift toward poultry-based meals, early meal planning and digital recipe-driven shopping, health and wellness professionals have a unique chance to engage with shoppers in meaningful ways.

By leveraging these trends, retail dietitians can provide practical solutions for mindful eating, promote better-for-you alternatives and create a more personalized, health-conscious shopping experience. With the right strategies, this spring can be both a time of celebration and an opportunity to make nutrition more accessible, exciting and enjoyable for all — no matter which holiday(s) your consumers, patients or clients celebrate.

What’s trending for the table

Easter 2025 shopping trends reflect shifts in consumer behavior, emphasizing poultry products, early meal planning, intimate gatherings and digital recipe influence. Contextual commerce advertising platform Chicory surveyed over 500 American consumers and found that poultry remains the top choice for Easter and spring meals, with 51% of consumers planning to serve chicken as a main protein and 48% incorporating eggs into their meals. Demand has been lagging with the stable bird flu situation and grocers are not actively promoting eggs. Despite improvements in egg supply and inventory, retail prices have yet to reflect these trends, keeping demand low. Retail egg prices remain high, averaging $5.90 per dozen in February, up 59% from last year. So apparently, eggs are now the new luxury item — better keep them in your safe. The preference for poultry over beef, pork and seafood highlights its versatility in traditional holiday recipes. The growing interest in chicken is also supported by industry trends, with companies like Tyson Foods reporting increased profits in the poultry sector.

Alcohol consumption is another key component of spring gatherings, with 24% of consumers planning to serve drinks during Easter celebrations. Wine and beer are the most popular choices, and most shoppers prefer purchasing alcohol as part of their regular grocery trips rather than making separate liquor store trips.

Consumers are also planning their Easter meals earlier than before, with 32% beginning preparations two to three weeks in advance and 27% starting a week prior. Additionally, 60.2% of shoppers rely on online searches for meal inspiration, Chicory found. Digital recipes continue to drive grocery purchases, influencing consumer decisions significantly. A majority of shoppers make purchases immediately or within a week of discovering a new recipe online.

Dessert trends

Easter 2025 bakery trends have bold flavors and visually striking designs taking center stage, according to The Bakery Network. While hot cross buns remain a holiday staple, they’re evolving with unique flavors like tiramisu, apple crumble and rhubarb and custard. Premium ingredients, such as high-quality dried fruits and rich fillings, are elevating traditional recipes, while center-filled variations inspired by pastries are adding a modern twist.

Classic Easter flavors like cinnamon, chocolate and citrus are being infused into a variety of baked goods, including cakes, cookies and spreads. These flavors are also appearing in unconventional products such as flavored teas, gourmet popcorn and specialty chocolates, reflecting a broader trend of bakery-inspired treats across categories. Color is playing a major role in this year’s Easter offerings, with pastel hues dominating bakery displays. Ingredients like pistachio and matcha not only enhance flavor, but also contribute to the vibrant presentation, while gold accents and decorative toppings add a touch of luxury to seasonal desserts.

Consumers’ desire for sophisticated and indulgent treats is driving interest in internationally inspired confections, such as layered cakes, cream-filled pastries and specialty sweets featuring flavors like almond, saffron and honey. Hybrid creations such as brownie-biscotti mashups and tiramisu cheesecakes are blending tradition with innovation, offering unique takes on familiar desserts.

Overall confectionery trends are blending tradition with innovation, as consumers seek unique, shareable treats that elevate the holiday experience, according to OV: Confectionery Ingredients & Decorations Specialists. This year, bold flavors and fun textures are taking the spotlight, with adventurous pairings like spicy dark chocolate with chili, fruity infusions and unexpected savory-sweet combinations such as salted caramel with a toffee crunch. Texture is also a major focus, with honeycomb, fudge and micro chocolate beans enhancing sensory appeal. Alongside flavor innovations, unconventional-shaped Easter eggs are gaining popularity, featuring geometric patterns, animal-inspired designs and intricate 3D molds that add excitement to the traditional Easter lineup.

Health-conscious and plant-based options are also making waves, with an increasing demand for dairy-free, vegan-friendly confectionery. Given that an estimated 68% of the global population is lactose intolerant, brands are responding with chocolate and baked goods made from plant-based ingredients, catering to ethical and dietary preferences. Additionally, Easter-themed baked goods are expanding, incorporating flavors like lemon, lavender and almond to create artisanal treats such as hot cross buns with chocolate or fruit fillings and cupcakes decorated with pastel-colored icing and bunny sprinkles. These bakery-inspired offerings align with the growing consumer interest in homemade-style, handcrafted products.

New confectionery formats are emerging, including Easter chocolate bark, which features premium toppings like dried fruits, nuts and festive sprinkles, making it a hit among those seeking artisanal, Instagram-worthy treats. Despite these evolving trends, traditional Easter favorites like chocolate bunnies, sprinkle-covered cupcakes and classic hollow eggs remain beloved staples, ensuring a balance between nostalgia and novelty in the seasonal confectionery market.

Leveraging Easter trends to guide health-conscious shopping

Retail dietitians play a crucial role in helping consumers make informed food choices and Easter food and drink trends provide a unique opportunity to influence purchasing behaviors. The increasing preference for poultry, particularly chicken and eggs, highlights an opportunity to educate shoppers on lean protein options and their nutritional benefits. Dietitians can emphasize portion control, heart-healthy cooking methods and ways to balance proteins with fiber-rich vegetables and whole grains.

Additionally, the reliance on digital recipes for meal inspiration means retail dietitians can collaborate with grocery retailers and brands to develop nutrition-focused recipe content. This could include meal ideas that incorporate seasonal produce, emphasize protein variety and reduce reliance on processed ingredients. By aligning with the way consumers seek inspiration, dietitians can ensure shoppers have access to recipes that support their health goals while still enjoying traditional holiday flavors.

Early meal planning

Consumers are planning their Easter meals earlier than before, which presents a valuable opportunity for retail dietitians to engage with shoppers well ahead of their holiday grocery trips. By providing meal-planning resources — such as shopping lists, prep-ahead meal strategies and healthier ingredient swaps — dietitians can help consumers feel confident in their choices while ensuring their meals align with health-conscious goals.

Retail RDs can also use this trend to introduce educational initiatives, such as in-store or online meal-planning workshops. These could cover topics like how to create balanced holiday meals, ways to minimize food waste and time-saving cooking strategies that align with a nutritious diet. Additionally, with 57% of consumers making grocery purchases immediately or within a week of viewing an online recipe, retail dietitians can support shoppable recipe integrations that guide shoppers toward better-for-you ingredient selections in real-time.

Mindful alcohol consumption

With 24% of consumers planning to serve alcohol during Easter gatherings, dietitians have an opportunity to educate shoppers on mindful drinking habits. Since wine and beer are the most popular choices, retail dietitians can provide guidance on portion sizes, lower-calorie drink options and food pairings that enhance flavors while promoting balance. For example, suggesting light-bodied wines that pair well with lean proteins or lower-sugar cocktail alternatives can help consumers make informed choices without feeling deprived.

Dietitians can also highlight better-for-you alcohol selections, such as organic wines, low-alcohol beer or drinks with fewer additives. In-store signage, social media campaigns or digital content can help consumers understand how to enjoy alcoholic beverages in moderation while still savoring their Easter meals. Additionally, since 53.7% of consumers purchase alcohol as part of their regular grocery trips rather than making a separate stop, retail RDs can optimize their store layouts by placing dietitian-approved selections near complementary food items, like cheese and whole-grain crackers for balanced pairings.

Smart dessert choices

Easter bakery and confectionery trends are evolving, with bold flavors, vibrant presentations and indulgent textures at the center. From innovative hot cross buns filled with tiramisu or apple crumble to pastel-colored cakes and chocolates, the seasonal focus is on treats that are both visually appealing and rich in flavor. This provides retail dietitians with an opportunity to educate consumers on balancing indulgence with mindful eating strategies.

Rather than discouraging sweets altogether, dietitians can offer tips on portion control, healthier baking alternatives and ingredient swaps that maintain flavor while reducing added sugars and unhealthy fats. For instance, recommending nutrient-dense ingredients such as nuts, whole-grain flours or natural sweeteners like dates and honey can help consumers create treats that align with their health goals. Additionally, the rise of international-inspired confections such as layered cakes and cream-filled pastries allows dietitians to introduce alternative desserts that incorporate protein-rich dairy, fiber from nuts and seeds and spices with potential health benefits, like cinnamon and saffron.

Dietitians can also leverage the growing interest in plant-based options, as more consumers seek dairy-free and vegan-friendly treats. By guiding shoppers toward high-quality alternatives, such as dark chocolate made with coconut milk or baked goods featuring plant-based butter, retail dietitians can support dietary inclusivity while ensuring flavor and satisfaction remain a priority.

Conclusion

This year’s springtime holidays present a significant opportunity for dietitians to engage with consumers in meaningful ways. As shopping habits evolve with increased demand for poultry, early meal planning and digital recipe reliance, dietitians can play an essential role in providing guidance that aligns with both consumer interests and health-conscious choices. By leveraging data-driven insights, partnering with retailers and developing strategic content, retail dietitians can help bridge the gap between indulgence and nutrition.

From mindful drinking strategies to plant-based dessert recommendations, retail dietitians can enhance the shopping experience by making healthier options more accessible and appealing. As seasonal trends continue to blend tradition with innovation, dietitians have the opportunity to shape how consumers approach food choices, not just for Easter and other spring holidays, but for their overall long-term well-being.