Pasta Perspectives: A Chefs View of the Protein Surge
March was National Nutrition Month, and one of the biggest health & wellness trends impacting foodservice in 2026 is clear: protein. It’s the top nutrient consumers say they are looking to consume, according to the annual IFIC Food & Health survey, and “High Protein” is the top diet consumers are following. Add in a strong recommendation for proteins at the top of the new USDA food pyramid, and you have a lot of indicators pointing the same direction.
But how does this trend play out on foodservice menus? We asked a few of our Barilla Brand Ambassadors what they are seeing in their operations – spanning healthcare, C&U and B&I sectors -- when it comes to health & wellness trends. What are their diners asking for, and reaching for at meal time? Spoiler alert -- all signs point to a comfort food with benefits like Barilla Protein+!
Barilla Protein+® Cellentani Elote Pasta “Protein is a very very big thing, we see and hear that quite clearly. Our guests are looking for it in real food – both animal protein and plant-based. They also have high expectations for global flavors and variety. We’ve had success with Protein+ pasta – it delivers a true pasta taste, and hits the mark as a nutritional upgrade.” -Chef Margaret Occhipinti, Lifeworks
“While we are definitely seeing the demand for more protein options, in the healthcare space we think fiber is going to be the next protein in a couple of years. While it may not ever be as sexy, the functional foods movement is doing a lot to drive interest in fiber, as are GLP-1s.” -Chef Jillian Marino, Morrison Healthcare “Students are definitely on a protein kick. Some days I think we could just put out chicken and salmon and they’d be happy with it! Plant-based proteins aren’t going away either, and not just for the vegetarians. Generally they’re looking for it to be from natural sources, not processed analogs.” -Chef Frank Turchan, University of Michigan
Adding it all up, giving guests what they want and what they perceive as healthy definitely includes protein. A mix of sources – both animal and plant-based – is likely to land well with the breadth of your customer base. Barilla Protein+ gives you the flexibility to do just that; you can promote high protein meal options in a familiar favorite pasta format, whether it’s all plant-based or just a little less meat.
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