Sports & Nutrition Packaging Trends for 2023

Chris Irby • March 15, 2023

4 Trends in Sports Nutrition Packaging You Can Expect to See in 2023

Athletic woman comparing a tray of protein food to a plastic jar of protein powder.

We may be in the tail-end of the pandemic, but its impact on the sports nutrition industry is still quite evident. Consumers continue to place an emphasis on self care, and this includes a passion for health and fitness that shows no sign of slowing.

That's why the top sports and nutrition brands are placing more emphasis than ever on their packaging. At a bare minimum, sports & nutrition packaging need to be tamper-resistant to preserve the quality of its contents. It should also be clearly labeled so consumers know exactly what they're buying. Beyond this, packaging needs to showcase the product and the brand, setting it apart from the other competitors on the shelf.

4 Sports & Nutrition Packaging Trends for 2023

Here are some sports nutrition packaging trends you can expect to see in the coming year:

Gender Neutrality

Traditionally, the sports nutrition market has been dominated by male athletes. However, this consumer base has expanded considerably over the past few years to include not just female athletes, but non-athletes of both genders who tend to place less emphasis on "gettin' swole" and more focus on weight management and holistic health.

Sports and nutrition packaging continues to shift to reflect this new emphasis, moving from dark colors and EXTREME! imagery to gender-neutral palettes and branding designed to highlight overall health benefits. While there will still be products specifically geared towards men and women, you can expect to see more products moving to serve both.

Sustainability

Eco-friendliness has gone from being a pain point to a selling point for many sports nutrition brands, and that goes for packaging as well as product. A recent survey of millennials showed that 75% are eco-conscious to the point of basing their buying habits to favor environmentally friendly products. In fact, the vast majority say that they're willing to pay more for eco-friendly options.

Back of Packaging

Many sports nutrition manufacturers pay little attention to their back packaging, simply using it as a venue to dump ingredient lists and nutritional values. However, more and more are coming to see it as valuable real estate for promoting their business and increasing interest in it. In 2023, you can expect to see more elaborate back of packaging as brands use it to highlight advantages and sources of their product, or simply regale consumers with a history of the business, a list of inspirations, or a set of driving principles.

Large group of fit and active people doing exercise in nature, stretching.

Hand-Drawn Imagery

Bright and colorful packaging is nothing new in the sports nutrition industry. It attracts customers while helping them select between flavors or varieties. As an extension of this trend, several brands are moving towards brightly-colored, less-refined art styles (such as doodles) on their labels to give their product an image that's more appealing and fun.

PET Plastic for Sports & Nutrition Packaging

If you're in the market for sports nutrition packaging that offers functionality, sustainability, and shelf appeal, Plascene has a wide selection of recyclable PET plastic jars and bottles to set your packaging apart from the competition.