Gut-Friendly Meals, Plant-Based Milk: UAE Customers Actively Seek Out Healthy Food

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

As consumers across the UAE become more health-conscious, demand for gut-friendly, plant-based food is gaining momentum, with exhibitors at Gulfood reporting a clear shift in what shoppers are looking for - clean labels, digestive comfort and convenient nutrition.

For years, Guinness World Record Holder and Food Innovator Heather Mills struggled with Lyme's disease that which caused severe digestive challenges and nearly resulted in major surgery. Determined to find a solution, she spent years studying the gut and testing thousands of food substances, ultimately identifying FODMAPs (Fermentable, Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols) as a key trigger for digestive discomfort.

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She unveiled No Bloat, her latest range of low-FODMAP, plant-based meals at Gulfood and described the response as overwhelming.“I'm humbled to say it's been phenomenal,” she said.“Up to 80 per cent of people globally suffer from bloating or gut reactions at some point. When you start receiving feedback on the improvements people are experiencing, it really hits home - people needed this.”

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No Bloat meals are 100 per cent low-FODMAP, microdosed to precise tolerances and scientifically validated by Monash University. Freeze-dried to preserve nutrients without additives, the meals are ready in eight minutes by simply adding hot water.

“This is about offering healthy 'quick food',” Mills said.“People are busier than ever, but they don't want to compromise on nutrients or comfort. We're seeing huge interest from travellers, hospitals, hikers and even the military.”

Mills said Gulfood has also been key to expanding regional access.“We very much hope No Bloat will be appearing in UAE stores soon. One of our priorities here is setting up local distribution,” she added.

Plant-based milk, reimagined

A similar trend is emerging in the plant-based milk category, according to Katre Kõvask, CEO of Estonian brand Yook Oat Milk, which is exhibiting at the Trade Estonia pavilion.

“Many people haven't realised they're intolerant and they've just been suffering,” Kõvask said.“The switch to plant-based has been difficult because the products haven't been good enough. We're trying to make that switch easier.”

Unlike conventional oat milk, Yook uses whole-grain oats, milled and enzymed in-house at its Nordic-based factory. Kõvask said the brand's owners invested over 20 million euros in setting up the factory, which produces what they claim is one of the cleanest plant-based milks on the market.“We're the only oat milk with just one gram of sugar per 100 millilitres,” she said.“Most oat milks start at 3.5 grams.”

Yook has also developed fermented oat-based yogurts using vegan cultures.“They're gut-friendly and have about half the sugar of traditional dairy products,” she said.

With plant-based options now focused on taste, digestion and functionality, exhibitors say UAE consumers are no longer just experimenting - they are actively seeking healthier, smarter food choices that fit modern lifestyles.

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