Mintel has just released its “2018 Summer Food and Drink Trends” highlighting four to watch out for this summer. The first is very important for the summer months: barbecue, more specifically, vegan barbecue. Gone are the days when hosts struggle to accommodate their plant-based friends or vegans and vegetarians leave a summer barbecue hungry.

The options now are such that many meat eaters may not even realize the difference between the meat and plant-based alternatives. Not only that, but your barbecue guests might be less willing to indulge in your meaty fare like they used to.

Mintel reports that 33% of U.S. consumers intend to buy more plant-based products in the next year, and this number is even higher among millennials at 37%. Additionally, 34% of meat eaters in Canada acknowledge the need to moderate meat consumption because of health concerns.

Cooling down in the summer with ice cream is nothing new but the options certainly are, and Mintel reports that consumers are eager to try low-sugar, low-calorie, high-protein, dairy-free options that are at the same time indulgent, but healthier.

When it comes to snacking on chips, reports Mintel, better-for-you is not necessarily top of mind, but flavor is. They note that 36% of U.S. consumers say they would buy more chips if there are new flavors to try out.

Finally, consumers want soft drink that are low sugar, low calorie, but flavor-packed. This is highlighted by the huge surge in sales of flavored sparkling water beverages. Mintel notes that 36% of U.S. consumer between the ages of 24 and 34 have consumed flavored sparkling water in the past three months. Beyond that, consumers want to better monitor their sugar intake and want manufacturers to help consumers better understand the sugar content in their beverages as well as to reduce the sugar in their products altogether.