Food is a way for people to share interests, express creativity in cooking, gather and bond with family and friends, and reward themselves. We even see social media filled with images of food and meals. It’s easy to see that food is a major part of human life. Bottom line, people love to eat and they are always looking for great new food ideas.
Nevertheless, food trends constantly evolve. The year of 2015 has quite a few trends that we are going to be seeing more of. Many of them actually are directed towards a more health-conscious way of eating. Here are a few 2015 food trends you’ll be seeing around your city and online (especially on Pinterest):
Carb Recipes Going Paleo: Paleo itself is already growing in popularity and in of itself is going to be huge this year. However, the real trend is how many chefs and at-home foodies are replacing very traditional carb recipes with paleo recipe options. This is going to be really helpful for people who want to eat paleo but have those carby comfort foods they miss.
Matcha Lattes and Snacks: 2013 and 2014 were both big years for tea, especially green tea. Green tea was toted for everything from energizing the body to promoting weight loss. 2015 is going to be big for tea but more specifically for Matcha Green Tea Powder, green tea’s powerful big brother. Matcha lattes and smoothies are going to be hugely popular and the new latte hot in many coffee shops. Matcha being used in recipes, especially baking, is another trend we are going to be seeing.
Gluten-Free Continuing Its Rampage: Gluten-free and wheat-free diets are going to continue to be popular, even among those who are necessarily gluten-sensitive. A huge number of companies and restaurants are offering gluten-free alternatives and even small town grocery stores now have dedicated gluten-free sections. Gluten-free recipes are also all the rage now because the abundance of gluten-free ingredients in stores makes it easier for you to cook and meal prep at home.
Return of Natural and Animal Fats: The age of the fear of fat may be over. I’m not talking about trans-fat or chemical fats, but natural fats. Those who love fat will rejoice this year! “Healthy” fats are going to be making a strong comeback this year. Butter, ghee, animal fats, etc will all be more popular in the American diet. Check out this article for more info.
Antibiotic-Free, Grass-Fed Meats: As more and more dirt comes out on the atrocity of typical factory farmed meats, many people are taking notice and wanting a change. This year people will be demanding grocery stores provide not only grass-fed meats but also those who raise their animals more humanely and without antibiotics and growth hormones.
GMO-Free and Organic Vegetables and Fruits: Consumers will be demanding Genetically Modified Organism-Free and organic groceries more than ever this year. Not only are grocery stores upping their selections but farmer’s markets and privately-owned organic stores are becoming hugely popular. Self-sufficiency is becoming more accepted which means people growing their own organic vegetables is also going to be popular.
Fermented Foods: As cultures and their dishes continue to meld and mix many Americans are realizing how delicious and healthy this overseas-originate dishes are. Sauerkraut, kim-chi, kombucha, pickles things and other fermented foods are going to become more popular. Not only are there unique in flavor and texture but also offer health benefits.
Smoked Everything: Not many people dislike the taste of smoked foods. Smoked meats and fish aren’t going to be the only popular items in 2015. Condiments, sauces, vegetables and even snacks like chips and dip are going to be coming in smoked flavors. At-home smoking will be another hobby that is going to be a hot trend this year.
Craft Beers and Other Beverages: Craft beers and microbrews are becoming the “in” alcoholic beverage, especially for 20 and 30 something’s. Other craft beverages like root beers, ginger ales and colas made from natural cane sugar and other less processed/chemicalized ingredients are also going to be really big. Pepsi has already developed their own cane sugar cola and Coke’s new CokeLife is naturally sweetened. People want to be able to create their own beverages and be sure about what the ingredients are.
Cauliflower as a Main Dish: Last year kale was the vegetable in the spotlight. We saw kale-based dishes, kale chips, kale smoothies and more. Kale is still popular but cauliflower is going to be the poster child vegetable in 2015. One of the main reasons is that it can be cooked to replace rice and mashed potatoes, two American staples when it comes to main side dishes…but with far less carbs and tons of fiber.
2015 is going to be an exciting years for foodies and chefs alike. The move towards healthy foods and the growing interest of knowing where our food comes from it something to really celebrate. Hopefully 2016 will continue with this mindset health and food awareness.
Tip: You have to know what works for you. Just because something is a trend, doesn’t mean you should quit the way of eating that has been working for you. Don’t just jump on a bandwagon…do your research. There are always new trends and programs that claim benefits and results…and they change every year. Glean what you can that will actually benefit you and throw the rest away.
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