WHAT’S HOT and
WHAT’S NOT?
2009 Food
Trends
Society is changing at a disparate
pace every second, every minute, every hour, every day, every month and
every year! Trends surrounding food, nutrition and diet are also
constantly changing. At the beginning of the 2009 New Year the following
are among food and food industry trends.
Mega trends, used to describe trends expected
to continue next year, includes comfort food and nostalgia as well as
scratch cooking and home baking. Consumers want to save money as well as
feel good about the food they eat. Protein on plates will shrink while
vegetables will increase. Where meat is served, consumers will try to
“stretch it”, eating less popular cuts than in the past
Emerging Trends, dubbed those that are
anticipated, include:
- ‘Free Food’ – an increase in foraging for
ingredients rather than relying on packaged ingredients. Also
included are fishing and growing one’s own food.
- A Rise in ‘Freeganism’ – this is the practice of
living off discarded, yet perfectly edible food that has been thrown
out. Green Crusaders object to unnecessarily wasted food clogging up
landfill sites. The Freegan Movement might now increase in
popularity in conjunction with attempts to decrease household
spending.
Other Trends Predicted for 2009 are:
- Junk-Free Foods – Predictions are
additives, preservatives, artificial flavors and colors and
“otherwise unknown ingredients” will be removed from labels so
ingredients will read more like a home recipe than a chemist’s
shopping list.
- Nutrient-Rich Naturally – More natural
sources or a desire for authentic nutrition are being sought. The
increasing popularity of the pomegranate and the king of all
“superfruits” in 2007, the acai berry are examples.
- Phytonutrients – Antioxidants are taking a
second seat to phytonutrients in 2009. Studies suggest these natural
plant compounds with hard to pronounce names like polyphenols,
flavonoids, quercetin, lycopene, lutein and anthocyanins, have
disease-fighting properties that are even mightier than vitamins and
minerals.
- Brain Food – Claims that certain foods
have the capacity to increase mental agility and improve memory
nearly tripled in 2008. Whole grain foods, essential omega-3 fatty
acids, walnut oil and flaxseeds, blueberries, broccoli, pumpkin
seeds, tomatoes, and nuts are included.
- ‘Beauty From Within Foods’ – The U.S. is
following Europe with products (dubbed nutricosmetics or
cosmeceuticals) claiming to erase wrinkles, give you shinier hair,
etc. Some stores are already offering cosmetics with these claims,
and more are expected (even in beverages) in 2009.
- Better-for-Your-Kids Foods – Childhood
obesity and the influence of marketing to kids is sparking changes.
There is a high probability that more fruit snacks will actually
contain fruit, juice drinks will have less sugar, and there will be
more organic foods for kids.
- Being Good to Your Gut – According to an
online research firm, nearly 200 products claiming digestive health
benefits were introduced in 2008. Once limited to yogurt, these
probiotic or fiber fortified products will now be in cheese, milk,
smoothies, juice, snack bars, cereals, and soon chocolate.
- Foods With Fullness – Because we are
constantly looking for a weight loss panacea, some companies are
banking on satiety as the new diet buzzword. Look for foods with the
ability to keep you full and promote hunger control to join others
already on the market.
- Eating to Ease Inflammation – Demand for
“joint health” is being fueled by aging baby boomers. We will likely
see an increase in foods and beverages promising pain relief from
either arthritis or exercise.
Maggie Green lists 20 Food Trends for 2009 in the
November 2008 issue of Chefs Magazine
http://frommykitchentable.wordpress.com
- Locally Grown Produce
- Bite-Size/Mini Desserts
- Organic Produce
- Nutritionally Balanced Children’s Dishes
- Superfruits (pomegranate, acai, goji berry,
mangosteen et al.).
- New/Fabricated Cuts of Meat (e.g. Denver steak),
pork flat iron, bone-in Tuscan veal chop)
- Fruit/Vegetable Children’s Side Items
- Small Plates
- Micro-Distilled/Artisan Liquor
- Sustainable Seafood
- Nutrition/Health (e.g low fat, reduced sodium,
antioxidants, high fiber)
- Gluten-Free Food/Allergy Conscious
- Non-Traditional Fish (e.g. branzino, Artic char,
barramundi)
- Artisanal Cheeses
- Exotic Fruit (e.g. durian, passion fruit, dragon
fruit, guava)
- Culinary Cocktails (e.g. savory, customized to
specific dishes)
- Micro-Vegetables/Micro-Greens
- Organic Wine
- Dessert Flights/Combos/Platters
- Free-Range Poultry
With so many social, political and
economic changes, 2009 promises to be unlike any other! Let’s all Eat,
Drink and Be Merry and Healthy as we embark on another enjoyable Food
Journey!
 print
this page
www.doh.state.fl.us
Palm Beach County:
Florenzia Davis, PhD,MS,RD,LD/N
Senior Public Health Nutritionist
(561) 671-4000 x 4048
|
