Healthy Food Trends for 2015

January 25, 2015

by Cathe Friedrich

Most people like variety in their diets. Hopefully, the varieties they choose are healthy ones. Every year, nutritionists and diet experts work together to identify new food trends, what Americans will be eating more of and less of in the upcoming year. So what’s in store for 2015? Here’s what you might see on the plates of healthy eaters in 2015.

2015 Food Trends: The Veggie Scene

Kale ruled in 2014, but this year it may be unseated by two other healthy veggies – cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Cauliflower, the less colorful cousin to broccoli, is a rich source of natural chemicals with anti-cancer properties. Plus, cauliflower offers exceptional versatility, especially if you’re watching your carbs.

Pureed cauliflower is the perfect low-carb substitute for mashed potatoes and a guilt-free way to enjoy this comfort food favorite. You can even grind cauliflower in a food processor until it’s the consistency of white rice and enjoy low-carb rice. To bring out its flavor, even more, roast chunks of cauliflower until they’re golden brown and caramelized and then enjoy their natural, low-carb sweetness.

In the same family as cauliflower are Brussels sprouts. Like cauliflower, this rather polarizing veggie is a rich source of sulfur compounds that fight cancer. Plus, each serving of Brussels sprouts supplies more than a day’s requirement for vitamin K and vitamin C. If you don’t like the flavor of Brussels sprouts, dress them up with garlic butter or a Dijon mustard sauce and reap their many health benefits.

2015 Food Trends: Beyond Quinoa

Quinoa was the whole grain food of the year in 2014, though it’s really a seed. This year quinoa will have competition from other ancient grains, with amaranth topping the list. Amaranth, another seed that’s often labeled as a grain, was a staple in the Aztec diet. Hence, it’s referred to as an ancient grain, a grain that exists in its unaltered state.

So what’s to love about amaranth? Higher in protein than most whole grain foods, it’s a good source of iron. Wake up to amaranth in the morning. It makes a tasty breakfast cereal when you tire of oatmeal. To prepare it, add a cup of amaranth to 4 cups of boiling water. Turn the heat down and let it simmer for 25 or 30 minutes.

Like quinoa, amaranth is a gluten-free food. With gluten-free diets being so popular, it’s not surprising that people are gravitating towards ancient grains, which are high in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals but contain no gluten.

2015 Food Trends: Another “Green”: Matcha Tea

Brussels sprouts aren’t the only green, healthy thing you’ll see more of in 2015. You’re probably familiar with antioxidant-rich green tea but less familiar with another growing trend in the tea world – matcha. Matcha, traditionally from Japan, is made by grinding shade-grown, high-quality tea leaves into a fine powder. Traditionally used in Japanese green tea ceremonies, matcha contains a higher concentration of antioxidants than traditional green tea because you consume the whole leaf.

How can you enjoy the health benefits? Expect to see people making matcha lattes and even adding the powder to soups and smoothies for greater antioxidant power. Starbucks jumped on board a while back by placing its own version of a matcha latte onto its menu. Chefs are even adding it to creations like cupcakes and matcha ice cream is a favorite among people in Japan. Keep a bag of matcha on hand and use it creatively to add flavor to your favorite foods.

Matcha has another benefit – it has a calming effect, thanks to an ingredient in high-quality green tea called theanine. How does it help you unwind? Theanine activates brain waves called alpha waves that promote a relaxed state of alertness. It has less caffeine than coffee (35-40 milligrams), making it ideal when you don’t want that hyped-up feeling.

2015 Food Trends: Less Red Meat

Red meat consumption has been gradually declining over the past few years and it’s unlikely this trend will slow in 2015. Predictions are that people will turn more to poultry and seafood to supply their protein needs. Don’t underestimate the impact plant protein will have on the shopping and eating habits of consumers.

With more restaurants adding tofu to the menu and awareness that you can protein from plant sources like nuts, legumes, and whole grains, people are ready to titillate their taste buds in novel ways. Plant protein fits the bill and it has the fiber animal protein lacks. Expect to see the meatless Monday trend maintaining or even gaining momentum. Although only about 4% of Americans are strict vegetarians, almost half eat at least one vegetarian meal weekly.

Despite a movement towards more plant-based protein, more people than ever are concerned about getting enough protein in their diet. Fortunately, they have lots of options.

2015 Food Trends: More Focus on Healthy Carbs

According to Nutraceuticals World, health-conscious consumers are increasingly replacing refined carbohydrates from sources like breakfast cereal with healthier carbs like unprocessed grains. Any movement away from processed carbohydrates is a wise one. Hopefully, there will be a movement towards more vegetables as well. Making healthy carb choices that are rich in fiber can help with weight control and may improve how your body handles glucose. With type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance being so common, that can only be a positive.

2015 Food Trends: The Gluten-Free Trend

The majority of nutrition experts believe the gluten-free trend will continue in 2015 and beyond. Although people with celiac disease have to follow a diet free of gluten to avoid intestinal inflammation and damage, the majority of gluten-free followers are doing it because they think it will help them lose weight or make them feel better. There’s not a lot of science to support this idea at this point, but there are people who claim they feel better on a gluten-free diet. Hopefully, science will give us more answers as to the impact gluten has on people who don’t have celiac disease.

The Bottom Line?

Trends in diet and eating habits come and go. If you’re confused by it all, stick with eating a diet that emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods without added sugar and you can’t go wrong. Who knew it could be that simple?

References:

The Washington Post. “Healthful Foods You Can Expect to See More of in 2015” January 7, 2015.

Food Navigator-USA. “Consumers Will Eat More Seeds and Less Meat in 2015, Dieticians Predict”

U.S. News Health. “6 Food Trends You Need to Know About for 2015”

National Library of Medicine. “Green Tea”

Nutraceuticals World. “Key Trends in Functional Foods & Beverages for 2015”

IFT. “Plants Are the New Protein”

Medical News Today. “Nutritional Breakdown of Brussels Sprouts”

PR Newswire. “15 Top Diet Trends For 2015”