Well here we are… HELLO 2015! Last year, Australian bush foods, gluten-free products, the Paleo diet, cauliflower, local foods, food-based supplements and fermented foods were all the rage. Although these trends will kick on, here are a few of my healthy food predictions for 2015:
- Mindful Eating – This year, I believe (and hope) people will be mastering the art of this guilt-free, non-dieting approach to food.
- Plant-based diets – Thanks to celebrity endorsements, widely-reported health benefits and a greater availability of vegan foods, the meat and dairy-free diet has gone mainstream. I believe veganism and vegetarianism will be even more popular in 2015.
- Artisan producers – For those that choose NOT to adopt a trendy plant-based diet, I believe there will be plenty of choice if you’re looking for some gourmet meaty treats! Artisan producers offer ethically-raised, pasture fed, local and sustainable produce. Move over kale smoothies… venison salami is in the house!
- Sprouted breads –The sprouted grain process involves soaking the grains in water until they begin to grow a sprout. This encourages the production of natural enzymes, lowers the starch level (and thus lowers the glycaemic load), and increases the nutrient bio-availability. Basically, nutrients are absorbed immediately into the body, and are not lost in the digestive process. Sprouted breads will gain more attention in 2015.
- Bone Broth – Mineral-rich bone broth, the simplest meat-and-vegetable stock, is officially the soup craze du jour. Bone broth has been super popular in the Paleo world for years, but it’s now gaining mainstream popularity.
- Healthy fast food options – McDonald’s has opened a hipster cafe called The Corner in the inner-city Sydney suburb of Camperdown. Multinationals such as McDonalds recognise that people are seeking quinoa salads, cold-pressed coffee and porridge with poached pear…. instead of fries, burgers and coke. Fast food doesn’t have to be rubbish, and chains such as Zambrero, Grill’d, Paleo Café, Yummia and Nutrition Station will be very popular!
- Butter – Saturated fats are certainly making a comeback, and foods such as grass-fed, pasture-raised, cultured butter will be in hot demand. I believe there will be a lot more nutrition-seekers than calorie-counters in 2015.
- Cabbage and Watercress – Cruciferous vegetables are all the rage, and for good reason… their health benefits are wide-ranging. In 2013 kale was in the spotlight, in 2014 it was cauliflower, and in 2015 I believe good old cabbage and watercress will be trending!
- Fermented foods and drinks – these were big in 2014, but I believe foods such as Labna, Pickles, Kimchi and Sauerkraut; and drinks such as Kefir and Kombucha will be even bigger in 2015. This is a health trend I’m very excited to see gaining such mainstream momentum!
- Matcha Tea – Haven’t heard of Matcha tea yet? You will. Matcha tea is the dried leaves of green tea ground into a powder. Match is powerful stuff! You can expect to see lots of Matcha available in 2015.
I hope you all have a healthy, happy and prosperous 2015!
Until next time, Stacey
Stacey Curcio N.D 