With the New Year comes new beginnings and a fresh outlook. The same is true in the food industry. As old fad foods fade, there are new products and trends that appear. Some fads in the past years include coconut oil, kale everything, Sriracha sauce, bone-broths, and specialty waters. As a cancer survivor, you may benefit from new twists on foods and new flavors at the market and cafes. What are the new food trends that you may see in 2017?
1. More “ready to heat” foods may appear in grocery stores and restaurants. Let someone else do the difficult food prep work on your entrees or side dishes. Or, save time by buying a dish that you can just warm up and enjoy! Some of these options may be fresh from the farm or have fewer preservatives than past pre-prepared foods.
2. Expect to see vegetables with a twist. Look for vegetables made into more foods like pastas, chips, bars, and drinks.
3. Create less waste with food recycling. Parts of food that may traditionally be discarded are being included in new food options. Vegetable pulp, stems, skins, and rinds are repurposed into chips, rice, pickles, and snack bars. These parts of fruits and veggies include nutrients too! Plus, food recycling helps save money.
4. You may see turmeric used in more creative ways. Turmeric helps decrease inflammation which is thought to be a risk factor for cancer.
5. Make beverages with a punch. Add real ingredients from the kitchen to your beverage instead of unknown ingredients at the factory. Your taste buds will be tickled with fresh-squeezed juices and specialty teas mixed with blended spices in place of a dull sodas or powdered drink.
6. Global foods have arrived! With the melting pot of America comes diverse culinary tastes and dishes. Many of these dishes use healthy spices and cooking methods. If traditional food flavors don’t satisfy you, try some new exotic tastes.
7. Vegetarian options will increase. More creative uses of vegetables and grains to replace meats usually contain less saturated fat and add more fiber and vitamins to your plate. Vegetarian options are often less expensive, too.
8. Online food ordering options will increase as well. More stores will offer to shop for you and complete your grocery list. You can pick up your packed order at the store or have it shipped to your address. Meal delivery services are growing too with more personalized choices and dietary restrictions honored. Avoid the crowds at the grocery store, especially if you don’t feel your best.
9. The Community garden trends will remain strong. The farm-to-table movement has travelled into neighborhoods, supper-clubs, and meal-sharing initiatives. “Meal-sharing” is a new trend where a person can sign up to cook with another person or to just be a guest at a dinner.
10. Cooking classes for people with cancer and their caregivers are more popular than ever. Local organizations offer special food preparation classes. These classes often teach food safety, basic cooking skills, and healthy food suggestions. By learning to cook at home, you can save money but keep the flavor and nutrients!
References
Consumer Affairs: “Whole Foods Predicts These Foods Will Be trending in 2017“
Food Business News: “Ten Cutting-edge Food Trends for 2017“
The Food Institute: “What Food Experts Forecast Will Be Trending in 2017“
The Huffington Post: “The 17 Food Trends You’ll Probably Be Seeing A Lot of in 2017“
