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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has offered their predictions for the hottest food trends of 2019. Time will tell if they are true lasting trends or just trendy fads that will come and go.
Meat minus animals – Plant based meat-substitutes are becoming ever more available and popular both in supermarkets and on restaurant menus. The global campaign to “go vegetarian” is the most powerful influencer for this trend in addition to the benefits of a low-fat, low-cholesterol protein and the ability to produce a meat-like texture. Soy-based tofu, miso, natto and seitan are becoming more mainstream with consumers. Mycoprotein, made from a thread-like fungi, is newer to the meat substitute scene but gaining market share with brands like Quorn. The ultimate entry into the meat arena may be the commercialization of cultured or lab-grown meat, which could hit the market in 2019.
Crops without soil — Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil in a mineral-rich water solution. This type of farm can be set up anywhere and uses no pesticides, less water and less space than traditional farms. Plants can be grown in cities, on rooftops or even inside supermarket gardens where customers pick their own produce. Aeroponic systems grow plants in a nutrient-laden mist on a soilless growing medium such as coconut husk fibers. These systems allow for more locally grown produce and are an option as more farms in the US are sold and the land is used for other purposes.
Everything you drink offers a health benefit – Botanical ingredients – coriander, licorice, citrus, turmeric, guarana, chamomile – are appearing in everything from gin to coffee to fruit drinks to offer consumers the health-enhancing expectations they want from beverages. Botanicals are plant-derived ingredients that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS). Botanical-infused drinks are part of the be-healthy-stay-healthy lifestyle where consumers feel functional beverages should be part of their daily routine.
Cannabis cuisine – Cannabidiol (CBD) infused foods and beverages will be entering the market in 2019 in beer, wine, coffee, chocolate, soups and snacks. CBD is a cannabis compound that does not make a person “stoned” but may offer health benefits –reduced anxiety, better sleep, pain relief, and inflammation reduction. In states where recreational cannabis is legal both CBD and THC-infused foods and beverages will expand.
Let someone else do the cooking – With busy lives and less cooking skills people want help getting meals on the table. Today more money is spent on food prepared outside the home than food made at home. Semi-prepared and convenience choices drove many choices in 2018 and the trend continues. Pre-seasoned, pre-cut, and precooked drove 50% of the growth in fresh food departments in the supermarket. Many chains are highlighting weekly recipes and grouping all ingredients in one place to make preparation easier.
Smart packaging to keep foods safe – Biosensors to help identify pathogens or signal product freshness will be increasingly used in packaging. Smartphones will connect with labels to provide allergen information, product origin and even proper recycle package disposal.
Sustainability and health assurances – Consumers are increasingly demanding that the brands they purchase provide assurance about why the food is healthy and that the company has made an effort to support sustainable manufacturing practices.
We will have to wait till 2020 to see if these predicted trends influenced the food landscape.
© NRH Nutrition Consultants, Inc.
Jo-Ann Heslin, MA, RD, CDN is a registered dietitian and the author of 30 books. Available as eBooks from iTunes and Kindle/Amazon:
Diabetes Counter – the most up-to-date information on managing diabetes
Calorie Counter – a weight loss guide that won’t let you down
Protein Counter – put the latest protein recommendations to work for you
Healthy Wholefoods Counter – planet-friendly eating made easy
Complete Food Counter – food counts and nutrition information at your fingertips
Fat and Cholesterol Counter – newest approach to heart-healthy eating
Available in print from Gallery Books:
Most Complete Food Counter, 3rd Ed.
Your Complete Food Counter App: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/your-complete-food-counter/id444558777?mt=8
For more information on Jo-Ann and her books, go to: www.TheNutritionExperts.com