2017 Food Trends

Good morning!

How was your week? My week has been pretty good. Just excited about all these new food trends that are happening this year. Last year, the IT thing was supposed to be Souping. I don't know about you, but I'm not exactly sure souping caught on. Maybe that was just in California, but it didn't quite blow up like it was supposed to.

Today, I'm going to tell you the lastest on the 2017 Healthy food trends. Some might be still going strong from last year while others are brand new. Enjoy!

1. Bean Pastas

• Made from bean flours

• Extremely high in protein & fiber (Fiber was a big trend last year, still so important to have plenty of fiber in your diet)

• Examples: Black Bean rotini and edamame spaghetti

• Will find these on our shelves soon.

2. Fermented Foods

• Loaded with good bacteria.

• Think probiotics

• Fermented foods help keep your gut and digestive system healthy.

• You will start to see these more at our grocery stores and at our restaurants.

• Examples: Tempeh, Pickles, Kambucha, Sauerkraut, Yogurt, & Kimchi

• The trend will be mostly with fermented vegetables.

3. Move over Potato Chips, Veggie Chips are IN!

• Veggie chips are made with just veggies, oil, and salt

• Great snack to keep near by for those 3pm cravings.

• These are also easy to make at home.

• My favorite is Brussel Sprout chips. Super easy to make too!

• You will see more bags of veggie chips on our shelves this year.

• One tip: Make sure they don't have a lot of other ingredients. Go for the brand that only has a veggie, oil, salt, and things you can pronounce. Those are going to be your healthiest choices.

4. "The Seaweed is Always Greener....."

• Seaweed is very low in calories.

• We have seen seaweed in prior years, but it will continue to make it's climb this year.

• My fave: I love a good seaweed salad!

• Very high in nutrients....another plus!

• We will see seaweed being included more and more in other food products.

5. No Surprise Here! Alternative Sugars

• This was on the list last year. Regular sugar is definitely on the decline.

• Coconut sugar and date sugar, etc. still on the rise.

• Manufactures are catching on so more products will be continuing to use less real sugar.

• The cool thing about alternative sugars is each has their own flavor so it can really add to a dish or meal.

• Real sugar is bad for the waist line, blood sugar, and heart.

6. Turmeric

• Healthy spice that has been on the rise since 2016.

• Many health benefits: anti-inflammatory, aid in flatulence, menstrual difficulties, bleeding, heart burn, headaches, etc.

• Has been found in Indian recipes, but expect to see other recipes calling for Turmeric as well.

• Look for Turmeric spiced drinks as well.

7. Plant Based Eating

• Yes, Vegan eating is still in and yes, it's still good for you.

• Benefits to Vegan eating: weight loss, a healthy heart, and longer life.

• You don't have to go all or nothing here. Part-time Vegan eating is good too!

• Vegan staples: Fruits, Veggies, Nuts, Beans, & Whole Grains.

• More and more GREAT options should be popping up this year in our grocery stores.

My work here is done! If you have any questions let me know.