Food Technology magazine has compiled the top food trends for 2015. 

Diet Watching

Packaged Facts data shows that over half of adults are watching their diets:

66 percent for general health reasons

55 percent to lose weight

40 percent to limit fat, sugar, sodium

38 percent to prevent future medical issues

37 percent to maintain weight

22 percent to treat a current medical condition

10 percent for a real or perceived food allergy or intolerance

Fresh And Refrigerated Foods 

Technomic, Food Marketing Institute and Manufacturing Solutions International reports that nearly nine in 10 adults feel that fresh foods are healthier, 80 percent feel that they are tastier, and 78 percent of consumers are making a strong effort to eat more fresh versus processed foods. Shoppers are buying more fresh ingredients, up 10 percent versus just three years ago.

Cook-Less Meals

More than a quarter of consumers say they are preparing more meals in less than 20 minutes than they did five years ago, reports Food Marketing Institute. One-pot meals were up 29 percent, and meals using marinated meats and poultry were up 21 percent. Packaged meals and kits, oven baking, and take-and-bake products are all popular amongst consumers.

Reasonable Snacking

The average number of in-between-meal snacks has grown from two per person per day in 2010 to almost three in 2014, and consumers are snacking throughout the whole day. Health is an important snack factor for half of adults. Refrigerated juices, smoothies, yogurt, nutrition bars, trail mixes, specialty nut butters and popcorn were among the fastest growing healthy snacks in 2013.

Whole Food Nutrition

In 2014, fiber/whole grain were the most sought after food ingredients, according to the International Food Information Council. Non-wheat flours - peanut, millet, barley, and rice - were among the hot culinary ingredients in 2015, followed by ethnic flours like fufu, teff and cassava. More than one third of the best-selling new foods/beverages in 2013 carried a real fruit or fruit health benefits claim, and 14 percent of the best-sellers touted a vegetable health benefit, according to Information Resources.

Discovering New Cuisines

More sophisticated food experiences characterized by unique flavors and culinary narratives is another trend on the rise. Gourmet products such as oils, cheeses, and baked goods are purchased by more than 40 percent. Pickling, fermenting, fire-roasting, and smoking are all hot food preparation trends for 2015, as well as global flavors like harissa, aji, gochujang, yuzu, togarashi, peri peri, and zaatar, according to Datassential.

Rethinking Natural

In 2014, 29 percent of consumers bought more local foods and beverages, 28 percent bought more organic products, 25 percent more natural foods, and 23 percent more non-GMO offerings, according to The Hartman Group.

Exclusion Diets

Consumers are continuing to experiment with alternative eating styles. In 2014 one-third of adults tried a specialty regiment like gluten-free, lactose-free, raw/living foods, dairy-free or a juice cleanse. Three-quarters of U.S. households prepare meat alternatives for dinner with eggs being the most popular meat alternative. Food restrictions, intolerances, or allergies have a good deal of influence on food choices for one in 10 shoppers and 17 percent are somewhat influenced, according to Packaged Facts.

Breakfast

Most people are eating breakfast five times a week. Having more energy and mental focus, helping maintain weight and feeling full until lunchtime are all things that motivate non-breakfast eaters to dig into breakfast, reports the International Food Information Council. Ethnic flavors for breakfast are trending as well such as chipotle, manchego, chutney, Cotija, and chimichurri, reports Datassential.

Eating For A Specific Lifestyle

Dramatic changes in lifestyle, eating patterns, and demographics are creating new rules for marketing and packaging and are motivating new food product purchases. Nearly half of all eating occasions are alone and the family meal continues to erode; only 27 percent of family meals include children, according to The Hartman Group.

Subscribe to our Trusted Health Club newsletter for more information about natural living tips, natural health, oral health and skincare. If you are looking for more health resources make sure to check out the Trusted Health Resources list.  

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.