Food Trends

Food trends for the year ahead

Every year brings new and exciting food choices and break through eating styles and although many people have their favourites it is always good to try new things and experiment with cooking techniques and recipes. So, what are the predicted trends for the coming year and are they worth a shot?

With so much of our focus now on mental health and wellbeing it is not surprising that one of the predicted future trends is eating for our brain health. This means eating foods that are thought to be good for our brain development and health. Foods such as fatty fish like tuna and salmon, rich in omega acids and seeds which are packed with healthy fats are recommended and as many of us have tried to cut down on the fat in our diets this could be quite a change in mindset. It is also recommended that we consume more darker coloured foods such as blueberries, kale, broccoli and spinach as they often contain the nutrients needed to improve memory and focus. A bonus for all chocoholics is that dark chocolate also has these properties although it may not be quite as healthy as the fruit and vegetable options a small amount can raise mood busting hormones making us feel good.

As we all seek to waste less in the kitchen so called nose to tail eating is making a comeback. During the war years nothing was wasted and people found inventive ways to use every part of the animal even down to making soup from the bones. It has been found that more people are trying liver, kidneys and other offal as it is cheaper than other meat and is nutritious too. On the other hand, plant based eating continues to be popular and in a similar way vegetarians and vegans seek ways to use all parts of the plant if possible to avoid waste.

Buying and eating food that has been grown and produced locally is another trend to look out for this year. Consumers are more informed about the sources of their food now and are trying to shop ethically where possible. They are aware that the food miles that some items incur are ridiculous when fresh produce is grown on their doorstep. Although it often costs more to shop in this way when it comes to reducing the food miles and supporting local businesses for the eco-friendly consumer the choice is obvious.