With the growing popularity and availability of food television, consumers seem to be much less afraid of experimenting with food than in past years. There is also a bigger media focus on what people are eating, what they are not getting enough of in the diet, and what consumers really want out of their meals.

 

Here are the top 7 food trends that were the focus of 2008 and will likely carry over into the new year.

 

1. Superfoods

Superfoods are classified by the phytochemicals in each piece of fresh fruit or each vegetable. Phytochemicals are special chemicals which have been proven to have disease fighting properties. Not all foods are “super”. Those that are considered super have been gaining popularity including pomegranates, apples, blueberries, broccoli, oats, spinach, and beans. In addition to the actual raw fruits and vegetables, there is an increasing amount of other variations of the foods, such as juices and sorbets that are made with the superfoods.

 

2. Probiotic Foods

Foods with probiotics contain bacteria that are known to be good for the stomach and digestive system, such as yogurts. More companies are jumping on the bandwagon and incorporating probiotic ingredients into other foods such as health bars, granola snacks, and chocolates.

 

3. De-Stressing Foods

Food products that contain gamma-aminobutyric acid are quickly gaining popularity because of consumer need to slow down their busy lifestyles.  Gamma-aminobutyric acid, also known as GABA, is an amino acid that is known for its stress relieving property. Some of the more common foods are asparagus, milk, almonds, and tuna.

4. Steamed Foods

In response to the negative aspects of deep fried foods and the links to high cholesterol and weight gain, many consumers are making fresher choices and are opting to eat foods that can be steamed, baked, or broiled to reduce fat, retain the essential vitamins and minerals, and keep the quality of taste.

 

5. Organic Foods

Organic foods are one of the fastest growing part of the produce industry. Organic foods are determined to be “organic” by the methods in which they are grown. When growing organic foods, the use of pesticides, artificial fertilizers, or human waste is forbidden. Organic foods are known to contain more antioxidants than non-organic products and overall are considered to be kinder to our bodies because of the lack of harmful chemicals.  Organic foods are also entering the kid’s market, as more and more products dubbed organic are being marketing towards the youth.

 

6. Bolder Tastes and Flavors

The consumer demand for more exciting tastes has grown and continues to increase. Taste buds are seeking spicier flavors, hotter ingredients, and bolder food choices. Everything from salsas to cheeses is getting more flavorful and the public can not get enough.

 

7. Ethnic Foods and Ingredients

With the advent of the televised cooking shows and the accessibility of the internet, more people are able to get a wider variety of ingredients to add into their recipes. In addition to the cravings for bolder flavors, the exotic ingredients from other countries are a hot commodity. Every where from restaurants to personal kitchens are becoming more experimental with ingredients not traditionally found at the local grocery store.