Up & Coming Food Trends 2015

Can you believe today is the LAST day of 2014?!?

I’m already breaking my New Years resolution (good thing the new year didn’t begin just yet…) about being present in the moment by making lists on lists on lists of ideas that have been popping into my head nonstop, 24/7, about what I want to do this year, recipes I want to create, recipes I want to re-make, and where I want this blog to go! I think once school ends for the semester, creativity takes over and my brain goes wild! 

Anyone else get what I’m talking about or do I sound like a crazy person?! 

Well, I came up with a bunch of different ideas for my final post of 2014…

• 5 recipes to a healthier YOU (because 2015 is ALL about YOU!)
• How to be more present in the moment (although I think this will come at a later point…clearly I’m still working on it…)
• How to make 2015 your best year yet (but I’m SO not an expert)
• A fun cocktail recipe for New Years (but I’m a sucker for plain ol’ champagne, so this felt a bit hypocritical).
• What partying does to your body (but no one, including myself, wants to know this)

So I landed on looking ahead…at TRENDS! 

While I try to be quite trendy in fashion (ha!), I’m really all about the FOOD trends (hellllloooo avocado toast!). There’s always a lot of speculation and many formal lists are published on this topic, but instead of repeating those lists, I’ve gathered patterns from all of the magazine reading I’ve been catching up on…

I’ve been home for vacation with my parents and brothers, relaxing, recipe-menting (get excited…SO many great recipes coming your way in January!), and taking care of errands that have to get done. Between the countless doctor appointments (yup, still have 20/20 vision!) and time to flip through the magazines my dad brings home from his office (thanks!), I’ve noticed many patterns… Oh the beauty of vacation! 

To stop myself from rambling even more, here are some of my predictions for the hottest food trends 2015: 

More Matcha

This potent green tea became THE “it” food towards the end of 2014 with a matcha-everything (chocolate, lattes, cupcakes, juice, etc.) bar popping up in Brooklyn to prove it! Matcha tea is packed with antioxidants, EGCG, and catechins for “energy without the jitters.” You can find this green powder in most health food stores to add to cupcakes or your morning smoothie. I found these few recipes that look absolutely delish: 

Matcha Cupcakes from Pass The Sushi

Matcha Vanilla Smoothie from Love & Lemons (vegan, gluten free, dairy free)

Chocolate Matcha Energy Balls from The Healthy Maven (vegan, gluten free, dairy free)

Seaweed for days 

While this trend certainly isn’t new (one of my very first posts was about spirulina approved for use as food coloring!), it’s becoming hotter by the second! As one of the only plant-based sources of vitamin B12 and a complete protein (it contains all amino acids essential for our bodies), it’s a healthy and lower sodium way to enjoy a crunch! Target, Trader Joe’s, and Walmart are all selling sea snacks as a healthier alternative to potato chips (bravo!). 

Cold Brew Coffee

2014 was the year of cold brew! Countless NYC start ups have focused on the brew and many more offices have kegs of the stuff! Cold brew coffee is said to be a much “smoother” drink than traditional brews because it is less acidic. While you can purchase cold brew by the bottle (they often need to be diluted with extra water, coffee, or milk), click here for a step-by-step guide of how to make “the best” cold brew iced coffee. 

Sprouted Seeds and Grains

These raw nutritional powerhouses are “sprouting” up everywhere from your local farmer’s market to the supermarket. Like the better known alfalfa sprouts, sprouted seeds and grains have an earthier flavor, plus many nutritional benefits. Sprouted seeds and grains are easier to digest because complex sugars are broken down and many vitamins are much more potent. Sprouts are also more alkalizing to the body, which some tout as superior for our health. You can add more sprouts to your diet today by simply purchasing “sprouted grain” bread (I love Food For Life Baking Company’s Ezekiel bread). 

Fermented foods

Kimchi and kombucha dramatically grew in popularity this past year, and I don’t see the fermented foods trend slowing down any time soon. Fermented foods contain probiotics, beneficial bacteria that keep our gut happy and healthy. Incorporating these foods into your diet — through yogurt and sauerkraut — will help ease digestion and reduce stomach woes. 

Trends are just that…trendy…so no advice written here is meant to replace recommendations from your physician or dietitian. As always, check with your doctor if you have a specific condition that may be affected by the foods you eat. {Some of these foods are often unpasteurized, which can be troublesome for immune-compromised patients.}

Have you participated in any of these food trends yet?? 

Wishing you a VERY happy and healthy 2015!!!

XO