5 Hottest Food Trends 2015

photo via Four Sigma Foods

Every week, as clients come in for sessions they glance over at our office store and ask, “so what’s new?” And so I thought I’d share a piece I wrote for Fitbit on food trends for 2015.

I’m conflicted on the topic of food trends. On one hand I live, breathe and sometimes dream (pathetic I know) nutrition. I love to scope out what’s new or innovative, even fringe. On the other hand, I roll my eyes over kale’s overexposure as the “it” vegetable. I’ve called it Kardashian like- enough, right? If I am forced to pick sides food trends or same old/same old I’m going with the latest and the greatest… and so I bring you five hot foods on the scene for 2015.

Legumes

 So there’s nothing new about legumes (beans, chickpeas and lentils). What’s new is how they are used and why certain legumes are sought out.

Beans are being used in pastas by brands such as Banza(chickpea pasta) and Explore Asian (black bean or mung bean pastas).Speaking of mung beans, the biggest “issue” facing legumes or beans in general is…. gassiness. Mung beans  are “the gas free legume” and they also don’t need to be soaked like other beans. So whether it’s for the protein content, gluten free or gas free it’s beans, beans…

Teatails

Green tea is widely celebrated and last year matcha (a powedered green tea) popped on the radar. What we’re seeing now (and a little excited about) is tea in cocktails. Tea forte is making tea bags especially for cocktails and Owl’s brew makes tea mixers. Cheers!

Magic Mushrooms

So let me explain, mushrooms are popping up in all sorts of applications. They’re sort of magic but in a legit, legal way. Mushroom Matrix is using organic, medicinal mushrooms for applications varying from immunity to skin and hair health (yes please in the winter.) Four sigma has mushroom based beverages even mushroom-laced hot chocolate for stress reduction and weight loss.

Charcoal

I know, I know charcoal isn’t what we think of when we think about deliciousness but it certainly is a big player when it comes to detox. Although I’m suggesting charcoal is trendy, it’s certainly not new. Activated charcoal was used in ancient Egypt and by Hippocrates in Greece. The appeal of activated charcoal is that it’s like a sponge for chemicals and poisons; they adhere to it. Charcoal can be used for hangover prevention, for stomach issues and we’re seeing charcoal pop up at juice shops with “dark detox shots” and charcoal lemonade.

The new pomegranate

In terms of fruit, Forbes points to these grapefruits “sweet scarletts” as the it fruit for 2015. It doesn’t hurt that Pom who made pomegranates “wonderful” are the company behind these grapefruits (that I’m sure are delicious).

So whether you’re a pasta person or a stressed out hot chocolate lover, branch out in the 2015 and know there’s nothing wrong with your old standby foods broccoli or apples.

What foods have you been hearing more about? Any of these I mentioned you’re curious to try?