New year, new food fad, right? This year, we’ve trawled the tastemakers of note and identified the 6 definitive food trends to look out for in 2015. Here’s our selection:
The Vegan Paleo
Way more hardcore than paleo on it’s own, this newer, hardcore version of the diet shuns meat as a part of the lifestyle. Be prepared to love your veg on this diet plan, because along with nuts and seeds, it’s basically all you will be eating… Pass the sweet potato, would you?
Freekeh
This year, freekeh will be popping up on menus across the country. Overshadowing quinoa, this is a super ancient grain has mega health benefits. It’s high in fibre, has a low GI and is known for kick starting the metabolism. Essentially, freekeh is wheat harvested before it is ripe. It has a nutty flavour and works the same way as quinoa and bulgur wheat. We reckon you’ll be seeing more than one freekeh risotto in your local restaurant…
Moringa
We predict moringa leaf to be the superfood of the year. This leaf can be used in the same way as most leafy greens (think kale, cabbage, spinach) and has huge health benefits. It helps to lower blood pressure and is a known sleep aid, so including it in your diet will help those who suffer from insomnia. One serving of cooked moringa leaf contains your entire daily recommendation for vitamins A and C, it contains three times the iron found in spinach and three times the potassium found in bananas. Amazing, right?
Hemp Seeds
Forget your chia and your flaxseeds; this year it’s all about hemp seeds. They’re loaded with protein, healthy fats (mainly omega-3s) and minerals like magnesium and zinc. A single tablespoon of hemp seeds contains about 5g of protein, so they’re a great addition to plant-based diets. They taste yummy, and when lightly toasted are a fabulous addition to any salad.
Ferment your food
Learn to embrace the pickle this year, because 2015 is the year of fermentation to make us feel better. From saurkraut to natural yoghurt, fermented foods are filled with probiotics and lots of friendly bacteria that help make our insides work better. Put simply, it’s now ok to sip a (craft) beer.
Sriracha
Put down the hot sauce, there’s a new spicy sauce in town. Sriracha is a chilli and garlic sauce from Thailand and has taken the world by storm over the last number of years. America is so in love with it that you can now find Sriracha flavoured crisps on supermarket shelves. Subway developed a sandwich around it and there is a Sriracha flavoured vodka on the way. Whatever. It tastes delicious; you should buy some.
