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Trends arrive, thrive for a short period of time and then disappear never to be seen again. It might be for just a fleeting moment but we diligently follow these trends each time they appear. Every industry is always looking for the next big thing and 2020 will be no different.
From fashion to health to fitness, everyone wants to be at the cutting edge of the market and achieve positive results. This is no different when it comes to the food industry. We can get by without next season’s clothing line, but living your life without good nutrition could be damaging to more than just your self-image.
2019 was a great year for food innovations. From charcoal-infused food to kefir as well as a variety of other new food trends, last year was dedicated to offering products with health benefits. Over the last decade as a whole, India was introduced to a number of never-before-seen food trends. Take-away services, fast-food concepts and food delivery options all led to a phase of unhealthy eating that was rising at an alarming rate. But, as we say goodbye to 2019, it is becoming more and more apparent that consumers are returning to the practice of mindful eating and health consciousness.
The Future of Food
Health pundits have predicted that the coming year will be focused upon good, whole foods and getting back to natural ingredients with a hint of advanced eating habits. Trends across the top metropolitan cities of the country along with the tier-1 and tier-2 cities are expected to undergo an era of innovative food trends. From chemical-free eating to prioritising whole, natural products, we are excited to try them all. Here we have our list of top 7 food trends to look out for in the coming year.
Top Healthy Food Trends For 2020
1. Whole grains
The more processed the food, the less nutritious it will be and a main food trend in 2020 will involve whole grains. Whole grains are more nutritious, easier to digest and are great for overall health. Add it to your breakfast meal, enjoy whole corn or popcorn as a snack, or eat your whole rice, bread and rotis to reap the benefits of whole wheat. Making the switch to whole grains instead of whole flour will be much better for you in the year ahead.
2. Probiotic Foods
Good bacteria is crucial to ensure good digestion and good digestion leads to overall health benefits. This is why probiotic foods are expected to be a lasting food trend as we look to the future. Yoghurt, curd, kefir, and vinegar are all supposed to be a part of your everyday diet and due to the rising popularity of these foods, companies are beginning to focus on them more and more. Last year saw the trend of probiotic kombucha take over and this focus on probiotic foods that benefit your digestive system is only set to increase in the coming times.
3. Sustainable and Organic Food
People are becoming increasingly annoyed at the growing level of unregulated chemicals being sprayed onto and added to their foods. This rise in awareness has spread and consumers are now looking for better, safer, organic options.
Organic farming, considered a traditional practice in India, has a multitude of benefits over its chemically altered alternatives. It is a non-toxic, safe form of food production and it also helps the environment by reducing the number of harmful chemicals in the soil. Organic food is a safer, more sustainable kind of farming that is likely to be the future of the food industry.
3. Less Sugar
Sugar is not as inherently dangerous as it is made out to be, but obviously, it is not the best thing for your body when consumed regularly. Excess sugar consumption can be harmful to your cardiac health as well as impacting your general well being in a number of different ways. Sugary foods like baked goods or sweet drinks are expected to become less popular than a sugar-free version of the same product in 2020; a trend that will only gain more impetus as people look to reduce their overall sugar intake.
4. Alternative flour
Rotis and paranthas are the staple foods in a lot of regional cuisines across India. Where rural areas of India have been consuming the varieties of different flours like Raagi, Maize, and Bajra for years, urban locations are just beginning to catch up and are now inclining towards incorporating these healthy flours into their food, as opposed to just regular wheat.
5. Plant-based milk
With reports now starting to claim that animal milk could bad for the human body, as well as offering an alternative for lactose-intolerant people, plant-based milk is now a booming market with continued growing support. This combination of factors is seeing more and more people shift to plant-based milk options such as soy, almond and oat milk. Rich in fibre, protein and many other nutrients, 2020 could well be the year we say goodbye to animal-based milk.
6. Veganism
This food trend has been growing in western countries and soon it will be hitting the Indian continent with force. Vegans believe in cruelty-free eating where no animal products are involved in a diet. Vegans cut out meat, fish, eggs, cheese and any other product that comes from an animal, even considering the consumption of dairy and honey to be unethical. All this means that vegetables, fruits, nuts and grains make up the majority of their diet and they incorporate these ingredients in a variety of forms to attain most of their nutrients.
Conclusion
Trends will be followed and abandoned as time goes on. It is not important to follow every one of them diligently but it is still important to be aware of them. This is especially important in regards to the food industry as staying on trend here can have genuine benefits to your overall health. The food trends discussed in this article are all healthy, easy to follow and can become a part of your diet for the rest of your life. By enjoying the rewards that come from homemade food free from any kind of chemical or artificial ingredients and limiting the amount of processed food you consume, staying on-trend has never felt so good.
