Trend researcher Hanni Rützel has compiled current nutritional trends in her 2020 Food Report. It shows that healthy and sustainable nutrition is becoming increasingly important to more and more people. However, flexibility and simply enjoying food also play an important role in 2020.
More and more people are paying attention to the conscious use of natural resources. The topic of "meat consumption" plays a central role in this. Aside from the fact that global meat production consumes a very high amount of resources and has a dangerous impact on the climate, we generally eat much more meat than is beneficial for our health.
Beyond Meat
The burger from the company "Beyond Meat" consists largely of pea protein. However, its consistency and taste are indistinguishable from a meat burger patty. Just for fun, try the test with a few friends. It's no wonder that "Beyond Meat" stock has experienced a rapid rise. But other meat substitutes are also impressive and delicious. Whether "Next Level", "Wonder Burger", or products made from seitan, lupins, or jackfruit – high-quality and tasty meat alternatives have long been found in supermarkets as part of a new nutritional trend. However, these products run counter to another trend: they contain a number of additives. Just like meat, you should not eat them every day. As a treat at a barbecue party, however, these meat-free products are a great alternative for vegans, vegetarians, and anyone who simply wants to eat less meat. By the way: this also applies to milk. Why not try your muesli or coffee with alternatives like soy, oat, or almond milk.
Colorful pasta as a nutritional trend
Pasta is a great food: delicious, quick and easy to cook, and combinable with all kinds of sauces. It has only one drawback: compared to its calorie count, it contains few nutrients and makes you fat. At least this applies to traditional wheat pasta. That's why alternatives made from chickpeas, lentils, or peas are becoming increasingly popular. They contain more protein, fewer carbohydrates, keep you full longer, and provide your muscles with protein. The various colors accommodate another 2020 nutritional trend: fun food. Because food should also be fun.
High-quality snacking with Nicecream
No nutritional trend without delicious ice cream, because it’s not just children who love the sweet scoops. And since 2020 is all about health and environmental awareness, vegan varieties and organic ice cream are booming. Ice cream without artificial flavorings and extra sugar, as fruity and vegan as possible, is trending as "Nicecream". Dark chocolate is also becoming increasingly popular. A cocoa content of 70 percent or more promises high-quality chocolate with many antioxidant ingredients.
Alternatives to industrial sugar
Giving up refined sugar has been one of the most significant nutritional trends for years. Many sweeteners also pose problems, as they stimulate insulin release and lead to cravings. Fortunately, there are a number of healthy alternatives that are increasingly found on supermarket shelves: agave syrup, date or rice syrup, yacon powder, and the Asian sugar substitute jaggery.
Hemp seeds – the local superfood
Naturally, current nutritional trends always include the superfood of the hour. Currently, hemp seeds are particularly popular. They contain plenty of dietary fiber and can thus boost your digestion. Just like flax or chia seeds, you simply sprinkle the slightly sweet and nutty-tasting seeds over your salad, your muesli, or into yogurt and benefit from the many healthy ingredients. These include, above all, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, proteins, amino acids, and vitamins B1, B2, and E. Hemp seeds are gluten-free and are also processed into oil or protein powder. You can find great recipes with hemp protein here.
Other nutritional trends
Of course, our dietary habits and their changes are too diverse to be done justice in a short blog post. For example, besides hemp seeds, other superfoods are trending in 2020, such as protein-rich algae. Freshly squeezed juices and smoothies also remain popular. In addition, tea-based cocktails are becoming increasingly popular and are finally freeing the healthy hot drink from its less glamorous image. Another nutritional trend will be particularly noticeable in the catering industry in 2020: after Asian cuisines were in high demand for years, oriental cuisine is now also becoming increasingly popular.
• If you want to learn more about the "future diet plan" created by scientists, click here.
• You can find out how to succeed with healthy nutrition in an interview with the well-known nutrition expert Dr. Anne Fleck. Click here.
• If you want to learn more about nutrients, read on here.
