The holiday season is at an end and for some, the beginning of the new year is a chance to reflect on the previous year and make goals for what lies ahead. Our world revolves around kefir and the many healthy applications it has on our lives and the lives of our drinkers, and we know 2016 is going to be a huge year for us. With that in mind, we came up with a list of six food trends we (as well as many, many others) think will hit it big this year.
Lifeway’s Top 6 Food Trends for 2016
Cultured and Fermented Foods
Cultured and fermented foods, like kefir, kombucha and miso, gained a lot of attention and fame in 2015 (for many good reasons) and we suspect they’ll be even bigger in 2016! More and more studies show links between the gut health and overall health, and in a culture where optimal health is something we all should be striving for, this is great news! On our end at the very least, we have some big news coming the in the next few months that we know you’ll love. Find out more about what exactly fermented foods are here.
Full Fat Dairy
There’s been a lot of back and forth in the health world as to whether or not full fat dairy is a better (re: healthier) option than skim milk. While dietary needs are different for every person, there are few who would argue that at the very least, full fat dairy products, including our whole milk kefir, just taste better!
Even more, fat is a vital part of every diet and promotes the feeling of satiety or fullness, meaning you’re less likely to go back for seconds and keep your weight in check. We love to use our Organic Whole Milk Plain Kefir in our strained kefir cheese and in different sauces for extra flavor without the guilt. Try them yourself!
Spicy/Savory Dairy
While some new foods will enter the spotlight in 2016, you can be sure that added and refined sugars will continue to fall out of favor. As such, we expect a trend toward savory and spicy snacks, including dairy, in 2016. We’re already ahead of the curve with our Veggie Kefir, but if you’re skeptical about skipping the sweet stuff, try your hand – and your fork – with this Kefir and Quinoa Pesto Breakfast Bowl, or with this Roasted Winter Squash Soup.
Floral and Herbal Flavors
While we’ll never grow sick of the flavors of fresh fruits and berries, we love the idea of incorporating more herbal and floral notes in our cooking (and smoothies!) and fully expect to see a rise in dishes featuring field favorites this year. In fact, we have it on good authority that you can expect a special edition kefir that fits this trend to hit the shelves of your supermarket in the next few months!
Supergrains
What will be the next quinoa? Your guess is as good as ours (anywhere from teff to millet to freekeh and beyond), but we’re sure to be seeing more ancient grains gain and show up on restaurant menus this year, likely due to the surprisingly high protein and nutrient content they may possess. On our end, we’re excited to start using them in place of oatmeal in our Kefir Overnight Oat Jars, and to add them to salads with our favorite kefir dips and dressings.
Snacks!
Snack time is back and we couldn’t be more excited (or upset that it ever left in the first place). With more demanding schedules and non-traditional meal times, coupled with an every growing desire to achieve and maintain health, we suspect that supermarkets and convenience stores will soon be stocking a wider range of healthy, convenient snacks.
When we have a snack attack, we reach for one of a variety of our favorite portable probiotic options, including Protein Kefir, ProBugs pouches, ProBugs bites and (when the time is right) Frozen Kefir Bars. Protein, probiotics, calcium and more – sounds like the perfect snack to us!
Ok, so if you haven’t figured it yet, we’re quite sure that 2016 will be the year of Lifeway Kefir coming to a breakfast table, lunch box, gym bag or purse near you this year. We’ll even add the dinner table and dessert aisle, because we can, and of course, because we want to help you live your healthiest year yet. Our products are designed to reach you wherever you are, no matter your need, so drink up to your health this year and stay trendy with your favorite probiotic smoothie.