With the New Year here, Whole Foods has released its predictions for food trends in 2017.
Among the ten predictions compiled by industry experts were some seemingly out-of-the-blue suggestions. Others, as the gluten-free crowd will be happy to hear, came as no surprise. Whether you're resolving to adopt a new lifestyle change or simply a conscious shopper, here are five trends to look for in 2017:
Byproducts Galore: Food producers are finding ways to reuse the byproducts of other staples and create their own niches for them, the company reported. Think of the whey leftover from strained yogurt – some brands are using this in probiotic drinks.
Purple Foods: Whole Foods predicts that more purple-colored foods will join the ranks of antioxidant powerhouses like blueberries, acai and beets. Expect to see dark-toned variants of common staples such as black rice and purple cauliflower.
Flexitarian-Friendly: Consumers, according to Whole Foods, are beginning to move away from strict diets, such as vegan, gluten-free and Paleo. Instead, consumers are opting for a more middle-of-the-road approach -- for example, by limiting certain foods as opposed to eliminating them.
Grain-Free Pasta: Lentils, chickpeas, black beans and edamame already populate store shelves as the base of non-traditional pastas. In the coming year, these and other grain-free options, such as veggie noodles, are expected to continue growing.
Coconut, in all its forms: The fruit-nut-seed superfood has been enjoying its time in the spotlight of late, and in more ways than one. According to Whole Foods, that trajectory will only continue to grow in the coming year. Coconut oil is projected to be increasingly employed in skincare and beauty products, while the flour may appear in more gluten-free alternatives.
