Foods we’ll all be eating in 2018

It often seems like the next superfood comes out of nowhere, but there are some 2018 trends that James Colquhoun, our Eat well expert, can predict.

The way that superfoods can go from unknown to being a must-eat is a modern phenomenon. In some cases, top chefs have the ability to set food trends, and sometimes, it’s clever marketing. But increasingly, the health properties of an ingredient or drink can propel it into popular consciousness. Here’s a look at what we’ll be eating and drinking more of in 2018.

In the beverage sector, kombucha and fermented drinks will be at the front line. Choose your brand wisely, though. A good quality kombucha should only have two to five grams of sugar per 250 to 500mLs. Some beverage companies will ferment the sugar out then add it back in, so some products might have eight to 20 grams of sugar, which is the same as a soft drink. That means it’s important to read the label.

Chia seeds aren’t new, but we might soon see chia seed beverages in stores. Successful US brand Mama Chia is already creating organic fruit juices and adding chia seeds to the mix. With this hybrid beverage, you're getting a refreshing drink, plus the fats and the proteins and the omega three from the chia. A positive move for the health beverage market.

There is a huge trend towards low or no sulphite and low or no preservative wines made with organic or biodynamic grapes. Biodynamic is another step above organic, where there's an even higher level of reverence for lunar cycles that can impact cell biology and cell ecology at a biodynamic level. In essence, beyond not using chemicals, biodynamic farming pays special attention to planting cycles and soil microbiology.

People have started to realise that the reason they don't always feel that well-rewarded after wine has more to do with the preservatives and less to do with the alcohol, in many instances. We’re starting to see entire sections dedicated to this trend in mainstream suppliers and small bottle shops, too.

The gluten-free trend is set to continue, but what we’ll see in 2018 is cleaner gluten-free products. In the past, a lot of ‘dirty’ gluten-free products have made it to the market, but as people become savvier, they’re looking for better alternatives. For example, we’ll see more gluten-free bread with ingredients such as chia seeds, flax, sunflower or pumpkin seeds – functional breads, that are clean and taste delicious – start to compete with mainstream favourites.

Cows fed only grains tend to get sick more often and require more antibiotics. Grass-fed cows, on the other hand, are generally healthier as they are out and about eating fresh or dried grass. This means they have a healthier composition of essential fatty acids (being higher in omega 3 and lower in omega 9) meaning it is more anti-inflammatory than its grain fed counterpart. This is why grass-fed butter is much better for us – and is set to be one of the main food trends next year.

Similarly, a chicken is designed to eat little bits of grass, wheat, herbs and insects. When a chicken eats that diet, it creates an egg with an epically healthy ratio of fatty acids, in a bright, rich, orange yolk.

As consumers start to understand how animal diets impact products, they'll look for more of these types of products. People are becoming more concerned with being ‘qualitarians’ – people who are looking for quality in everything they eat.

We have emerged from the dark ages of nutritional regulation and the sale of low-THC hemp seed foods is now permitted.

Hemp seeds are a great food source for humans for creating protein in the body. They're rich in protein, and of the eight essential amino acids, hemp seeds have all of them. They’re also high in omega 3 fatty acids, which is excellent for skin health, metabolism and satiating appetite.

Filmmaker of 'Food Matters' and 'Hungry For Change', and founder of FMTV, James has dedicated his life to discovering the truth behind nutrition and our food supply. James, alongside Laurentine ten Bosch, has transformed the 'Food Matters' film into a global wellness hub, with a community of over 3.3 million followers across email and social networks. The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.

Disclaimer:
The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional, tax or other advice. It does not take into account any individual’s personal situation or needs. You should consider obtaining professional advice from a financial adviser and/or tax specialist, or medical or health practitioner, in relation to your own circumstances and before acting on this information.