Current Trends in Current Trends in Food and Dining Food and Dining

Deana Foster, RD, CDDirector of Nutrition

Wisconsin Beef Council

What is a Trend??What is a Trend??

A tendency to move towards something or in a particular direction

OR

A prevailing style as in fashion or food

TrendsTrendsInfluenced from all areas:

◦Celebrity chefs/Food Network◦Food and Restaurant industry◦Travel industry◦Media and magazines (Bon Appetit,

Epicurious)◦Hollywood

20082008Food and Health was high profile“Less is more” or downsizing was

popular in restaurants◦Mini food◦Value Pricing◦Lighter food options◦Tapas/sharing

2009 Trends2009 Trends

At home diningMore value placed on high-

quality, seasonal ingredients that provide good value

Emphasis on simple food shared with those close to you

Food TrendsFood TrendsFunctional Foods

◦Omega-3 Fatty Acids Eggs with higher levels of Omega-3’s

derived from feeding flaxseed◦Probiotics

Activia, Dannon DanActive yogurt◦Enhanced nutrient profiles

Tomatoes bred to deliver higher levels of lycopene

Lean Beef is one of nature’s most functional foods!

Food TrendsFood Trends

Gluten-free products

Food TrendsFood TrendsAlternative Sweeteners

Stevia

Agave nectar

Food TrendsFood TrendsBold Flavors/Ingredients

PepperHemp oil and seedCumin, cinnamon, gingerBlue Cheese, Asiago CheeseBlood Orange, Meyer Lemon, Key

LimeUMAMI—the 5th taste receptor

Food TrendsFood TrendsStress Reducers

◦In these uncertain times, look for new foods and beverages to offer ingredients to help you “de-stress” Dasani Plus Calcium +Relax Arizona Rx Stress Tea

Food TrendsFood TrendsVitality/Energy Boosters

◦Energy Drinks Herbals such as guarana and ginseng Amino acids such as taurine and L-

carnitine

TrendsTrendsBuying Local

◦The consumer is starting to care where their food comes from and so the “buy local” movement has begun

◦¾ of consumers are “buying local”

◦“Local” does NOT mean “organic”

Dining TrendsDining Trends

New/Fabricated cuts of meatPeruvian CuisineComfort foods reinventedFresh foodsMediterranean

HOW CAN WE APPLY HOW CAN WE APPLY THIS KNOWLEDGE IN THIS KNOWLEDGE IN

THE CLASSROOM?THE CLASSROOM?

Meal Planning and Meal Planning and PreparationPreparation

Take one or 2 food trends, discuss them and brainstorm ways to include them.

Example—functional foods, Umami

It all comes

down to this….

“Eating well is one

of life’s greatest

pleasures”

Julia Child

ResourcesResourceswww.beeftips.com

www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com

www.beefnutrition.org

www.beeffoodservice.com

www.beef.org

THANK YOU!THANK YOU!