Blended Mushroom “Smash” Burger via Sweet Cayenne

New year, new you! 2020 is going to be a year filled with new flavors and food products that will make the health-conscious foodie happy! All of the items on our list are packed with a purpose, whether that's helping diners incorporate more fiber into their diets, cut down on cholesterol, or be more environmentally friendly, there’s something for everyone.

1. Meat-Plant Blends

Chefs across the country have been on board with this trend for years through the James Beard Foundation’s The Blended Burger Project, a movement that strives to make the iconic burger “better for customers and for the planet” by blending in at least 25% fresh mushrooms. But adding plant-based ingredients to meatballs and burgers has an added bonus – it’s budget-friendly, so for the health-conscious at-home chef, this idea is genius! In 2020 you’ll see more butchers and meat brands getting on board too. Products like the Lika Plus Burger made using 75% ground beef blended with 25% Lika Plus (wheat, mushroom, barley yeast and water), are already showing up at meat counters in Whole Foods Market. Flexitarians looking to strike a tasty balance between meats and plants can expect more blended products in their future.

2. Mocktails Over Cocktails

Thanks to wellness-obsessed millennials, we’ve seen the rise of flavorful zero-proof beers, plus a plethora of drink mixers meant for mocktails. The “sober curious” movement is gaining popularity, giving rise to a movement of delicious, alcohol-free beverages beyond the classic seltzer and lime. These beverages seek to re-create classic cocktail flavors using distilling methods typically reserved for alcohol, think botanical-infused faux spirits and hopp infused black teas. Bars around the country are hopping on board, like Sans Bar, the first sober bar in Austin, Texas, as well as Getaway in Brooklyn, NY which stocks non-alcoholic beer, wine and cocktails, plus house-made shrubs.

Cool Vibes at Getaway Bar, the first sober bar in Brooklyn, NY

3. Sweet Potato is The New Cauliflower

The nutritious tuber that has long been a staple of holiday meals is getting a makeover. If you are a potato chip lover, try snacking on Spudsy - a puffed snack made with up-cycled sweet potatoes deemed “too ugly” to be sold at the grocery store. The spuds get turned into sweet potato flour before being combined with pea protein and rice flour to make a crunchy snack. You might also want to keep an eye out for Banza’s Plant-Based Mac with Chickpea Pasta which is launching early 2020 and touts a cheese-less "cheddar" sauce made from sweet potatoes and nutritional yeast.

Broccoli Bolognese made with Banza Chicpea Pasta via Epicurious

4. Rethinking the Kids’ Menu

Judging from the number of kids’ cooking and baking competitions on TV, kids are kitchen-savvier than ever before. Many new parents are introducing their kids to more interesting products and plant-based foods and food brands are taking notice. They’re taking a more sophisticated approach to the classic kid’s foods - think non-breaded salmon fish sticks and colorful, fun-shaped pasta made from alternative flours.

5. Plant-Based Butters

While the margarine many people grew up with featured a combination of vegetable oils and whey, the latest plant butters (think watermelon seed butter) are vegan and contain no trans fats. They are super creamy and spreadable and pair perfectly with toast, bagels, and celery sticks, and can be used to make all types of dairy-free creations. Many brands are also looking to eliminate their use of palm oil with more eco-friendly nut alternatives or adhere to the Responsibly Sourced Palm Oil certification to reduce their environmental impact.

6. Regenerative Agriculture

Regenerative Agriculture is a system of farming principles and practices that increases biodiversity, enriches soils, improves watersheds, and enhances ecosystem services. More and more farmers, producers, academics, government agencies, and retailers are taking a closer look at how to implement land and animal management practices to better use and sustain their lands. These practices help reduce climate change and create long-lasting environmental benefits. You can help by seeking out brands that support these regenerative practices.

Some brands to check out include: MegaFood Turmeric Strength for Whole Body; MegaFood B12 Energy Ginger Gummies; White Oak Pasture Grassfed Ground Beef; Zack’s Mighty Tortilla Chips; Cowgirl Creamery Mt. Tam; Soli Artisan Essential Oil Sacred Forest Collection: Palo Santo, Rosewood; Bonterra Sauvignon Blanc

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