Five Food Trends for 2012 and Beyond

On the food front, Americans may be finally accepting that we are what we eat and start walking the walk. Even our new taste for Nordic cuisine is fueled, perhaps, by images of the lean, robust, and outdoorsy. But what other things are trending on the food front for 2012–13?

With Denmark’s recent “fat tax” imposed on high-fat food products and the U.K. contemplating a similar fine on all things fatty, look for more governments to follow suit and smack down on our expanding waistlines. Which brings the bigger trend into our (extra-large) mirror: Fat phobia will run rampant next year.

People are freaking out about being fat. And countries such as France, a traditionally “fat-free” zone, are experiencing a rise in obesity. Nearly 14% of French adults are now obese, up from 8% 10 years ago, and a French dependence on fast food might be to blame. As fat phobia takes over the globe, look for big names such as Pepsi to get in on the act by offering more mindful items.

Speaking of mindful, the healthy snack category will be healthy not only in its offerings but also in sales. U.S. retail sales of packaged snacks increased to about $64 billion in 2010, according to Packaged Facts’ “Snack Foods in the U.S., 4th Edition” report. By 2015, packaged snack sales are slated to approach $77 billion. Look for packaged baby carrots, low-fat chips and salsa, or hummus to be huge for those looking to slim down.

Learn about 3 more trends: Southern cuisine, pickled and peppered treats, pop-up and food truck