Page 34 - EOC18

The Fit Foodie®
THE TOP 8 HEALTHY FOOD TRENDS
FOR 2016
BY CELEBRITY CHEF AND INDUSTRY EXPERT MAREYA IBRAHIM, THE FIT FOODIE
For the fourth consecutive year, I’m releas- ing my Top 8 Healthy Food Trends Report for 2016 that will dominate the plate. In 2015, my predictions included nutrient-dense cold pressed juices, cold brew coffee, convincing meat-less meat and products fueled by crick- et powder - which captured shelf space and menus everywhere, helping food service break through the clutter with unique items that cus- tomers want, driving sales and interest.
And now, what do I see in my crystal ball? Let’s get to the meat...
1INSPIRALIZED VEGGIES
How do you get more veggies onto their plates? A secret weapon for the health-con-
scious cook, spiralizing transforms your favorite vegetables into pasta-like noodles. Deli- cious raw and crunchy in a salad or cooked and covered with a hot sauce or mari- nated in a dressing, this technique is sure to grow in popularity in 2016. By making noodles out of veg- etables like zucchini, squash and kohlrabi, you’re
imitating foods that families love but replac- ing them with gluten-free, nutrient dense op- tions. These grain-free noodle substitutions offers brilliant texture without compromising flavor, and can be integrated into a number of dishes, from traditional Italian to Asian, served hot or cold, offering great appeal for different dietary needs. By substituting spiralized veggies for traditional pasta, you can save yourself up- wards of 180 calories and roughly 35 carbs in a single serving. Gluten-free is here to stay, so appealing to customers with veggie options is a smart way to go, because it can be marketed as ‘fresh’ pasta. You can also get inspiralized at eatcleaner.com.
32 Harvest 2015
www.edibleorangecounty.com
Mareya Ibrahim is The Fit Foodie. She is the creator of EAT CLEANER® and the Cleaner Plate Club, teaching families how to enjoy cleaner, safer, longer last- ing fresh food. She is also a fea- tured chef on “Everyday Health’s Recipe Rehab” and hosts “Fit Foodie” Fridays on Channel 6 San Diego. This time of year, she can’t get enough of golden beets, butternut squash and Branzino.