A national survey of registered dietitians predicts that 2018’s top consumer interest will be fermented foods, such as yogurt, kefir, kombucha (fermented sweet tea), sauerkraut, tempeh, some pickles, kimchi and miso. Pollock Communications, a public relations firm, and the magazine Today’s Dietitian conducted the survey of 2,050 nutrition professionals.
The survey indicates that the top 10 “superfoods” likely to be of greatest public interest in 2018 will be, in descending order, fermented foods, avocados, seeds, nuts, green tea, ancient grains (like farro, kamut, millet and spelt), kale, exotic fruits, coconut products and salmon. While one should not believe health claims attributed to these superfoods, most of these items can contribute to an overall healthy eating pattern. Best to avoid those fermented foods that are high in sodium.