Normally, I just enjoy reading the trends and predictions lists that come out for the new year. For 2012, I decided to share what I think will be big this year related to Food, Fitness, Health, Publishing and Mobile, the topics I am most passionate about. Here we go in random order:
Food: Quinoa will go even more mainstream. You will see this grain as an ingredient in more pre-packaged foods, frozen foods, snacks, and in bulk outside of natural food stores like Whole Foods and Sprouts. Quinoa will be offered in more school lunches and a nation-wide restaurant chain will offer it as a side dish.
Food: Move over cupcakes, paletas, frozen ice pops made with fresh fruits and creams or water will be the popular sweet treat as people become more health-conscious and want a sweet but healthier treat. Paletas have more of a diversity in flavor and texture than your traditional fruit popsicle.
Publishing: The rise of the 3rd publisher between self-publishing and traditional book-publishing: micro-book publishing. Think books around +/- 30,000 words, selected authors, price points under $4.99 and all digital (no print.) The Atavist, Byliner, and Kindle Singles
Food publishing: As more people buy iPads and smartphones, sales of traditional printed cookbooks will diminsh mainly because consumers will not want to pay the higher prices. Digital is cheaper and access is faster, easier, and more interactive. More food magazines and (smart) book publishers will focus on digital books, web and apps versus print.
Fitness: Mobile fitness rises. More people will be using their smartphones and iPads for personalized workouts that will allow them to customize exercise programs and give them the flexibility to exercise anytime, anywhere.
Media: The most influential media mogul of 2012 will be 15 year-old Tavi Gevinson. I'm telling you this girl may be young in her years but she is wise beyond her age.
Apps: Mobile apps that allow people to curate and connect around specific topics will become most popular. Think Pinterest.
Health: Food allergy testing will be on the rise. Food allergies will get more press and will be a bigger concern for consumers as more Americans are being diagnosed with multiple food allergies. Currently, according to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, around 15 million Americans including 6 million children have food allergies.
Family cooking and eating: Mom is vegetarian. Dad is meat and potatoes. Kid is Celiac. Cooking and eating out for families with mixed-eating styles is becoming a bigger challenge. Recipes, restaurants, apps, books or magazines that offer easy and fast solutions will highly benefit.
Food regulation: The California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act will pass. Other U.S. states will get more aggressive in passing similar required GMO food labeling.
Bonus prediction: The world will not end when the Mayan calendar ends in 2012. Humans will still be on the planet in 2013.
Those are some of my predictions and trend forecasts for 2012. What do you foretell for the new year?
Photo: ruse laris via Flickr
