Top Trends of the Decade in U.S. Eating Habits

It's been an eventful decade for food in the United States. New York Times bestsellers and documentaries have studied the phenomenon, groceries have changed to keep up with the times, and North Americans are cooking and eating differently than they were ten years ago. Here are picks for the top ten trends in food, both good and bad, in the past decade.

Good Food Trend: International Food

World cuisine has become widely accepted, and the steak, potatoes, and green vegetable meal is turning into a rare species. Mainstream grocery stores are now carrying coconut milk, rice noodles, red curry paste, couscous, masa harina, and staples of cuisines around the world. Fast food restaurants are featuring Asian-style salads, and wasabi peas are showing up in vending machines. Fusion cuisine has finally fused to Americans' everyday diets.

Good Food Trend: Food for Thought

Thinking about food has become intensely fashionable in the past decade. Bestseling author Michael Pollan has published hot sellers The Omnivore's Dilemma, and In Defense of Food. Barbara Kingsolver's 2007 Animal, Vegetable, Miracle spurred many a book club discussion and attempt at home cheesemaking. The hot documentary of 2009 was Fresh, featuring Joel Salatin's Polyface Farm. Diners debate the benefits of becoming a locovore, flexitarian, or vegan.

Good Food Trend: Allergy Awareness

With growing numbers of kids suffering from allergies, schools, restaurants and manufacturers have all instituted allergy precautions. Food must now be labeled if it may contain common allergens, and products free of soy, milk, and nuts are becoming easier to find.

Good Food Trend: Organic

In an effort to eradicate toxins from their diets, save the environment, or impress their friends, many Americans are now eating organic. The U.S. passed a law on organic standards in 2002, and the National Organic Program of the USDA now oversees organic certification.

Good Food Trend: Help for Specialty Diets

Gluten avoidance diets have increased in popularity among sufferers of celiac disease, ADD, and ADHD. The protein found in many baked goods can increase severity of celiac symptoms, and some believe it exacerbates behavioral disorders. Other diners prefer avoiding any animal-related products in their diets. Gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian and other specialty diet foods are dramatically increasing in availability, giving diners on a restricted diet many more choices.

Bad Food Trend: Excess

Perhaps as a backlash to overthinking food, the monumental excess of foods such as Paula Deen's infamous "lady's brunch burger" sandwiched between two Krispy Kreme donuts are showing up on menus. Nobody's arteries deserve that sort of treatment.

Bad Food Trend: Loss of Prep Skills

All the inspiration of the reality T.V. chef shows are failing Americans at 6 PM. Fortunately for the lazy, there are pre-diced onions, potatoes prewrapped and microwave-ready, lettuce that's already shredded and ready to dump into a bowl, and a host of other convenience foods. To channel the cooking urge, there are now establishments in suburbia to prepare a freezerful of entrees while hanging out with a girlfriend and sipping coffee, and without having to peel any garlic. These convenience foods unfortunately come with a hefty price tag for the convenience.

A Mixed Blessing: TV Dinners

Americans are watching more food than ever before. The Food Network has spurred not just cooking shows, but reality cooking shows, competitions, and daring dining options for those who have no reservations. Chefs are becoming stars rather than acquiring them, and whatever a would-be home cook's interest they can now find a show about it. Cooking as entertainment is unfortunately having a negative impact on cooking to nourish!

Now at Your Grocer: Gourmet Grocery to Go

Many grocery stores have become takeout stops as well. The deli counter of the 80's and the rotisserie chicken of the 90's have expanded to a selection of prepared heat-and-serve or already hot entrees. More food, less cooking.

The Worst Food Trend: Scary Food

With multiple outbreaks of food-borne illness and worries about radiation treatment, genetic modifications, bovine growth hormones, and mad cow disease, Americans have been stuck wondering what's safe to eat. With internet and broadcast news stories fanning the flames of fear, the benefit has been to local small farmers with consumers willing to pay a premium for knowing where their food has come from.

"National Organic Program", USDA

Michael Pollan, michaelpollan.com

"A Year of Food Life, "Animalvegetablemiracle.com

Freshthemovie.com

"National Organic Program," USDA

"A Juicy Southern Burger," Pauladeen.com