Have you yet enjoyed some antibiotic-free chicken in a protein bowl? If so, well done, trendy eater. That dish pretty much encapsulates all of the hot trends in food right now: a free-from, low-fat protein that offers plenty of energy in an unconventional format. Consumers still want protein, but are more willing to experiment with healthy, preservative-free choices.
According to the Hartman Group’s Diners’ Changing Behaviors 2015 report, 60 percent of consumers say they are actively trying to increase their protein intake. They value protein’s nutrient density and satiety, but they are also consciously exploring plant-based proteins and focusing more on food quality and smaller portions, according to the Bellevue, Wash.-based research firm.