The most popular food trends for the upcoming year will be convenience (heat-and-eat) meals, fresh and healthy foods, and larger nutrition bars that serve as meal replacement items, predicts Dr. Ralph Lane, University of Alabama professor of human nutrition.

"Individually packaged ready-to-eat foods that require no utensils will lead the list of 'most wanted' food attributes by consumers, even ahead of nutrition and health," Lane says.

Food-savvy consumers will continue their demand for upscale casual culinary concepts that are more flavorful, colorful, fun and somewhat indulgent, he predicts.

Lane also says that consumers will want more healthy snack foods that may be eaten on the go, such as milk-and-cereal bars, individually packaged low-fat cereal-based snacks, meal-replacement bars, and functional beverages that contain vitamin and mineral supplements as well as provide energy and protein.

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