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5 High-End Food Trends That Are Actually Worth Following

By U.S. News & World Report

Back in the 1950s, only 3 to 5 percent of consumers bought high-end foods like truffles, pate and imported delicacies. But these days, 60 percent of shoppers say they’ve bought a specialty food or beverage over the past six months, according to a 2016 report from the Specialty Food Association and Mintel. Millennials top this category and are not afraid to lay down big bucks to splurge on the unique foods they desire. So which fancy foods are worth your attention (and money)? Here are my picks:

[See: 8 Food Trends Nutrition Experts Pray Will Never Return.]

1. Healthier chips.

Move over potato chips; there are some new chips in town. Companies like Food Should Taste Good, Beanitos and Enlightened Cocoa are making chips that include beans as a base to boost protein and fiber. Some also contain healthy and satiating ingredients like flaxseeds and chia.

Other companies like JicaChips, Kettle Uprooted and Rhythm help you crunch while you munch with bases of root veggies such as jicama, beets, sweet potato and parsnips. Speaking of veggies, Tropical Field’s Premium Mixed Veggie Chips are carefully vacuum-fried so they actually retain the color and flavor of the vegetable.

Then there are companies like Dang Foods, which makes chips that bring on the heat with flavors like sriracha, chili and garlic. Bare Snacks, too, has jumped on unusual chip trend by making organic baked coconut chips with flax, chia, coffee beans and cocoa.

2. Bugs.

The bug-eating trend may not be for you (or for me!), but it’s gaining popularity — and that’s not a bad thing. Crickets (mostly in the form of cricket flour) are a sustainable food source that can be used in items including baked goods, pasta and ice cream to enhance protein quality at little cost to the environment or your wallet.

3. Fat.

Whether it’s full-fat yogurts, whole milk, butter, coconut oil or avocado oil, one thing for sure is that fat is back. Consumers have finally figured out that choosing fat-free could be costly, especially if you take into consideration the other flavor-enhancers that are usually added to replace fat, like sugar and sodium. This, coupled with recent buzz that has put saturated fat on a pedestal, has led many of us to ditch the words “skim” and “low-fat.”

But before you get cured of the fat phobia you developed in the 1980s, it’s best to shoot for a mix of different types of fats in your diet. Moreover, if you’re trying to lose weight, watching the amount of fat you consume can help you achieve that goal.

[See: 15 Best Weight-Loss Diets at a Glance.]

4. Tea.

Tea has been hot across the globe for centuries and is gaining in popularity to help cure your ailments, soothe your mood or make you more mindful. This beverage has taken on superfood qualities with the addition of herbs and spices like turmeric and ginger.

The resurgence of matcha, too, is encouraging, since it seems to concentrate the heart-healthy and inflammation-reducing benefits of green tea. Thanks to companies like Republic of Tea, which makes matcha in convenient packets, you can even drink it on the go by adding it to your bottle of water.

[See: 9 Drinks That Give You a Buzz Without the Hangover.]

5. Plants.

The term “plant-based” eating continues to grow in popularity. In a nutshell (pun intended), it means that you don’t have to be a vegetarian or vegan to prefer plants. This type of diet describes one that focuses on plant proteins (nuts, soy, beans, veggies and whole grains) versus those that come from animals (poultry, meat and fish). Vegetable-based foods have been shown to help people prevent chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes and cancer. They’re also kinder and gentler to our environment by decreasing global greenhouse gas emissions caused by food production practices.

Editor’s note: The author has no affiliations with any of the brands mentioned.

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5 High-End Food Trends That Are Actually Worth Following originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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