The real food trends have to do with our behavior and attitude - the way we eat and what we think about what we eat. A lot of those trends are not terribly new at all, of course. One thing that is peculiarly new is how we've turned upside-down the broad equation of how the rich and the poor eat. The poor eat these things when they can afford to do so, but have generally been forced by poverty to eat whole grains, vegetables, beans and such. It may make nutritional sense, but only by ignoring eons of human appetite, and I don't think really good nutrition can do that.
Pleasure is also part of health.
I think it's something so simple and so hard - it is learning to say yes, and to say no. We're so torn between greed and guilt in this country - always thinking we need more of something, always unsure if we deserve what we have. The more I travel, the better this city looks - a more comfortable, easier, kinder place to live. But as for American cities, it would either be Portland or Kailua-Kona. I don't go to many readings or public events.