I was fortunate to be invited to the “dress rehearsal” of the grand opening of Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill this week. This new Denver restaurant serves up delicious, fresh and healthy foods from the Mediterranean. Classic dishes include hummus, chicken and beef shwarma, falafels and many fresh salad and sauce choices. Even their pita is homemade with a choice of white or whole wheat.

The company is “committed to offering top quality, natural ingredients using no preservatives and no transfats.” I can attest that my meal (I tried a little of most everything) was incredibly delicious, fresh and had an authentic homemade quality.

The company has plans to run nutrition analysis on their menu. I expect you’ll be able to find many healthy choices to fit your lifestyle. Keep an eye on their website for nutrition information.

Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill’s first location is in Greenwood Village at 8547 East Arapahoe Road, Unit D. With food this good, I anticipate additional locations to follow.

On The Menu’s predictions for 2008:

10. Heart healthy food. An old standby, heart healthy stays in the ranks. America’s number one cause of death is still heart disease. We expect to see continued labeling of heart-healthy (low-fat, trans fat free, lower sodium, high-fiber) foods and menu items.

9. Fair trade food. People will give more attention to how food is produced and give ethical consideration to their purchases.

8. Medicinal food. Watch for foods promoting digestive health, brain function, weight management and beauty.

7. 100 calorie snack pack food. We’ll see more convenience food individually packaged based on the caloric content.

6. Gluten- and allergen-free food. In the three years since we began helping restaurants create gluten-free menus, we’ve seen this trend take off. It’s a win-win for food companies and their customers. Note: FDA’s final definition for “gluten-free” will be announced later this year.

5. Healthy kids’ food. Efforts gain momentum to address the obesity epidemic among children. School and restaurant meals will offer healthier choices. Foods marketed to kids will emphasize less sugar and fat, more whole grains and real fruits and vegetables.

4. Local, sustainably grown food. Organic will continue to be big, but emphasis will be on locally grown foods from sustainable farms.

3. Nutrient dense, real, whole food. Foods that are fortified will fall out of favor to foods that have been minimally processed and are naturally nutrient dense. Manufacturers will make efforts to produce foods free of hydrogenated oils, artificial colors and flavors, high-fructose corn syrup and preservatives.

2. Whole grain food. Not to be found just in bread; we expect to see more whole grain pastas, cereals, crackers and cookies join the movement (no pun intended).

1. Marketing of restaurant food. Nutrition information on restaurant foods will be expected by customers who are more mindful of their eating. Legislation continues to grow in this arena. In Colorado check out the Smart Meal Seal. We believe 2008 is just the tip of the iceberg (pun intended).