The year 2000 seems like a long time ago. Back then, the Rams were Super Bowl champs, Bill Clinton was serving his last year in office, Facebook and Twitter didn’t even exist, and September 11 was just another day on the calendar. Almost everything has changed in the past 10 years, from the things we wear (goodbye baggy jeans, hello leggings) to the things we watch (R.I.P. laugh track). And the things we eat are no exception. Below are what I consider to be some of the top trends in the food world from the past decade:

Celebrity Chefs

Ten years ago, the names Rachael Ray, Bobby Flay, and Rick Bayless meant nothing to the average American. Now, thanks to the popularity of Food Network and shows like Bravo’s Top Chef and Fox’s Hell’s Kitchen, food preparation has been thrust into the spotlight and gets as much attention as the final products themselves. Being a chef is no longer a behind-the-scenes gig.

Will it last? It doesn’t look like our celebrity chef obsession will be dying down any time soon. Not only do they have their own cooking shows (and talk shows!), but like other celebrities, these mega chefs are becoming brands, delivering products right to our grocery store shelves and opening signature restaurants across the country.

Low Carb

The abandoning of bread products and occasional halitosis were not enough to deter millions of Americans who tried the low carb diet this past decade. Whether it was Atkins or South Beach, this craze swept the nation in the early part of the 2000s and gained disciples who were willing to give up carbohydrates in exchange for a fairly rapid loss of poundage. These diets became so common that some restaurants added low carb sections to their menus and products were created to cater specifically to the low carb devotees.

Will it last? I think the low carb craze has pretty much run its course at this point. There are still some people who do it, but since it’s not just a diet, but a “lifestyle” (meaning you have to lay off the carbs for your whole life to keep the weight off), it’s a hard commitment for most people to make.

Tapas

I’m pretty sure I had never even heard the word “tapas” until around 2002 or later. These days, tapas restaurants are all over every American city and probably some small towns too. The small plate, communal style of dining was first introduced in mostly Spanish and Mediterranean restaurants, but I’ve recently visited Italian and even Mexican tapas establishments.

Will it last? Right now, the small plate dining style seems to still be growing in popularity. It has even expanded to desserts in some chain restaurants. But who knows, the many Americans out there who prefer quantity to quality may instigate a tapas backlash, and it could become the fondue of this century. I guess only time will tell.

Healthier Fast Food Options

One thing that has become overly apparent in the past decade is that America is fat. While this isn’t breaking news, our country seemed to come to this realization only within the past 5 years. We immediately turned our accusing eyes toward fast food industry giants such as McDonald’s and Burger King whose burgers and fries are as caloric as they are craveable. As a result, these and similar restaurants now offer healthier menu options, especially for children. Other on-the-go restaurants like Panera, who tout themselves as healthier alternatives to typical fast food, have also done very well recently.

Will it last? The fact remains that an alarming number of Americans are overweight or obese, so hopefully this trend doesn’t fall by the wayside. The current popularity of The Biggest Loser TV show and nationwide focus on improving our eating habits are good signs that having healthy options at popular restaurants will continue to be important to most Americans.

Starbucks

While the popularity of the Starbucks coffee chain began in the late 1990s, it reached a fever pitch in the mid to late 2000s, and continues to seemingly be something that many Americans cannot live without. It has become part of the weekday morning routine for millions of nine-to-fivers, an office for freelancers, library for students, and even a hang-out for junior high and high school kids looking for a place to loiter.

Will it last? Starbucks and other coffee chains have a bright outlook for the future. As long as they keep it fresh, reinvent themselves, and keep coming up with delicious drinks, I don’t see them going anywhere soon. America will always need its coffee.

Carlie is the Food and Drink Editor for Girls Guide. By day she is an educational textbook editor, and she moonlights as a foodie and barfly. You can email her at carlie [at] girlsguidetothegalaxy [dot] com, and you can follow her on Twitter – @carbirwin.