Overweight, oversexed and over here: US doughnuts and J-Lo chic to hit UK

They're big over there and now they're coming over here. From doughnuts, so high in fat content they've been branded a weapon of mass destruction, to DVDs that self-destruct after 48 hours, America's new favourite things are heading for the UK.

A report by America's most influential trendspotter identifies a new pattern of consumer preference in the United States that will likely be followed in the UK. The study Trendscape 2004, by Michael Tchong, says Spanish food and Latino chic - main exponent Jennifer Lopez, cognac - as drunk by P Diddy, and "metrosexuals", that is hetrosexual men in touch with their feminine sides - prime example David Beckham - are all "in" in America.

Trendscape 2004, predicts Krispy Kreme doughnuts, a sales phenomenon in the US, will enjoy massive success in Britain. The first Krispy Kreme shop outside north America opened in Harrods food hall last month and another 100 are planned in the UK over the next five years.

Mr Tchong also believes the disposable DVD, which erases itself after two days and went on sale in America earlier this year, will also prove a big hit here. The discs oxidise 48-hours after being removed from their vacuum seals so they can no longer be used. They are in part intended to save people the bother of returning films to hire shops.

But neither development is being welcomed with open arms. The Krispy Kreme doughnut has been condemned by health experts because of their extraordinarily high fat content while MPs are concerned about the environmental impact of the throwaway DVDs, even before they arrive in this country.

With 48 varieties such as Chocolate Iced Custard Filled and Vanilla Raspberry Glazed, Krispy Kremes are notorious for their high fat content, raising fears they could accelerate another American lifestyle import - obesity.

The Original Glazed Krispy Kreme contains 12 grams of fat - 18 per cent of the doughnut - and 200 calories. The Chocolate Malted Kreme contains 21 grams of fat - nearly a third of the doughnut at 32 per cent - and 390 calories.

Catherine Collins, chief dietitian at St George's Hospital in London and a spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association, warned that the fat content was so high people should limit themselves to one a day.

"They are lovely," she said. "They melt in the mouth. But 200 calories is the limit of what we call the 'naughty treats' we would advise for a day, 10 percent of the necessary intake of 2,000 calories for women and 2,500 for men."

Dr Ian Campbell, chairman of the National Obesity Forum, said: "Doughnuts have next to no nutritional benefit. It's just unnecessary calories. This is just another example of cynical exploitation."

But in America the company has doubled its profits every year for the past three years, during which its share price has quadrupled.

The imminent arrival of the ez-DVD, developed by Disney, is also causing concern. "This enables retailers to compete with rental stores," said Alan Blaustein, chief executive of Flexplay, which owns the self-destruct technology.

MPs have condemned them as "wasteful and potentially damaging to the environment". The Disney owned distribution company, Buena Vista International, says the DVDs can be recycled.

The Scottish Nationalist MP Michael Weir, who is leading a Parliamentary campaign against the discs, is not convinced. "Lots of things can be recycled, but what percentage of them actually are?" he said. "I just don't see the point of these things. All local authorities are being urged to cut down on land fill and waste, and we are producing these things that make more waste."

Trendscape also predicts a boom in the popularity of Spanish food. In America, Guatemala's Pollo Campero is the fastest expanding fast food outlet.

The Spanish food boom is being fuelled by Hispanic culture in America. Hispanics are now the largest minority group, overtaking African Americans last year, and have successfully integrated into mainstream culture with stars such as Jennifer Lopez. We will also be drinking more brandy, buying fewer pairs of jeans and wearing fewer suits.

Brandy sales have come from nowhere five years ago to become a $1bn (£650m) market in America thanks to rap stars such as P Diddy and Busta Rhymes. They have made no secret of their preference for the drink, and Rhymes had a hit last year with his single, "Pass the Courvoisier". Young blacks now make up 60 to 85 per cent of the Brandy market.

But there is one thing Europe is giving back to America - sex. Mr Tchong's report notes a rise in "porno chic", or sexual imagery used by companies to sell their products. In particular, he notes beer makers associating their brand with bikini clad girls.

Mr Tschong said: "Certain trends particularly in clubbing, electronics and music are born in Britain but America remains very powerful particularly when it comes to food."