Hi all! As we wrap up a new year, it’s good to note there are many emerging health and wellness trends that are predicted to soar during 2017. The nutrition field is continually growing as more scientific evidence emerges regarding the healthy, whole foods we know and love, and some we aren’t so familiar with. Here is my personalized opinion of what health and wellness trends you should expect to see as we head into the New Year.
No 1.
Anti-inflammatory foods. Can you continue to say turmeric? Anti-inflammatory spices have been all the rage this year and I know will continue to be as we head into 2017. These spices help reduce the oxidation and cell damage from every day life or chronic disease. Whole foods (fruits and vegetables), spices, especially turmeric (add to milks, lattes, teas), yes please!
No 2.
Sprouted foods. Sprouting is definitely something we will be seeing more of in 2017 as companies are making sprouted versions of your favorite foods. Sprouting whole grains, seeds and legumes increases the bioavailability of vitamins and minerals, as well as helps consume some of the starch when the seed germinates and shoot “sprouts” from the seed or grain. Keep on the lookout for sprouted flours, protein powders, baked goods, and more!
No 3.
Plant protein. This very well may be my favorite emerging trend as more and more companies are gearing towards plant based foods as scientific evidence points to whole foods for longevity and quality of life. 2016 was declared the International Year of Pulses for a reason – beans are nothing new, but they are being reinvented in innovative and exciting ways. Look for the beans you know in 2017 made into pastas, spaghetti, roasted as a crunchy snack, and mashed into delicious spreads. You’ll also see many more varieties of plant based protein powders, i.e. hemp, rice, pea, etc. Nuts and seeds will continually reign as healthy go-to plant based protein snacks.
No 4.
Self love & Mindfulness. Celebrating bodies of all shapes and sizes is definitely trending as we head into the new year, along with self-care and self love. Self love isn’t selfish! Self care is crucial to a healthy wellbeing and helps us to better care for those we love. 2017 will also help you find your inner boss as start up companies are all the rage with the emergence of social media marketing – anyone, yes, you! Can follow your dreams of being a #girlboss with so much online opportunity. Mindfulness and meditation certainly aren’t new ideas but they are becoming more mainstream and for good reason. Meditation has shown in studies to increase the size of gray matter in our brains and has the ability to majorly reduce stress. This goes hand in hand with self-love – taking care of mind, body and spirit. Essential oils will likely take off as an ideal way to help manage stress, soothe anxiety, and much more.
No 5.
Healthy fats. Fats have certainly taken a beating in the past, but now scientific evidence is proving that fat indeed is crucial for a healthy body such as avocado, nuts, seeds, oils high in omega 3 fatty acids, ghee, and the list goes on. Healthy fats aid in digestion, inflammation, blood flow, and make up our cell walls. They also aid in insulin sensitivity and create a fuller feeling to help with weight loss. Low fat cheeses will likely dissipate from grocery stores shelves as well with emerging evidence about the positive effects of whole milk dairy on our health. We will definitely be seeing a wider acceptance of fats as a large part of a healthy diet as we head into 2017.
No 6.
Cooking. It’s strange to think of cooking as a trend, but did you know that many people amongst the population don’t cook in the kitchen daily or do very rarely? When cooking at home, you know the quality of the ingredients and are able to control the portion sizes of your meals, and it’s fun to put on some music and just cook! Many companies now like Blue Apron and Hello Fresh are making it easier to get into the kitchen by delivering everything you need at exact measurements to make a homemade, delicious and nutritious meal. If you’re a bit rusty in the kitchen, try out one of these meal services in 2017, or bookmark a few of your favorite recipes and set a goal to try a new recipe every week!
No 7.
Getting rid of “detoxes” and “cleanses.” I’m so glad these buzz words are being recognized as unreliable ways of getting healthier and I predict they will be replaced with whole, real foods in 2017. Getting back to basics with simple, fresh ingredients with consistency and treating the body with self respect brings true results. Bye bye, detox teas, 7 day juice cleanses and quick fixes!
Have you heard of any other emerging trends that you believe will take off in 2017? Let’s get the conversation going. Looking to get more personalized? Contact me to speak with a dietitian regarding your personal health and wellness goals for 2017.
