While we’re excited to be looking forward at what trends are up and coming for 2018, it’s also fun to look back on the new foods and health actions that permeated our wellness culture over the past year. Here’s what wellness experts were obsessed with in 2017:
1. Coconut yogurt
I’m OBSESSED with coconut yogurt. I’m not talking the coconut non-dairy yogurt you get at the grocery store, I’m talking about $25 a jar yogurt from Coconut Cult. Yup, you read that right…. In general, I love that we are embracing full-fat yogurt! Not only is this food loaded with probiotics, but it’s also a super-satisfying treat. The high price is due to the super high-quality probiotic strains and the fresh, high-quality coconuts. They don’t use any sugar, or any filler, which is really hard to find in store-bought yogurt, especially non-dairy ones. If you have digestive issues, this is for you!
2. Veggie noodles
I truly, hands down, love spiralizing EVERYTHING! I’m all about zucchini, cucumbers, squash, and literally anything else that I can turn into a noodle! You don’t have to just replace traditional spaghetti and red sauce with veggie noodles—it’s fun to get creative with them and try new things. For instance, baking squash noodles or using cinnamon and maple syrup to make a sweet side dish are some of my favorites. And veggie noodles were genius in getting people to eat more vegetables. I love that if you mix a veggie noodle, like zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice, with their grain counterpart, like spaghetti or brown rice, you automatically get double the volume and nutrient density, without overeating. Check out my Beet Noodle Salad recipe here.
3. Instant Pot
My favorite healthy food trend has got to be the surge of the Instant Pot. I love that people are getting back in the kitchen making old-fashioned meals like soups and stews with the aid of this super-fast appliance that has changed my life. As a busy entrepreneur, I love how I can come home from work and whip up a slow-cooked meal like pulled pork or beef stew in less than an hour. Find it on Amazon here.
4. Mindful eating
Everyone agrees that mindfulness is in style! Mindful eating became important and ‘cool’ this year. While eating mindfully is mental, it can have real physical effects and can help people lose weight and achieve their health and wellness goals. I just hope that this is a trend that’s here to stay because it is such an important component of achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I know you don’t think you can meditate but try! Just five minutes a day of sitting still and letting your mind rest will do wonders. Maybe even try it before each meal (hint: your food will taste better if you’re relaxed!).
5. Adaptogens
This year saw an increased interest in adaptogens. With the overuse of modern medications to deal with the effects of stress, it’s nice to have less-toxic alternatives available. Adaptogenic herbs have been in use for thousands of years across centuries and cultures, which strengthens the evidence for their use. Some of their many qualities include boosting the immune system, increasing endurance, increasing mental focus, and relieving anxiety. My personal favorite is Ashwagandha. The fastest and most effective way to get this adaptogen is in the form of Stress Relief Complex found here. I use it daily!
6. Globally inspired flavors
I’m beyond excited by the trend toward a more global world cuisine. There is so much we can learn about one another through the offering of food. Food has the amazing capacity to build bridges instead of walls. Beyond the warmth of sharing a cultural perspective, many of these foods are full of healing spices and invite us to eat things that we might normally overlook such as beans and whole intact grains. I encourage you to look for spices you might not have tried – my favorites are cardamom and garam masala.
7. Turmeric lattes
I’m so happy to have introduced golden/turmeric milk lattes to my 21-Day Body and Mind Refresh for their amazing anti-inflammatory properties. I love the health benefits that turmeric brings, and it’s a cozy, caffeine-free option when you don’t want coffee or tea. Here’s my favorite recipe.
8. Community gardens
There’s a rise in backyard and community gardening. A recent statistic reveals that 35% of all households in America, nearly 42 million households, are growing food at home or in a community garden, which is up overall by 17% in the past five years. This is great news, as growing our own food has significant health benefits as well as environmental benefits.
So those 8 trends made their mark this year. What do you think 2018 will bring?