New trends on the food scene and old favourites making a comeback

IN the past year, our lives have been changed drastically, including our eating habits, but for the coming year, the aim is to get back on track, boost our immunity and keep healthy. There are some new trends on the food scene and some old favourites are making a real comeback. Here are just some of the names we will be hearing this year on the health food scene:

Postbiotics is the new thing

Reports suggest that one of the names we’ll be hearing more from now on is postbiotics. These are the end product of the fermentation carried out in the gut by probiotics and are believed to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits and could help to protect the immune system. They will be used in supplements and food products and are present in products such as kefir and sauerkraut.

Artificial intelligence for food processes

There are more and more substances being created thanks to artificial intelligence which can be used in foods. Imagine a protein which is identical to dairy protein but is animal-free. This can allow for the creation of ice-cream or cheeses which are vegan friendly. Artificial intelligence has already been used to create an egg for exactly that purpose, or milk which is hard to tell apart from the real thing.

Eat up your microgreens

In the past year, our lives have been changed drastically, including our eating habits, but for the coming year, the aim is to get back on track, boost our immunity and keep healthy.

One of the names we will be hearing this year on the health food scene is ‘microgreens’. Already popular, these are the ‘baby versions’ of plants like carrots and broccoli.

The number of microgreens available and the variety is now increasing, including radishes, beets, celery, peas, spinach and cabbages, all of them full of nutrients, in fact, it has been suggested that they have 40 times more than the traditional mature variety. Mustard and cress have been popular for decades in many countries, but they are trending now, so watch out for more of them in salads and smoothies as well as sandwiches.

Kelp for your health

Kelp has been used in oriental cooking for thousands of years and made its way into the world’s kitchen more recently, mainly in dried form. Now, we are likely to see more fresh kelp in dishes, as it contains minerals such as calcium and B vitamins.

It is high in antioxidant minerals which can help to fight stress, improve your cardiovascular health and prevent cancer.

It is also low in calories and contains a natural fibre which studies suggest can help to stop the gut from absorbing fat. It may help to prevent diabetes and obesity.

It can be eaten like a salad or blended into vegetable juices, as well as being used as seasoning.

However, we shouldn’t eat too much as it contains iodine, which if consumed in excess can overstimulate the thyroid.

Reap the benefits of avocados

As well as the new trends on the food scene, some old favourites have made a comeback. We live in a lovely warm climate, which has also become home to one of nature’s healthiest fruits: the avocado.

Avocados are rich in nutrients and a great source of vitamins: C, E, K, and B-6, as well as magnesium, and potassium, they also have beta-carotene and omega-3 fatty acids.

The beneficial fats help to keep you full and calm your appetite.

Avocados contribute to healthy skin, better heart condition and sight, good bone health, lowering the risk of depression, improve digestion, help to detox and have numerous other benefits. Enjoy them in salads, smoothies, shakes or on toast and begin to reap the benefits.

Green tea for health

Green tea, native to China and India, has been consumed for its health benefits for centuries globally, and has now gained popularity throughout the world.

Tea is brewed from the dried leaves of a bush called Camellia sinensis and the type of tea depends on the level of oxidation. Green tea is made from unoxidized leaves and is hardly processed, meaning it contains for beneficial ingredients.

It was traditionally used to control bleeding and heal wounds, aid digestion, improve heart and mental health, and regulate body temperature, but recent studies suggest it could help with a variety of needs from weight loss to Alzheimer’s disease, so get sipping!

Try out some of these new trends on the food scene.