2019 Healthy Food Trends
Eating well and living a healthy lifestyle is always trendy,
but it is always at its trendiest at the start of the New Year. Every one’s
resolutions are at an all-time high; goals to eat better, to lose weight and to
even exercise more. They are all set with good intentions on December 31st
and ready to take action January 1st! If you are like many
Americans, who have set better eating goals, you’re probably wondering what the
big trends of the new season are. Keep reading below to find out what or how
you could be eating in the New Year.
Food trends and diet fads may come and go, but one thing
should always remain the same, your safety. If one of your New Year’s
resolutions this year is to live independently with more confidence and more safety,
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and accomplish your first resolution of 2019 in excellent safety style!
Everyday Health[1]
asked registered dietitian nutritionists to offer their projections for fad
foods for 2019. From keto-friendly foods to inventive nut milks, there are a
lot of new trends headed our way! Check them all out by reading below.
1. Eats With Prebiotic and Probiotic Perks
for Better Gut Health.
When it comes to getting your fill of
gut-healthy probiotics, you now have many options beyond yogurt. Lifeway Kefir
spreadable Farmer Cheese is strained from kefir and contains a dozen strains of
probiotics. And then there’s Farmhouse Culture’s Kraut Krisps, made from, well,
sauerkraut, and oatmeal with heat-resistant probiotics from ThinkThin. Standard
probiotic foods include kombucha, kvass, kimchi, and plain kefir itself. Don’t
forget about prebiotics, which feed that friendly gut bacteria. Kellogg’s Happy
Inside cereal provides both pre- and probiotics, plus fiber to additionally
boost gut health. “We are learning more and more about the benefits of a
healthy microbiome, so there’s a lot of interest about ways to feed the
trillions of bacteria in our guts,” says Samantha Cassetty, RD,. The microbiome
is the community of bacteria in the gut that may play a role in the development
of health conditions such as diabetes, eczema, cancer, and depression,
according to the Genetic Science Learning Center at the University of Utah.
2. Foods With Sustainable Benefits So You
Can Benefit the Planet, Not Just Your Body.
“Do good” is a mantra many companies, small
and big alike, are standing by these days. General Mills, for instance, set a
goal to sustainably source 10 of its top ingredients by the year 2020. It’s
currently meeting 76 percent of that goal, with all of its palm oil, 99 percent
of its fiber packaging, 81 percent of its U.S. sugar beets, and 67 percent of
its U.S. dry milled corn sustainably sourced. This notably impacts its Cheerios
and Nature Valley lines.
Also, the bottled beverage company Rebbl
ethically employs workers and donates 2.5 percent of its net sales to reduce
the risk of exploitation and human trafficking. And don’t forget about
sustainably sourced eggs. “Vital Farms’ hens are allowed to forage freely, and
this keeps the pastures healthy and means harmful chemicals aren’t necessary,”
says Cassetty. “It’s a win for the animals, a win for the environment, and a
win for egg lovers because pasture-raised eggs have more vitamins and minerals
than eggs produced in other ways.”
3. Convenience Superfoods for When You’re
On the Go.
It’s now easier than ever to eat healthy
when you’re in a hurry. Don’t have time to prepare sweet potato toast from
scratch? Caulipower just launched frozen slices that you just pop into the
toaster oven. You also have no excuses to skip the whole grains, since you can
buy single-serving bowls of microwave quinoa from Minute Rice. And if you're
looking for a little extra nutritional oomph from your nut butter, Probar
offers single-serve packets of almond butter with berry powder (think acai and
more) for extra antioxidants. “We are seeing a trend toward more plant-based
eating and people wanting whole-food ingredients, but consumers are still busy
and need convenience,” says Bannan. “I’m happy to see new products that make it
easier for consumers to embrace healthy eating on the go.”
4. New Plant-Based Milks From Surprising
Sources.
Looking for a plant-based milk? Your
options now include much more than almond and soy milk. From banana to walnut
to hemp, hazelnut, oat, and flaxseed milk, products now exist to suit almost any
dietary preference and need. "People always love a trend, and plant-based
is the hottest trend right now, fueling the desire for multiple plant-based
milk sources,” says Kyle. “Certain plant-based milks, like banana milk or oat
milk, are appealing to consumers because they are generally free of many of the
top eight allergens that are typically present in more traditional milks like
almond or soy.” Look for oat milk from Oatly, walnut and hazelnut milks from
Elmhurst 1925, pecan milk from MALK, flax milk from Manitoba Milling Co., and
banana milk from Mooala. Wondering why your alternative milk’s label says
“milked nuts” or “malk”? It’s because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) is in the process of likely banning all nondairy milks from using “milk”
in their names. Note that while banana milk is delicious and provides nutrients
like blood-pressure-helping potassium, you’ll typically get more satiating
protein from a nut- or seed-based milk. For an easily accessible source of
protein, opt for calcium-rich dairy milk. Check the nutrition facts label to
choose a milk that meets your nutritional needs.
5. Innovative Lactose-Free Dairy Products
That Go Beyond Milk.
Food for people with specific dietary needs
is plentiful right now. That includes lactose-free dairy — and we’re not
talking just milk. You can now find lactose-free cottage cheese, kefir, and
yogurt from Green Valley Creamery. And Cabot Cheese boasts a “lactose-free”
label on several of its cheeses, including aged Cheddar and Colby Jack. “Certain
health conditions may prevent [some people] from enjoying traditional forms of
food, like certain bovine dairy-based milk, and they are increasingly
interested in the alternative options coming to the marketplace,” says Kyle.
6. More Keto-, Paleo- and Low-FODMAP-Friendly
Foods.
Many people are either interested in
specific eating styles or increasingly aware of their own dietary
sensitivities. That’s why you’ll find many convenience foods tailored to
low-FODMAP eating patterns — meaning these foods avoid ingredients that tend to
trigger IBS symptoms, such as onion, garlic, and even gluten. Fody offers
low-FODMAP salsa, ketchup, salad dressings, and more, while Rachel Pauls sells
low-FODMAP bars, jerky, and spices. Even Prego offers a Sensitive Recipe pasta sauce
sans onions and garlic. “I think we’re finally moving away from [only] calories
and numbers,” says Cynthia Sass, RD, MPH. “My clients want to know more about
the functional benefits of foods, including how they impact digestive health,
immunity, sleep, energy, and mental focus. More consumers are now connecting
food choices with everyday quality-of-life outcomes, and labels that offer more
information can help make that easier.” You’ll also find food labels promoting
specific dietary patterns, such as paleo and keto. Think grain-free paleo snack
puffs from Lesser Evil and multiple brands offering keto-specific products. Of
course, be sure to talk to your doctor before trying any restrictive diet plan,
including keto and paleo!
7. Protein-Powered Foods to Help You Crush
Your Next Gym Sesh.
Protein is all the rage, and here’s why: It
helps keep you fuller for longer, helping to fight the urge to snack all day
long and also providing fuel for your workouts. You’ll find YQ by Yoplait plain
yogurt made with ultra-filtered milk, offering 17 grams of protein per
5.3-ounce single-serve container; collagen-based coffee creamer from Vital
Proteins; and ready-to-drink soups with collagen protein from Zupa Noma.
8. More Classic, Go-to Snacks in Healthier
Whole-Grain Varieties.
You won’t find only the typical whole
grains in your bread, pasta, and snack food nowadays. Think of lentils, rice,
and pea protein blended in a gluten-free pasta from Modern Table, sorghum-based
gluten-free pretzels from Quinn Snacks, and soup featuring whole-grain pasta
from Campbell’s. “People recognize that whole grains are much more nutritious
than refined grains, so they’re prioritizing these when shopping for packaged
products,” says Cassetty. “One brand I love is Quinn Snacks. Since they’re made
with whole grains, I feel good about giving them to my son and recommending
them to clients looking for a healthier snack, in moderation. I also like their
microwave popcorn because unlike other brands, the toppings are added after
it’s popped.”
9. Packaged Foods That Make It Easier to
Eat More Plants.
The plant-based packaged-food category is
more expansive than ever. “The plant-based movement ties into a number of
trending consumer priorities, including health protection, environmental
stewardship, and ethically driven eating,” Sass says. “My clients constantly
tell me they feel better physically and feel good about how they are spending
their food dollars when they eat more plant-based foods.” When it comes to new
finds, think pumpkin seed butter from 88 Acres, algae oil from Thrive, chia
seed oil from Lekithos, and even dark-chocolate-covered chickpeas from Biena.
10. Almost-Ready-to-Eat Healthy Breakfasts.
Frozen and other quick-cooking lunches and
dinners have been on offer for years. But convenient, almost ready-to-eat
balanced breakfasts haven’t been as plentiful in the supermarket aisles — that
is, until now. Many of these are in bowl and mug form. You can pick up a Dr.
Praeger’s bowl with egg whites and or an Amy’s Kitchen bowl with tofu, quinoa,
meatless sausage, and vegetables. And Kodiak Cakes now sells whole-grain
flapjack microwave mug cups. “Health-conscious consumers don’t want to eat
bagels, pastries, or sugary cereals for breakfast,” says Sass. “I think we’ll
see more products that marry nutrition and convenience, and fit a category I
refer to as ‘homemade for you,’ meaning simple ingredients you could have
combined yourself but didn’t have to because someone prepared them for you.”
No matter your dietary restrictions, needs or ambitions,
2019’s health trends are looking promising for everyone. Eat well, live well,
right? Wrong! While eating well will most definitely benefit your health, if
you have no personal protection to keep you safe, while you enjoy the new food
trends of 2019, you can’t live well. Maybe you haven’t thought of it until now,
but home-safety may be a New Year resolution you need to adopt, especially if
you are an aging senior who is living independently. Should you encounter a
life threatening emergency and were unable to reach for help, what would you
do? With Life Alert Protection, your safety woes can melt away like butter.
Simply slip on their lightweight, waterproof emergency pendant around your neck
or wrist and immediately harness the power to summon an emergency medical
response fast with just one touch of a button. With a New Year stretched ahead
of us, why not ensure that 365 of your days are spent completely secure with
the safety and security of Life Alert by your side. Happy New Year! Call
1-800-513-2934 for a free Life Alert brochure.
Works Cited:
1.
Gorin, Amy RDN. “The Top 10 Healthy-Food Trends
to Expect in 2019.” Everyday Health.
18 December 2018. <https://www.everydayhealth.com/pictures/top-healthy-food-trends/>.