What we eat and what we want to eat, travels at lightning speed now. So what was trending even a mere 5 months ago may have been replaced by some other new food or way of eating now.
There are choices galore, and it pays (for our health) to stay on top of these trends.
Move Over Organic Food - Try Biodynamic Food
Organic food has been the benchmark of eating right for a while now, but the focus seems to be shifting towards another form of farming and a way of eating that’s even better for us.
Biodynamics is the new buzzword. It’s a uniquely holistic approach to organic agriculture and follows a holistic, ecological, and ethical approach to farming, gardening, food, and nutrition.
Biodynamic farms deliver food made by the most environmentally-friendly form of farming (think of it like organic on steroids). Crops are completely free of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, and the farms are entirely self-sustaining. The entire farm exists as a single entity without the need for outside inputs.
Worldwide, niche and aware farmers are supporting this movement and helping multiple bands launch biodynamic products like wine, olive oil, frozen entrees, pasta sauce, juice, rice and tea.
My verdict: This new movement sounds promising as it is equally good both for you as well as the world.
Move Over Bento Boxes - Enter Buddha Bowls
Bento boxes had world’s attention for a while.
Now Buddha Bowls called by different names - macro bowls, power bowls, grain bowls, veggie bowls are claiming lunch and dinner menus in trendy restaurants and cafes world over.
I love them as they are great for portion control, and also a great way of getting your proteins, carbs, fibre and nutrients (vitamins and minerals) in the right proportion, in one quick meal.
My verdict: Go for them!
Move Over Paleo Diet - Try Paleo Zone Diet
Paleo (where it is advised we only eat foods that can either be hunted or gathered, such as meat, vegetables and berries) diet has been ruling the roost for a while and Zone diet (is about eating a certain balance of macronutrients - 30% protein, 30% fat and 40% carbs in every meal) to get in a “zone” for specific health benefits) has seen a big hype lately too.
But what is catching everyone’s interest these days is a variant that combines the pluses of both these diets, that combines positives of both.
My verdict: It will be interesting to see how long this one lasts, before the next big fad takes over.
Move Over Green Foods - Try Purple Foods
Green foods have always been equated with health. Now there is a new contender - purple foods.
It seems the future of modern cuisine is purple, as these foods can pack a powerful disease-prevention punch.
Purple kale, purple carrots, purple cauliflower, purple broccoli and purple potatoes are all amazingly rich in anthocyanins. These compounds have amazing disease-fighting properties and work against cancer, ageing, inflammation, and neurological diseases. They also provide armour against memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease. They not only slow brain decline, but can actually reverse it and improve memory.
My verdict: Eat the accessible purple foods like eggplants, purple grapes, and beets.
Move Over Mediterranean Diet - Try The Japanese Diet
It was as recent as 2016 that the Japanese diet began emerging as a competitor to the Mediterranean’s healthy crown. Worldwide today sales of Miso are up and people are lapping up this cuisine as much for taste as for its health giving attributes.
The Japanese belief in green tea, healthier grains (short grain, sticky rice), lots of soups and broths, seafood, low oil usage, very few desserts and sweets and smaller portions are all worth emulating.
My verdict: I am all for this traditional, extremely sensible way of eating, and the way the Japanese treat and eat their food.
(The writer is a nutritionist, weight management consultant and health writer based in Delhi. She is the author of Don't Diet! 50 Habits of Thin People (Jaico) and Ultimate Grandmother Hacks: 50 Kickass Traditional Habits for a Fitter You (Rupa).)
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