There are a ton of different articles and lists going around on the “[insert number] hottest food trends of 2015” or “predicted food trends for 2016” and so on. I love reading that stuff – it helps to get some different perspectives on nutrition-related topics and to see what people are buzzing about. That said, there are always things that don’t make the lists that I think should, and vice versa. Here are a few:
the benefits of eggs (or, #putaneggonit) – eggs are one of the most inexpensive sources of high quality protein, and are also packed with a ton of vitamins and minerals like choline, vitamin A and B12. They’re super versatile and easy to throw into salads, scramble with some veggies or eat alone as a quick protein-packed snack. Their reputation as a high cholesterol food has waned a little, but I still get questions from patients all the time on whether they should avoid eggs because of cholesterol concerns. My answer is almost always no, but do try to choose organic or at the very least, cage free if possible. Word on the street is that the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee will not enforce the previous recommendations on limiting dietary cholesterol intake (currently no more than 300 mg/day) when they finally release the updated guidelines this year because most evidence shows the relationship between consumption of dietary cholesterol and serum cholesterol to be nil.
sprouted grain english muffin, mashed avocado, hard boiled egg + greens
an end to the term “clean eating” – if there is any term in the health, food and nutrition-related world that drives me a little nutty, it’s “clean eating.” It has no real definition, but insinuates that one way of eating (presumably, the opposite of “clean”) must be “dirty.” Putting this kind of negative spin on any type of diet, food or foods is not my jam, and depending on how it’s defined, can set an impossibly high standard of only eating whatever is thought to be “clean.” Terms like this can often serve as a gateway to or mask existing disordered eating habits, because they can make the diet super restrictive and are not reflective of real life (which, in my opinion, should involve cake and cookies from time to time). Here’s a great post from a fellow RD who echos my thoughts perfectly.
instead, a focus on whole, real foods – this is part of what the term “clean eating” seemed to start out as – diets rich in whole, real foods and less processed stuff – before it blew up into a cult-like diet plan of sorts. There is nothing better for the body than fresh vegetables, fruits, minimally processed whole grains, nuts/seeds and legumes as well as organic and/or local lean proteins and dairy (in moderation). Reducing packaged, processed foods in the diet and focusing more on these whole foods fuels the body with more quality nutrients. This is beneficial to overall health, the prevention of chronic disease and some cancers as well as athletic performance. So really, you can’t go wrong.
bowl love – bowls packed with nutrient-dense foods from kale to seaweed, acai to oats and toppings from avocado to hemp seeds, I love this trend and think it will continue to grow in 2016. These are a great way to spice up any meal and can be really easy to put together with a little planning (e.g., roasting veggies ahead of time, making a big batch of quinoa or beans, chopping kale). When I make a bowl, I always try to include leafy greens (1-2 cups), another cruciferous veggie or two (like Brussels sprouts or cauliflower), a whole grain or complex carbohydrate like sweet potato or quinoa and a protein source like egg, wild salmon, tofu or beans. These combinations make for a super filling, satisfying and nutrient-packed meal.
this bowl – kale, quinoa, sweet potato, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, bell pepper, black-eyed peas, avocado + hemp seeds
mindfulness – I talked about this in one of my previous posts, and think it’s worth repeating here (much to the pleasure of my yogini self). Mindful eating – that is, using physical cues like hunger, taste, texture, smell, etc. instead of emotions and being more “in the moment” when eating – can be extremely helpful both for weight loss and weight management. Slowing down during meals (and heck, during life) also brings a whole new level of enjoyment to the eating (and living) process.
i’m pretty pumped for what 2016 will bring on the nutrition research front (just think of all the news in the past year!) and what it will mean for all of us. #yaynutrition