By Andrea Park
The emphasis on maintaining a healthy lifestyle has been growing more rapidly over the past several years. With 2016 consisting of newly popularized foods, ranging from avocados and cauliflower to smoothies and acai bowls, healthy food choices were a major trend. So what are the newest healthy trends for 2017? Here are a few predictions: bean pastas, veggie chips, seaweed, quinoa, and purple foods.
Bean pasta? Yes. Bean pasta. Beans are predicted to amount to an even higher status in 2017. With the creation of alternative pastas made grain-free, these new bean pastas will be made from chickpeas, lentils, and other legumes that are gaining ground in the health field, as a result of their high amounts of protein and fiber. Expect to see plenty of bean pasta choices on the shelves this year. Ranging from chickpea fusilli to black bean rotini, bean pastas are guaranteed to attract many people with their healthy elements and delicious flavors.
Veggie chips are considered another growing superfood in the health industry. Forget about the veggie snacks that hardly contain real vegetables in them, but let’s focus on the healthy veggie chips with actual vegetables and healthy oils. The increasing popularity of veggie chips is going to make it accessible for one to make his or her own chips at home, with ingredients like kale, brussel sprouts, and even sweet potatoes. Consuming seaweed as a sort of chip or cracker is another escalating trend. Seaweed is low in calories, but high in nutrients, making it a valued food. Seaweed can be bought in small or large packages and can be enjoyed during a meal or even as a snack.
Another 2017 trend that has already settled in is the superfood quinoa. Quinoa’s health benefits have been spread worldwide, making it one of the world’s most popular health foods. Quinoa is gluten-free, high in protein, and one of the few plant foods that contain all nine essential amino acids. In addition, it is high in fiber, iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin B, and vitamin E. Quinoa is also known to contain large amounts of flavonoids, including quercetin and kaempferol, which have numerous health benefits. These two flavonoids have proven to posses anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anti-cancer effects in animal studies.
Lastly, purple foods are anticipated to set an influential trend in 2017. We can expect to see more purple cauliflower, asparagus, potatoes, rice, and even cereal, according to Whole Foods’ 2017 food-trend list. Purple vegetables not only boost the food’s healthfulness, but also makes for a presentable meal. The purple color comes from anthocyanins, which is an antioxidant that has been linked to lowering risks of heart disease and certain cancers.
With all of these options to live a healthier life, what will your top health foods be for 2017?
