Eat well, live well

Lutho Pasiya

Positive food choices can impact your body, mind, lifestyle and the environment

AS WE enter 2022, the world is anticipating a fresh new year. With many more people focused on health than they may have been a year ago, this exciting awareness is affecting people’s food choices in a very positive way. This may also beneficially impact nutrition, lifestyle choices, and the environment, shaping 2022 into a bright, fresh year!

We spoke to specialist dietitians Mbali Mapholi and Yuri Bhaga as well as Coyne Healthcare integrative health coach Laura Johnston on healthy food trends to look out for this year and below is what they said.

Bhaga’s predictions Foods for better immunity

The pandemic has highlighted the importance of strong immunity. One of the best ways to support a healthy immune system is through a healthy varied and balanced diet. With a focus on micronutrients from fruits and vegetables. Spices such as turmeric and curcumin have also been gaining popularity.

Plant-based foods

This trend started gaining traction a few years ago and it does not look like it will be slowing down anytime soon. While previously it seems there was a big push to go to the extreme and many people swapping over to veganism, now it seems there is more flexibility. This is great in that it encourages people to try something new, increase their plant foods, reduce their animal based foods, all without feeling overly pressured. This can be seen mainly for dairy products as well as protein sources. This is a great shift not only for environmental purposes but for health benefits (specifically heart health) as well.

Health-focused fast foods

Initially, these types of stores and restaurants were sought after in small pockets across the country for a very small subset of the population. In the last while, however, the demand for these establishments has grown and they have been popping up in bigger cities all over the country. It will be exciting to see the new more health-conscious options that will be available and competing with the likes of other “typical” eat-out establishments.

Laura Johnston’s predictions Medicinal plants

I see a growing interest in botanicals (medicinal plants) for immune health such as ginger, turmeric, and echinacea; minerals like magnesium; vitamin C (particularly highly absorbable Liposomal vitamin C); and medicinal mushrooms (those high in alpha glucans like AHCC).

TURMERIC has been gaining popularity. | TAMANNA RUME Pexels

Fibre

Fibre is also becoming increasingly important for weight management and is now being added to functional food products.

Super ingredients

Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, antioxidants, zeaxanthin, and collagen are all important for healthy ageing. Try PQQ (pyrroloquinoline Quinone), a nutrient for those wanting to optimise mitochondrial health, mental cognition and shield against cellular ageing.

Echinacea. | NATALIA JONES Unsplash

Mapholi’s predictions Alcohol-free drinks

We will see an expansion in the alcohol-free drinks options. Post pandemic isolation has created a growing interest in health and well-being, causing a surge in both functional beverages and alcohol-free drinks. Many people understand the negative effects of excessive alcohol drinking and as an attempt to reduce alcohol intake they will consider alcohol-free options.

Brain supporting foods

Mental health has become a top priority. We don’t see that slowing down anytime soon. We will still see an interest in foods that support mental health. These foods include a wide range of nutrients such as organic 3 fatty acids.

Healthy frozen and easy to make food options

Most people started cooking from home during the pandemic lockdown years and we don’t see this changing in 2022. There will be a continued growth interest to cook more foods from home. However, time constraints can be limiting which we see more households seeking more healthy frozen and easy to cook food options.