Health and wellbeing: All's well that eats well

The healthy eating trend bubble isn’t going to burst anytime soon, so it pays to give plenty of choice for every dietary requirement

Be it dairy-free, sugar-free or gluten-free, low fat, low salt, low sugar or protein-boosting, health and wellbeing products are in high demand.

Let’s start with the biggest health trend in recent years and one that continues to rise: veganism. Veganuary saw a record-breaking 560,000 people sign up earlier this year and many of those continue to choose vegan options beyond January. And with Deliveroo stating its vegan takeaway orders rocketed by 163% between January 2020 and 2021, according to The Vegan Society, you need to get onboard, if you haven’t already.

CLEAN EATING

Plant-based eating is becoming more mainstream but vegan options shouldn’t just be about replacing or replicating the meat factor. Though there is some demand for plant-based alternatives to meat dishes, consumers are increasingly looking for choices that put vegetables at the heart and that have short, ‘natural’ ingredients lists that are easily understandable.

Make sure your vegan offering is visually appealing and tastes good, with a balance of flavours and different textures, and the right amount of protein. An easy starting point is breakfast as consumers considering moving towards a vegan diet often start with the first meal of the day. Try vegan waffles or pancakes with a fresh fruit sauce, banana cinnamon rolls, tofu scramble or a vegan breakfast burrito filled with scrambled tofu, black beans, salsa and avocado, packed with protein for a great start to the day.

Plant-based snacks are huge right now. Pea crisps, protein bars, jerky… having a readymade selection, such as new Pea Pops and Eat Natural protein bars, or home-made choices is key to meet this increasing demand.

THE GUT OF IT

Considering that 70% of the body’s immune cells and 90% of serotonin are found in our gut, it pays to focus on dishes that support gut health for overall health and wellbeing. Think reduced-fat and sugar, plant-based, lean-protein and high-fibre foods. Try including fermented ingredients, such as yogurt, miso and kefir, and high-fibre ones, such as beans, oats, berries and bananas, in your dishes. Yogurt, miso and kefir are all top probiotic foods too, as are kombucha, sauerkraut, Cheddar, Swiss cheese and green olives, which are essential for a healthy gut. Products containing kefir and kombucha are now readily available.

BODY AND MIND

Mental health is front of mind right now and people are increasingly turning to solutions for general wellbeing that they can manage themselves through diet. There are a number of natural ingredients that have been linked to reducing anxiety, boosting the wellbeing feeling and providing energy. Try sugar-free options, natural energy drinks and take a look at adaptogenic drinks. Getting the name from their ability to adapt to what the body needs, adaptogens is a group of certain herbs – including rosemary, ginseng and aloe vera, and some mushrooms – which can help with stress relief and also act as a stimulant, being a healthier alternative to caffeine and sugar.

TIME FOR CBD?

CBD has been around in health supplements for a while but is increasingly being added to food and drink because of its potential therapeutic uses and wellbeing effects. As public awareness increases, it may be worth trialling CBD-infused products to give your venue standout appeal. If you want to bake with it, use it with stronger-tasting ingredients, such as chocolate, as it doesn’t taste particularly good.

SUPERCHARGED

For years we’ve known about the benefits of superfoods in our diet – mainly to support immunity – and that hasn’t changed. What’s new is going back to basics by using turmeric and ginger. Team with citrus fruits for solid immunity boosting.

You can’t go wrong with using good old-fashioned fruit and vegetables either. After all, they’re the first thing people think of when choosing healthy options and are a key driver of sales. How quick and simple does that make it for you? Ways to include them on your menu are endless – crisp salads, fruity juices, flavour-packed smoothies and sandwiches bursting with freshness. Or simply a bowl of fresh fruit or a snack of fresh veg with a protein-packed dip. Find a way to throw in vitamin D-rich mushrooms and you can’t go wrong.

FREE FROM…

When it comes to excluding certain food groups, 1 in 10 people say they avoid at least one food group because of lifestyle choices and they perceive free-from products to be healthier than their conventional counterparts. See if you can extend your ‘free-from’ offering beyond the usual gluten and dairy to show awareness. Offer wheat and egg-free foods too and make sure you clearly label them all so customers can see how you cater to a variety of dietary requirements and they can safely enjoy your dishes.

OAT PROTEIN BARS

Makes 12

Mix 90g rolled oats, 120g oat flour, 1 tsp each of cinnamon and baking powder and ¼ tsp of salt in a bowl. In another bowl combine 2 mashed bananas with 60ml soy milk and 1-2 tbsp of maple syrup, then pour over the dry ingredients and mix well. Spoon the mix into a baking dish, making sure it’s about 3-4cm thick, and sprinkle over toppings such as whole and chopped nuts, seeds or chopped dried fruit. Bake for about 20 minutes at 180˚C until firm and lightly golden, then slice, cool and serve.