This year I doubled down on my hydration, drinking water from a giant water bottle and even adding salt to my water. I also blended cottage cheese into everything from ice cream to waffles while searching for foods to help relieve anxiety.
What's in store for us in 2024? Let's read the tea leaves.
1. Caffeine-free is the new sobriety.
Every time I read the health newsletters I subscribe to, I'm reminded that sleep is everything, from improving your skin to improving your memory and athletic performance to boosting your immune system. Caffeine, like alcohol, disrupts sleep for most people, especially when consumed in the afternoon, so for many young people who have already moved away from cocktail culture, the next frontier is a decaffeinated or low-caffeine lifestyle. .
An estimated 39% of coffee drinkers are actively trying to reduce their caffeine intake. According to recent research. Decaffeinated coffee and tea options have been around for decades, but they may not have been the most flavorful sip. Historically, decaf has been made using chemical extraction to remove caffeine, but newer blends involve soaking unroasted beans in an aqueous solution for several hours to open the beans and release the caffeine. I am making it possible to extract it. The beans are then dried and roasted.
Look for stronger decaf options next year. figgya beer made from organic roasted figs.
2. Alternative proteins from unexpected sources
Ever since peas, soybeans, rice, hemp, and algae entered our food supply as alternative proteins, people are looking for more plant-based options.
A recent entry into the food supply is a protein called (also known as) RuBisCo. ruby protein), harvested from a leafy plant called duckweed, requires 10 times less water than soybeans, 100 times less water than beef, and sequesters five times more carbon per acre than healthy forests. can do. Additionally, duckweed grows underwater, so it doesn't use any land at all. It can also be used in baking and as a meat substitute and contains all nine essential amino acids.
Mushrooms aren't surprising sources of protein, but the roots can be used in a variety of ways, and that's the next frontier for fungi. Mushroom roots are meat-free, highly nutritious, and do not require the stabilizers used in many vegan products.brand meety The company sells mushroom root nuggets, steaks, cutlets and jerky, but in the future it is expected to be used in applications such as deli meats, pork, gnocchi and even bread. Similar products are already used as leather substitutes.
And don't forget the seafood! consciously We sell plant-based bread rolls, rice balls, and poke bowls. Instead of tuna or salmon, the frozen food uses a combination of konnyaku (a starchy, fibrous root), pea skin fiber, and tomato-derived lycopene (which gives it its red color) for a convincing dish. is making. Whole Foods is adding spicy plant-based tuna rolls to its sushi menu, and Seed to Surf Market is selling canned “snow crab” made with enoki mushrooms.
3. Snacks to stabilize blood sugar levels
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 3 Americans, or 89 million people, have prediabetes, which increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Snacks made with ingredients that don't affect blood sugar levels, like almonds, pecans, cheese, avocado, eggs, and unsweetened Greek yogurt, seem to be everywhere these days.
good measures makes bars and chips that combine almonds with other low-glycemic ingredients, such as soy protein, pumpkin seeds and cheddar cheese, with less than 5 grams of net carbs.and good ideais based in Sweden and makes a drink that can lower blood sugar levels when taken with a meal.a study In overweight but otherwise healthy people, this beverage was found to lower blood sugar levels by 25% when consumed with a high-carbohydrate meal.
As with any supplement, consult your doctor before adding such products to your daily routine.
Four. better gluten free snacks
if you are nearby one third of Americans If you follow a gluten-free diet, you know that many snack foods found in gluten-free aisles are low in fiber and high in sweeteners. But that's about to change, thanks to a tiny seed called buckwheat. Despite its name, buckwheat is naturally gluten-free.
Buckwheat has many health benefits. For example, it contains all nine essential amino acids, keeps you full for longer, and contains magnesium, manganese, zinc, and B vitamins, which play a role in immune system function. If you like slurping soba, you've probably already tried soba.
Buckwheat is not new, but it has yet to make significant inroads into the mainstream food system. Next year, look for soba crackers, cookies, waffle mixes, and even “milk.” bam. You can cook it the same way you would make any other whole grain, either in a pot on the stove or in a slow cooker. Once cooked, use buckwheat in soups, grain bowls, chili, or even as a breakfast cereal.
5. Nixtamalization
When you enjoy chips and guacamole, you're munching on the next result. nixtamalization, or the process of cooking dried corn (corn) kernels by soaking them in a solution of water and lime (calcium hydroxide). Drain and rinse the corn, remove the outer covering of the kernels, and grind it to create a dough that can be used to make chips, tortillas, and tamales.
Nixtamalization, which has been used for many years in Mexico and Central America, changes the nutritional profile of corn-based foods, increasing vitamin B3 and iron, increasing calcium content, and increasing the amount of resistant starch. But you don't need to understand the process at all to enjoy crispy chips and delicious tortillas. Siete, tia lupita and Vista Hermosa using this traditional technique.
Whichever trend you try, we hope your 2024 is off to a healthy and delicious start.
