Last Updated on 7 March 2024 by Brisbane Livewell Clinic
A healthy diet seems more relevant than ever in this day and age. While foods for immune health are in demand, it’s not just for our physical health that we are changing our eating styles. Food choices for the health of the planet are also relevant in the wake of climate change. The majority of the foods trending in 2022 are plant-based, with collagen being the only exception. Here’s our pick for the Top Health Food and Drink trends for 2022
Adaptogens
Completely aligned with natural medicine, adaptogens that have been utilised in herbal medicines for thousands of years are now appearing in food-grade products. Albeit at lower doses, adaptogens offer the benefits of Food as Medicine for immunity and healthy stress response, helping to keep us ‘adaptable.’ Various kinds of Medicinal Mushrooms like Chaga, Lions Mane and Reishi are the best example for vitality and stress protecting effects, which are hallmark qualities of adaptogens. Expect to see coffee with added mushrooms, sold as ‘Mushroom Coffee’ in your local health food store.
Plant-based
Eating a diet rich in plants is what we advocate as natural medicine practitioners and it isn’t going unheard. Rather than following a vegan or vegetarian diet, many people are adjusting their animal product intake, to eat less in the space of a day or week. Nicknamed ‘reducetarianism’ many people are happy to follow this diet principle for the sake of climate change. This eating style will increase demand for new and interesting meatless products on the supermarket shelves more than just Meatless Mondays. Quality will come into question – so make sure to read the label and check that your meat-free option isn’t too full of cheap fillers like gluten.
Dairy-Free
Further to the plant-based movement, the demand for milk alternatives continues. Some new innovations like potato milk are expected to appear this year, alongside nut milk that hasn’t been commercialised yet – like pecan and pistachio. Another demand for dairy-free has spread into butter alternatives, using healthy spreads in place of margarine. Watermelon seed butter is the new kid on the block, alongside using nuts, seeds and chickpeas where butter once spread.
Zero Alcohol Beverages
Going Alcohol-free has never been easier socially, with an influx of non-alcoholic beverages already flooding the market (and supermarket). And it’s not just beer and wine that’s been altered to taste great without the ethanol. Alcohol-free spirits are being produced using fruits, flowers and herbs to create new and exciting flavours. Alcohol reduction or cessation is a big step towards better health and this trend is encouraging to see in the mainstream and for younger and older generations alike.
Collagen
Collagen has so much to offer that we’ve given it a blog of its own here. Already pretty popular, new products will be using collagen as an added ingredient to things like protein bars or bliss balls and anything associated with beauty and menopause. Marine collagen has been recognised as the most eco-friendly option as it reduces food waste by utilising parts of the fish that would otherwise be discarded.
Eat Well, Drink Well, Live Well
There’s plenty on offer this year to help you feel better than ever. Here at Brisbane Livewell Clinic, we love to chat about all things healthy food. We’re happy to advise on the best quality products and can help you add a thing or two to your weekly grocery list. Trying new things is fun – especially when the reward is better health. Here’s to truly Holistic Healthy food in 2022!
These Wellness Blogs may also interest you. Click HERE or HERE or HERE
