I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m a trendy person. I would really like to tell you otherwise. So I’m going to try to make up for it by telling you 7 health foods to add to your diet and they just happen to be trendy at the moment.
Unlike my outfit that is most likely trending last year. Or my clearance home decor items that I thought I got a great deal only later to find out I’m always one step behind the times.
Not that I try to keep up with trends.
Instead, I’d just like to sum up my life as classic. I like to stick with the trends that never seem to go away, or ones that definitely shouldn’t. Basic, simple, minimalist, clean, and more simply said ideas that have been around for hundreds of years.
No new fancy gadgets, accessories, crazy colors or ideas, just classic.
Yes, I may be trying to make myself sound more “hip” than I actually am. But bear with me.
classic health tips
My same philosophy on “trends” goes with foods. Can we all just stand up and support the classic health tips that we know in the depths of our bodies work and just skip all of the fad diets, thoughts and foods?
Because at the end of the day, trends last for a season, thus why I am always behind {yes, Pinterest crushes my soul a bit}. Instead, lets just focus on what is easy and simple and get healthy off of that. Because if I don’t have to keep up with anything and instead the trends just stay put I’m totally good with that. Can we say happy life?
So today I bring you the 7 health foods to add to your diet this year. Some seem quite trendy, bear with me. But the new trends are in and they state that what was once old thought is coming back. That health this year is about uniqueness, getting back to our roots and just eating clean.
No crazy diets, new thoughts or mega changes in the way we live. Just simple, realistic and easy health to satisfy your soul.
My challenge to you is to not look at these foods as trendy but rather health foods that have been around forever. Foods that we know to be healthy without any hidden artificial non-sense we’ve been living with for far to long. Foods to purchase one at a time (or all at once) and slowly just start adding to your existing diet.
No crazy changes, just steady improvements and in the end crazy success can come from that. See how this works?
So let’s get to that list and show you a few delicious ways to use them!
chia seeds
Chia seeds are tiny black seeds that gel when in contact with liquid. They are virtually taste-less and yet versatile. Chia seeds are also known to be one of the most nutrient dense foods on our planet. At one time they were even used as a form of currency because of their great value. Chia seeds contain over 40% of our recommended fiber per serving, a high dose of protein and the essential omega-3 fatty acids our bodies crave. All of this means that chia seeds pack quite the punch of energy and create high endurance in our bodies.
Research has found that the chia seed benefits are even greater than once realized. They have found benefit to promoting healthy skin, reducing the signs of agin, supporting the heart and digestive system, building stronger bones and muscles, decreasing the effects of blood sugar and boost your energy and metabolism. Just a tablespoon a day can make a lasting difference in our body. You can learn more about chia seeds in this post.
I prefer this brand of chia seeds and use them in smoothies, muesli or oatmeal, and topped on salads. I generally always replace poppy seeds in salad dressings and baked goods with chia seeds. My two favorite ways to use chia seeds:
Citrus Olive Oil Cake with Chia Seeds
Orange Creamsicle Chia Seed Pudding
turmeric
With the boom of golden milk, this wildly popular golden-orange herb could be one of the most healing foods we have. Some experts even considering turmeric or the compound in turmeric, curcumin to be more beneficial than pharmaceuticals. From fighting, preventing and even reversing disease, turmeric has so many healing properties that there have been over 6,235 peer-reviewed articles published proving its benefits.
So why is turmeric so powerful? It has massive anti-inflammatory effects. When looking at disease, all disease and even aging it begins with inflammation. So fighting inflammation is the key to longevity and disease prevention. It has been studied to have benefits beyond these drugs; anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants, chemotherapy, anti-coagulants, pain killers, diabetes drugs, arthritis medications, inflammatory bowel disease medications, cholesterol drugs, and steroids.
Basically if there was one thing you would do for your health this year, it would be adding turmeric.
You can find good turmeric here and use it in multiple ways. Most commonly known as the main spice in curry I prefer to use it in golden milk lattes, smoothies, salad dressings and/or just supplement with it. Here is one way to use turmeric:
hemp hearts
I like to think of hemp hearts as my natural flow regulator. They contain a compound called gamma linolenic acid (GLA) that has been proven to naturally balance hormones. Not to mention they also have a good balance of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids helping to promote good cardiovascular health.
They are rich in fiber, provide a good texture and add a good source of protein to your diet. Speaking of protein, hemp hearts are known to have the perfect protein. They contain 20 amino acids and 9 of the essential ones our body cannot product. Basically hemp hearts are another one of those foods that is loaded with nutrient density. Just a little bit in your diet goes a long way!
I purchase these hemp hearts and use them on salads, in granola or my favorite, in muesli (my alternate to plain oats). Check out these delicious ways to add hemp hearts to your diet:
Dark Chocolate Cherry Yogurt Bowls
kale
Overrated. Outdated. Gross. Call it what you want, even behind the times. I know kale has previously been trending as a health food and is technically out but it shouldn’t be forgotten. I’m not a particularly huge fan of kale {or most leafy greens <nutritionist confession} but I do know the mega value of leafy greens so I find ways to enjoy them.
Because who says we have to eat leafy greens, raw and plain and taste every ounce of earth that remains on them. {insert gross shivers}. But when we get into the nitty-gritty of the nutritional benefits, kale does pack quite the punch and is one I HIGHLY recommend we find a way to get acquainted with.
Here’s the dish on kale. It has crazy amounts of vitamins A, K and C. While it is not as researched as fellow veggies in its family {broccoli and cabbage} it does have some pretty outstanding health benefits including massive antioxidant related health benefits. Antioxidants again being linked to beating inflammation as well as playing a significant role in the bodies detoxification process.
While I don’t LOVE kale I do have a passion for health and know that this is one of those foods I just need to learn to love. Not by forcing myself into a food fight but finding recipes and ways in which kale is tolerable and more than that even enjoyable. It can be done and my recommendations for how include, chop it or saute it. My favorite ways to eat kale are in a chopped salad, in soups or sautéed in breakfast hash. Here are some delicious recipes that will make even the most skeptical a believer:
Zoodles with Spinach, Kale and Basil Pesto
The Best Breakfast Hash with Chunky Pesto
collagen
This would never have hit the list 100 years ago when we used to cook meat with bones. However, because that practice is nearly non-existent {although making quite the comeback} we need to understand the value of collagen and why we need it. Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body. It’s found in our muscle, bones, skin, tendons, blood vessels and digestive system. It’s the glue that holds the body together.
As we age, we naturally decrease our produce of collagen and slowly welcome wrinkles, sagging skin and joint pains. But the simple way to beat this {or slow this process} is consuming collagen rich foods. These collagen rich foods will improve your hair and skin, heal our GI tracts, reduce joint pain, boost metabolism, improve our cardiovascular system and improve our liver function.
The best sources of collagen are through good sources of bone broth. Either homemade or if you’re like me and would rather just buy good sourced bone broth, check out this brand! Other options are cooking meat with bones or buying a high quality collagen source that can be used as a protein powder. I prefer this brand of collagen and use it in baked goods, mixed in smoothie or juice and just stirred in water for a quick pick me up. Here are two ways to use collagen:
One Pot Savory Chicken and Fall Produce
cilantro
Don’t underestimate the power of fresh herbs. With most herbs containing significantly more nutrient value than all other produce combined. Fresh herbs should be an essential addition to your diet. Not to mention the flavor component is pretty amazing as well. Cilantro specifically, has both benefits in the leaves and seeds {coriander seeds}.
Cilantros benefits stem from its vitamin content. It has been used for thousands of years to treat digestive upset, gas, fungal and bacterial infections and prevent food poisoning. Some studies even showing that it can lower blood sugar and help kill parasites in the digestive tract. I prefer cilantro for its detoxifying properties in the body. It is powerful at helping to remove the stubborn and extremely dangerous heavy metals from our body.
You often find that people either love or hate cilantro. In some people cilantro can react with the bacteria of their mouth and cause a soapy taste. If you can handle cilantro however, it is a great food to add to as many dishes as possible, even making a salad out of it. Fresh is best and here are some great ways to use cilantro:
Slow Cooker Barbacoa Taco Bowls
Sriracha Fried Brussels Sprouts
avocados
We have to set the stage for avocados in the right way. So take note, the fad that low-fat is best, it’s out. Gone are the low-fat days and in are the days or naturally nourishing, wholesome fats from real foods. In fact, fats are essential to a healthy hormonal flow, good skin, joint health, immunity and over 50 more functions in the body. Fats deserve a place in your diet, especially avocados.
This fruit {anything that has a seed or pit is considered a fruit by definition} is incredibly nutritious. High in vitamin K, folate and potassium, good monounsaturated fatty acids and fiber it provides health benefits including weight loss, reduction in blood sugar and lowering of disease risk. The fat in avocados also helps you to absorb more nutrients from other foods and provides more value than just the nutrients within.
Keeping a stash of avocados on hand is a great way to quickly add it to salads, soups, or mash it up and put it on some toast. Take note, avocados can be tricky to find perfectly ripe. When you purchase them at the store, they should be darker green and when slightly squeezed, firm but not hard. It has to be a perfect medium. If they aren’t quite ripe, store in a brown paper bag at room temperature until they turn. Once ripe, place in the refrigerator to keep at the perfect ripeness for maximum time. They turn quick so watch out.
Here are some of my favorite ways to use avocados:
Berry Cauliflower and Avocado Smoothie
the challenge
The challenge for you is not to be perfect, but to continually work on small consistent changes. This is what adds up over time! Don’t get frustrated, just pick one food and start to slowly make it a part of your lifestyle. There are plenty of additional ways to get these ‘superfoods’ in your diet so keep your eye out.
Make them a part of your pantry staples. They are THE foods that you can rely on to help enhance your health everyday.
