I tend to have a hard time trying new foods.
We live in a society privy to so much variety when it comes to food that with all the new fads passing through, it can sometimes seem easier to just stick to what I know and not branch out to try new things.
However, what compels me to be a little more adventurous is having some knowledge and understanding of these trends to back them up.
So, to get you all up to speed on what is trending in the diet and nutrition world, here are five of the hottest current topics.
1. The Wheat Free Diet
The wheat-free diet focuses on cutting out the certain portion of your carbs that contain wheat products.
We hear about gluten-free and low-carb diets all the time, but the wheat-free diet is something that has recently become more prevalent in the dieting world.
Hearing the words wheat and gluten used interchangeably, it is easy to forget that the two are actually different.
While all wheat has gluten in it, not all gluten comes from wheat.
Gluten is a protein that occurs in wheat, but it is also in other products such as barley and rye.
We know that wheat is in many things such as bread and flour products. But it’s also added to so many other products such as salad dressings, soups, and even ice cream.
So cutting out wheat may be a little trickier than just changing the bread you eat.
However, unless you have a health condition that doesn’t allow you to eat gluten, the wheat free diet is really just a trendy way to cut carbs.
Benefits of Going Wheat-Free
There are several advantages to this form of carb-cutting.
For one, when you cut out wheat, you’ll be simultaneously cutting out many forms of processed foods as a byproduct. You’ll also most likely be increasing your consumption of whole grains.
This can promote more nutritious eating habits.
Eliminating wheat can also reduce your carb intake, which can assist in quicker weight loss results.
By cutting out wheat you can also increase your protein intake by replacing wheat products with foods high in protein.
Disadvantages of Cutting Out Wheat
While you may be eliminating processed foods, you might also be eliminating foods rich in fiber when you go wheat-free.
Whole wheat tends to be a common source of fiber for many people, which is necessary for the digestive system.
Cutting out wheat can also be extremely difficult.
Wheat is in a lot of the foods we eat, whether at a restaurant, in a granola bar, or fast food, and it can tend take a lot of time and energy to replace it with other foods.
But overall, this is a diet that can be beneficial for those who enjoy it, and are able to stick with it.
2. Jackfruit
Not only is jackfruit super nutritious and versatile, but this fruit also thrives in climates that may ruin many other crops.
While it is one of those super foods that you probably haven’t heard of much unless you frequent tropical and subtropical areas, it can be purchased at most local Asian markets and even some mainstream grocery stores!
The possibilities for use almost endless.
“It’s a very versatile fruit,” says Nyree Zerega, a plant biologist at Northwestern University and the Chicago Botanic Garden who studies “underutilized” crops. “It can be your main meal and your dessert all in one.”
Just about every part of this fruit can be utilized for food.
The seeds can be roasted and eaten, as well as ground into flour.
The ripe jackfruit is sweet and interchangeable with mangos on sticky rice.
The unripe jackfruit can be made into chips, noodles, used in curries, and can even utilized for “vegan pulled pork” do to its stringy consistency!
It is an excellent source of protein, potassium, calcium, and iron, but be careful not to sit too close to one of these trees!
While jackfruit is packed with nutrition, it is also the largest tree-borne fruit in the world weighing up to 100lbs.
Keep an eye out for this bright, yellow super fruit it is definitely worth trying!
3. Power Bowls
This nutrition hack is one of my personal favorites.
The idea of a power bowl is to basically pack in as much nutritional value as possible, catered to your taste preferences!
These tasty meals are similar to loaded salads, but rather than having lettuce as the base, you incorporate a base of nutrient rich grains or something similar that is more filling than just salad.
There is no limit to the variations of power bowls!
Incorporate what you enjoy eating.
Here are a few guidelines to help you pack the absolute most power into your bowl!
Base
This is the sustenance of your power bowl. Anything from quinoa, to garbanzo beans, rice, or any grain, this portion of your bowl will provide a filling base to leave you full of energy.
Protein
Your protein will also be filling. Grilled chicken, bacon strips, really any meat, or you can even add different beans or hard-boiled eggs. (Read this to learn which high-protein foods are best!)
Vegetables
If you want to get as many nutrients as possible in your bowl, add assorted vegetables such as cooked carrots, cucumber slices, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, etc. Add some color and flavor with your vegetables!
Seasoning
This is where you can play around with flavors even more. You can stick to your favorite salad dressing, or start branching out with herbs, garlic, oil and vinegar, and so on. There are limitless dressing recipes that you can try, that will add that special kick to your power bowl!
