By Allen Bryan
The U.S. is known for its high childhood obesity rates and poor overall dietary health of its citizens. Over the past decade, our country’s top doctors and fitness experts have been trying to mainstream new diets and healthy food options that will hopefully give the country the health boost it needs. Below are some of the new dietary health trends that have been popular in the first few months of 2019.
Nearly every year for the past decade has welcomed in a new alternative milk product, and 2019 was no different. Oat milk took the world by storm thanks to the fact that it foams just like dairy milk. Oat milk is high in beta-glucans, a soluble fiber with heart health benefits. Beta-glucans form a gel-like substance inside your gut, which can bind to cholesterol and reduce its absorption. This may help lower blood cholesterol levels especially “bad” LDL cholesterol, which has been linked to heart disease. Not only can it lower blood pressure and reduce chances of heart disease, the taste of the milk itself complements with so many things.
Another tasty alternative is matcha, a trending food that has been on the rise since the 2018 from the matcha obsession. Many people were drinking this powdered green tea as a healthy alternative to coffee, as it provides a small caffeine boost. Matcha is now common on menus at cafes—like any other regular coffee or tea. Not only is it loved for the energy boost, but matcha has been shown to provide benefits such as reducing the risk of liver disease, increasing antioxidant power, and helping with weight loss and maintenance.
Lastly, mushroom powders became a favorite among health-conscious individuals for their medicinal properties in improving mood and overall wellness. Mushrooms – like chaga, reishi, and lion’s mane – are packaged into easy-to-consume powders that are convenient to stir into tea and lattes, as well as to add to recipes like raw energy balls. Mushroom powder can help aid against inflammation and help strengthen the immune system. It can even help reduce chances of breast and hormone related cancer.
The food options that we as Americans have are almost unlimited, but we need to learn about which healthy foods we should be consuming rather than stuffing ourselves with overly sugary and fatty foods. You just need to know where to look, and following the most recent food health trends is a great way to start.
