Dear Friends,
The year is very quickly coming to a close, and before we can move into 2018, let’s reminisce about 2017 for a bit. When it comes to health and fitness, 2017 saw a variety of different trends including a move to more plant-based proteins, more holistic approaches to eating and well-being, and focusing on self-care.
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Some trends we will see continue into 2018, while others should very well have their end in 2017 and not see the New Year.
In case you missed any of these health and food trends, let me remind you what happened. Who knows, maybe some of them will inspire you to try something new. Maybe others you already take part in. Either way, let’s take a look back at the 2017 health and food trends.
2017 health and food trends
Veganism
There wasn’t just a strong focus on vegetables, but going completely vegan was popular. Several studies have shown the benefits of being vegan, so many people are either reducing their intake of red meat or eliminating it altogether. More vegan restaurants and juice bars have opened as a result of this trend as people explore more non-meat options.
Health tracking
Fitness tracking is a thing of the past. No longer is it enough to simply count steps or repetitions. This year, we tracked all aspects of our health from how we sleep to spotting our stress triggers and using technology to help us calm down.
Focusing on sleep
More studies than ever explored the importance of sleep and the consequences of poor sleep.
Focus on mental health
There was a large focus on how to ward off depression and anxiety as there has been a steady incline of cases for both conditions. Looking at sleep, diet, nutrition, fitness, and mindfulness, 2017 was the year of a holistic approach to treating depression and anxiety.
Activated charcoal
In 2017, we saw more food turning black. From pizza crust to ice cream, 2017 was the year of black food. But activated charcoal doesn’t just change the color of food, it does come with benefits including being a natural detoxifier. Some were skeptical though, suggesting that adding activated charcoal to food was simply a choice to make food more appealing on social media sites.
Exotic grains
For years we raved about quinoa, but there are many more grains out there to try, and in 2017, many of us did. As the need for more gluten-free options arises, out came Kamut, sorghum, and other ancient grains to the rescue.
Edible insects
Although many of you may squirm at this thought, eating bugs is actually on the rise, and in many forms too. For example, flour is now being made with crickets to provide it with protein. In other cases, insects are being cooked up and simply placed onto burgers, hot dogs, and other menu items. We’ll see if this trend continues to grow in 2018.
Avocado toast
2017 may have very well been the year of avocado toast, and there were endless options you can add on top of your avocado toast. But the costs of avocados continue to rise, so it may be on the decline as we move into the New Year.
Soy milk
Once hailed as an option for those who can’t consume dairy, there are now healthier milk alternatives worth trying that will make soy milk a thing of the past. Another big push against soy milk is that the majority of soybeans are GMOs, and society is making it quite clear they want nothing to do with GMOs.
Expensive wellness retreats
How does going to an island, juicing for days, and only practicing yoga sound? Sure, it sounds like a dream, but these overpriced wellness retreats aren’t really necessary. Yes, you should take time for yourself and your well-being, but you don’t need to spend thousands on doing so. This is one trend that may come to an abrupt halt next year.
The Instant Pot
For years, the crock pot – or slow cooker – was all the rage because you would load it with your meal, let it cook all day while you worked, and you would have a ready meal by the time you got home. Well, this process has become much shorter with the instant pot. The instant pot doesn’t just cook things quickly but also has the ability to work as a slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, and yogurt maker! With this little appliance, you don’t really need anything else. It’s also great because it eliminates the excuse that cooking takes to long and that’s why people need to order out. With more home-cooking, it encourages healthier habits, which are great in the long-run.
What do you think of the trends that emerged in 2017? Sure, some of them may be a bit extra, but others are quite valid and have serious staying power.
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As we wrap on another year, I just want to thank you all for reading this blog. I hope over the last year you found some really helpful information that you can use in your everyday life. This will be the last post of 2017, so I want to wish you a very happy holiday season! May you be surrounded by love, friends, and family. Be safe and healthy, and I look forward to providing you with more information, tips, and facts in 2018.
Until next year!
Emily Lunardo
Emily Lunardo studied medical sociology at York University with a strong focus on the social determinants of health and mental illness. She is a registered Zumba instructor, as well as a Canfit Pro trainer, who teaches fitness classes on a weekly basis. Emily practices healthy habits in her own life as well as helps others with their own personal health goals. Emily joined Bel Marra Health as a health writer in 2013.
