Industries and professions across sectors operate around annual trends and what might—or might not—be trending for consumers. Therefore, it shouldn’t surprise us that our food environment can also be full of trends! Different foods or beverages—healthy and not—can suddenly become popular, leading to empty shelves and even more demand. However, it’s important to be mindful when following food fads.
Here are a few evergreen principles you can follow to ensure you make nutritious dietary choices regardless of what’s trending:
Limit ultra-processed foods
While technically, the vast majority of foods we eat are processed in some way, there’s a difference between processed foods like frozen fruits and vegetables and low-nutritional value, ultra-processed foods like artificially sweetened breakfast cereals or soda. The latter should be consumed mindfully and minimally to avoid health risks such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Mind your portions
Even healthier-for-you trendy foods can impact your wellbeing if you over-indulge. To maintain a nutritious, balanced diet, try incorporating some of these strategies into your routine: listen to your body’s natural fullness cues during meals, stay hydrated to avoid mistaking thirst for hunger, track your intake with a food journal, set a goal to stay mindful of your portions and familiarize yourself with recommended serving sizes.
Channel your inner chef
One of the most impactful steps you can take to support your health is to incorporate more ‘whole’ foods into your diet, and a great way to do that is by preparing meals at home. While cooking at home can present its own challenges for those with busy schedules or limited kitchen space, it does offer a significant advantage: greater control over the ingredients you consume. So, if you have the time and means, channel your inner chef whenever possible! Remember: food trends will come and go, but feeling fueled and energized by healthy foods never goes out of style.
