Catherine Saxelby's Foodwatch | 10 mega-trends in healthy eating

10 mega-trends in healthy eating

Home cooking, sustainability, mini luxuries, food allergies, wholegrains, super foods and trans fats take centre stage for 2010. What's hot and on the rise in the world of diets, nutrition and healthy lifestyle? Here's my take on what's taking off for the rest of 2010 based on what I've canvassed from industry publications, health magazines, conferences as well as websites, blogs and Tweets.

 

1. Back to basics

More cooking from scratch at home using fresh ingredients with only minimal use of prepared sauces and bases. Many Australians are setting up a veggie patch and a chook yard for the kids. For some great recipes check out the Foodwatch recipe section.

2. Eco-foods

Australians are into clean and green. We're interested in how and where our food is grown - is it sustainable, locally-produced, slow food, fair trade, pure, organic or free-range? For more information check out the Foodwatch Nutrition on the Net eReport. It's a unique database of credible websites you can visit knowing they're sensible and written by health professionals. This latest edition also includes two new categories for sites devoted to organic/fairtrade as well as sites for recipes/healthy cooking.

3. Fast food gets healthier

Wraps, rolls, salads, yoghurt and juices have started to displace nuggets and fries from our menus.

4. Childhood obesity

It seems to have peaked but at 25 to 30 per cent of kids now overweight or obese, there are still too many fat kids. Just about every group has made changes to accommodate this trend from makeovers for fast food outlets, healthier kids' menus, smaller portion sizes for junk foods, fit kids camps and a limit on screen time viewing.

5. Allergies and intolerances

"Free-from" foods are growing to help people steer clear of allergens like nuts, dairy, egg, fish and soy. Gluten-free and wheat-free are also on the increase but not always for medical reasons; sometimes we self-diagnose and take ourselves off wheat products. Checkout the Allergies and Additives section of the Foodwatch website.

6. Low GI / Wholegrains

Slow carbs for our bodies to help with type 2 diabetes, weight control and energy. Take a look The Low GI Diet Cookbook.

7. Beverages become meals

We are drinking in the kilojoules (calories) - witness fresh juice bars, super smoothies, caramel chocolate frappucinos, boutique beers, cocktails, mocktails, alcopops not to mention meal-replacement drinks and liquid breakfasts. Download my free fact sheet on juices and calories.

8. Trans fats

They're in processed food wherever you see the words "partially-hydrogenated vegetable oil". Food companies are scrambling to replace them wherever they can.

9. Super foods

Acai, goji, mangosteen, pomegranate - the list goes on, and on... Are they really super food or super frauds? Check out the Super Food Section of my website.

10. Little luxuries

Indulgent treats to brighten up our day and add pleasure eg dark chocolate with cherries, nougat, chocolate cafes (think Lindt café, Max Brenner chocolate bar, Guylian coffee shop), good wine, premium yoghurt, top-end gelato, quality tea leaves, organic yoghurt.

 

 

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