The top health trends and tips in 2014

A food writer dished up quite a mouthful when he declared 2013 as The Year of the Vegan. Then there was the Whole30 Diet, a 30-day program that prohibits the consumption of legumes and whole grains, baked goods, desserts, junk foods. Instead, it tells you to eat real food — meat, seafood, eggs, tons of vegetables, some fruit, lots of good fats, nuts, seeds. Basically, eat foods with very few ingredients that you can pronounce — if you can’t pronounce it, it’s probably bad for you. And here’s probably the juiciest news of 2013: Juicing!  Juice bars/kiosks sprouted like mushroom all over the metro. No need to buy those hard-to-clean juicers as you could grab some of those bottled green juices that combine, say, kale, cucumber, lemon, apple, ginger, romaine, spinach, celery, and parsley. Guys, go ahead and drink your veggies!

Last year, we went nuts over cronuts (croissant-donut hybrid) — a truly sinful combination! But have you ever heard of the Krispy Kreme doughnut burger? A couple of years back, I lined up for this indulgent concoction at the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition) in Toronto just to find out what the fuss was about. Here’s what I found in my Krispy Kreme doughnut burger: A big fat burger patty sandwiched between two halves of a Krispy Kreme sugar raised doughnut and topped with cheese. And that’s not all, folks, it’s got a fried egg sitting in all its greasy glory on top of the cheese!

Meanwhile, all ye fitness buffs, sit up and hear this: One study found that you don’t really need the heat to get a good workout. According to the study, increasing the temperature does not make you work any harder or burn more calories. It warns that all that sweat even puts you at risk of dehydration.

So, wouldn’t you like to know the top health trends (and on top of these, some tips, too) in 2014? Let’s do some trendspotting with Romy Sia, managing director of Healthy Options, in this exclusive interview with The Philippine STAR:

PHILIPPINE STAR: What do you think are the top five health trends in 2014?

ROMY SIA: 1. Consumers will continue to favor wheat-deprived diet plans like the Paleo diet, gluten-free or “wheat belly” in 2014. Consumers, even those without clinical disorders such as Celiac disease, will turn to wheat- or gluten-elimination diets to promote healthy weight loss or to acquire health benefits such as improved cholesterol levels, better digestive health, and increased energy levels.

2.  Ancient grains and superfoods are being served up in 2014 as people strive to reduce their risk of chronic disease as well as for their well-being and for longevity. Popular superfoods include kale, Omega-3, ALA-rich chia seeds, quinoa, acai, and maca, and these are identified to be nutrient powerhouses that pack large doses of antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamins, and minerals.  

3.  Plant-based diets and organic produce have started to gain attention last year and will continue to do so this year as people realize that simply increasing their fruit and vegetable intake (especially locally-grown organic produce) is the best way to improve overall health and wellness. More and more people will join the bandwagon of juicing, in their quest to ingest more organic greens and nutrients into their system.

4. Healthier snacking options will be on the rise this year. People will veer away from unhealthy “junk” food laden with artificial flavors and chemical additives and will look for better alternatives such as freeze-dried fruits, kale chips, nut butter alternatives like almond, cashew, or hazelnut butter, to name a few.

5.  Lastly, more eco-conscious products will trend this year. Both locally and worldwide, consumers are looking for more eco-friendly labels in 2014.   

There’s always a new superfood every year. What will be this year’s superfoods and what are their health benefits?

The ever-popular quinoa will gain even more recognition among consumers this year, thanks to its gluten-free and high-fiber/high-protein content. Health buffs will find increasing use for quinoa as a replacement for rice or cereals, and as an ingredient to soups and salads. Quinoa-based products like quinoa flour and quinoa pasta, in addition to new variations of quinoa, such as red, black, and tricolor quinoa, will also be trending this year. 

Chia seeds are ancient grains that have more ALA, Omega-3, dietary fiber, and antioxidants than any other food from nature. These wonder seeds promote heart health, digestion, and joint function. Chia has been around for years, generating buzz in recent years among more developed countries such as the United States, but we have yet to experience its robust growth in the Philippines. Chia seeds’ almost tasteless flavor but glutinously crunchy texture can complement virtually any dish, from salads, to breads and pastries, to smoothies and juices, to sauces and dressings.

Packed full of antioxidants, minerals, and Vitamin C, the traditionally medicinal goji berry is now one of the top-trending superfoods, with its antioxidant scale over 10 times that of blueberries and green tea. Aside from being enjoyed on its own, goji berries’ unique blend of cherry and raisin characteristics will be mixed into staples like fruit juices and even coated with sweets like organic chocolate.

Kale, a dark, leafy green vegetable popular in Asian dishes, contains large amounts of beta carotene, iron, folate, Vitamin C, and not to mention fiber. Touted for its anti-cancer properties, kale will be one of 2014’s biggest superfoods that will slowly but surely make its way to the plates of Filipino meals.

What new foods/food supplements will be marketed as especially good for weight loss?

Popular new food supplements that are marketed for safe and effective natural weight loss include: Garcinia Cambogia (the appetite suppressant), green coffee bean (the miracle fat burner), and raspberry ketones (the weight loss aid). These supplements have been flying off our store shelves in recent months and are anticipated to gain even more consumer awareness in the coming year.

Diabetes is one of the world’s biggest health problems today. What natural sugar alternatives for diabetics will make news this year?

Natural non-caloric sweeteners such as stevia and SweetLeaf can be expected to play a major role in controlling obesity-related problems, such as diabetes and heart disease. This year, we are also anticipating the rise of mulberry, a small but powerful fruit rich in antioxidants, with its leaves known to help control how sugar is digested in the body.

There are just so many teas on the market today. Which one will consumers be raving about this year and why?

Green tea, with its boasted benefits, from fighting cancer to improving heart health and even to weight loss, will still be all the rage this year and beyond. As new varieties of green tea are introduced and as it finds its way into everything, from drinks to desserts, it will definitely remain as one of the most popular superfoods both here and around the world.

 What about matcha green tea — will it still be the rage?

In general, teas of all flavors and variants will still be a hit as the market share continues to increase.  This is because people continue to develop their tastes and preferences, incorporating tea drinking and enjoyment into their lifestyles.

What about fiber — after quinoa, there were amaranth, freekeh, hemp seeds. What are the top five fiber supplements in your list for 2014?

Fiber plays a vital role in the digestive health of Filipinos, especially with the type of diet Filipinos normally eat. Many of our customers struggle with digestive concerns and are looking for ways to increase their fiber intake. The best way to get more fiber is to eat naturally fiber-rich foods. At the top of our list for high-fiber foods are: whole grains, nuts, legumes, fruits, and vegetables. For those needing a fiber boost by way of supplements, on our list are: chia, quinoa, psyllium husk, and probiotics.

List your top 10 health tips for 2014.

This 2014, Healthy Options encourages people to practice 12 simple healthy habits for a better and healthier life: 1.  Laugh. 2. Love. 3. Read. 4. Clean. 5. Supplement. 6. Reflect.  7. Relax. 8.  Hydrate. 9.  Moisturize. 10. Walk. 11.  Sleep. 12. Cook healthy.

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Visit any of the Healthy Options stores and get a copy of its Healthy Habits calendar to know more about its health campaign for 2014. For more information, check out the Healthy Options website at www.healthyoptions.com.ph.