2016 has been big for multiple reasons which unfortunately were mostly bad as 2016 seemed to be the year of violence, rebellion, and outrage.
However, this past year didn’t solely provide bad news to the world as it has been an important year for the improvement of health on a worldwide scale.
2016 was also the year in which more people than ever decided to take care of their personal health, lose weight, exercise, and commit to a healthy lifestyle. Thus, this past year has provided the world with a large variety of new dietary regimen. This article will outline 16 of the most popular diet trends of 2016.
1.Ancient Grains
There has been a growing interest in ancient grains especially with the increasing demand for gluten free products as they are many gluten-free ancient grains such as amaranth, millet, sorghum, and teff.
Author of The Small Change Diet, Keri Gans explains that these grains are a healthy alternative to carbs and are easy to integrate into a healthy diet. Ancient grains mix well into salads, soups and even as a simple side dish.
An ancient grain based diet has become very popular as heritage grains provide essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fibers. Nutritious as well as containing low levels of calorie, ancient grains support a healthy dietary regimen.
2.Vegetarianism and Veganism
Over the years vegetarianism and veganism have both seen their community grow due to the fact that awareness on animal cruelty has spread and over-industrialisation and production of meat have been demonstrated to strongly contribute to pollution.
In addition, studies have shown that high consumption of meat increases risks of developing severe conditions such as cardiovascular disease whereas a plant-based or vegan diets are full of vitamins, antioxidants, and other healthy nutrients that promote improved health.
3.The Military Diet
The Military Diet is a low-calorie meal plan that supposedly helps people lose up to 10 pounds without having to do excessive exercise or use any medication. Provided by the Military Diet Website, the Military Diet consist of a strict meal plan that dieters will have to follow for three days every week.
The plan alternates three days of diet and four days of no restrictions on the type of food but a limit of 1,500 total calories per day.
The three days of this meal plan consist of meals composed of food said to be chemically compatible. On these days the foods allowed include bananas, apples, meat, peanut butter, eggs, green beans and vanilla ice cream.
Dieters are allowed to drink water, coffee and need to use Stevia as a sweetener. The Military Diet has been designed for “emergency” for instance for someone wanting to lose weight rapidly before a big event such as a wedding.
4.Cauliflower
Cauliflower is a surprisingly versatile food that can be used to make some of people’s favorite dishes such as pizza crust, flatbreads, and hash browns.
In addition, cauliflower is full of powerful nutrients especially beneficial for hair growth has the vegetable contains biotin and niacin. In addition as cauliflower can be used to recreate foods that are usually full of carbs, following a cauliflower based diet supports weight management.
5.Powdered Peanut Butter
For people who love peanut butter but try to limit their consumption of this tasteful paste, powdered peanut butter will come as a blessed alternative as powdered peanut butter is made from defatted peanuts and contains fewer calories than traditional peanut butter.
This powdered form makes the product easy to integrate into recipes and can be easily converted into a spread by adding water.
In 2016 more and more peanut butter companies have started to launch their versions as more people have started to prefer powdered peanut butter over the regular product. This revolutionary alternative can be slipped into morning smoothies and used for extra protein all this whilst having 85 percent less fat than traditional peanut butter.
6.Probiotics
There has been a growing amount of foods containing probiotics as they help improve gut health. Eating probiotics will help support a healthier digestive system which is essential to prevent issues such as constipation.
Probiotics help prevent infections and support a clean digestive tube. Mitzi Dulan, R.D., had predicted that food products with added probiotics would rise in 2016.
7.Legume Flour
Flour made from legume is part of one of 2016’s biggest diet trends. Flour made from lentil, black beans, garbanzo beans and other legumes have imposed themselves more and more in people’ kitchen as these are excellent sources of protein and fiber.
These flours offer an alternative to traditional whole wheat flour and can be used for baking.
8.The Paleo Diet
The Paleo Diet has known a terrific increase in popularity in 2016. This strict diet has gained popularity due to the fact that it promotes improvement in health and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Based on emulating the diet of our hunter-gatherer ancestors, the paleo diet includes whole and unprocessed foods that resemble their natural state.
This dietary regimen is meant to prevent obesity, diabetes and heart disease. In addition, it has been clinically and scientifically demonstrated that the paleo diet can contribute to weight loss. People following this diet can eat meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, seeds, spices, healthy fats, herbs, and oils.
In the same fashion, these people have to avoid processed foods, soft drinks, sugar, most dairy products, artificial sweeteners, legumes, margarine, trans fats and vegetable oils.
9.Clean Eating
In a similar but more inclusive fashion than the paleo diet, clean eating excludes processed food, added sugars and overall anything artificial. In 2016, clean eating was the new trend that appeared as the new organic.
More and more Restaurants have started to offer cleaner options in order to follow the trend. Clean Eating promotes health and supports weight management.
10.Algae
With the growing community of vegetarians and vegans and more people trying to diversify their foods whilst maintaining a healthy diet, algae have used as a healthy alternative to a wide range of different ailments.
Algae are rich in various nutrients and can be used in order to replace products such as dairy, vegetable oils, animal protein, dairy and eggs in a variety of foods like ice cream, crackers, milk, and cakes providing a natural and healthy alternative to some caloric, sweet and possible fat products.
11.Elimination Diets
As natural dietary solutions to not only manage weight but also control some health problems peaked in 2016, elimination diets have become a big sensation. Elimination diets consist in getting rid of foods from the dieter's fridge and cupboards which give people the opportunity what effects this elimination has on their health.
A good example of how elimination diets work is one of people who stop eating any type of dairy in order to see if it will help them with their acne or their digestive issues.
12.Plant Protein
Although people turn more and more to plant-based diets, protein still appears as an essential part of people’s nutrition. Thus in 2016 various proteins found in both plant and meat have been added to existing foods.
Using plant protein, people won’t have to necessarily eat chicken breasts and steaks in order to get complete protein. Consequently, in 2016 foods such as quinoa, chia and buckwheat have become more popular providers.
13.Green Smoothie Cleanses
Green Smoothie Cleanses have been known since 2014 due to JJ Smith’s bestseller The 10-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse. Although green smoothie plans started to be released in 2015, it is only in 2016 that these started to become really popular as they are recommended for effective detoxification.
The flushing of toxins through smoothie cleansing is supposed to support dieting and should be done before starting any other type of diet.
In order to do this cleanse efficiently, people will have to consume three smoothies, small snacks and drink a lot of water or detox tea for 10 days. Although JJ Smith’s bestseller suggest limiting food intake to that list, nutritionists advice to maintain a well-balanced diet in order to prevent fatigue and dizziness.
The smoothies are made from ingredients such as fruits, and raw vegetables such as radish tops, parsley, beet greens and kale. Green Smoothie Cleanses are an efficient manner to lose weight as they provide low-calorie levels and include only healthy foods.
14.Lentils
Lentils were big in 2016 has it there are a great source of protein and can be prepared as both side and main dish. In addition, lentils are a source of iron which is essential for the body as it supports energy productions.
This legume is easy to cook some of tasteful preparations include eating lentils alongside feta cheese, red wine vinegar, and fresh mint. Lentils have many beneficial characteristics one of them being that they help regulate the metabolism.
15.Cashew Milk
Dairy products have become increasingly unpopular in the public eye as nutritionists and health enthusiasts have been pointing these products out as not being good for people’s health contrary to what has been commonly believed.
Thus, in 2016 many alternative options to milk have been developed or rediscovered such soy and almond milk. Cashew milk was one of 2016’s highlight as it is creamier than soy and almond milk.
In addition, unsweetened cashew milk only contains 25 calories per cup. This type of milk is good for the digestive system and is just as good as ordinary milk in smoothies, lattes, and cereals.
16.Full-Fat Dairy
Not every type of fat is bad for health, as nutritionists always say it is essential to eat a little of everything as the body needs vitamins, proteins, and other nutrients that come from different sources.
It goes without saying that the type of fat found in fast foods is bad for the body’s health, however, some fat-filled foods are actually really good. Monounsaturated fats found in foods such as salmon and olive oil have great benefits.
