We get it…New Year, New You! We agree as well and that’s why we looked to Manasa Rajan, founder of the health brand Cure Bar, and a holistic health coach who is currently with Eat.Fit to tell us a few things we can include in our diet. With specialisation in plant-based nutrition, this one is ideal for vegans and vegetarians too! See, good for you and good for the earth! From hemp seeds and tempeh, here are some ingredients to add to your diet in 2023 and beyond!
Health Coach Of Eat.Fit, Manasa Rajan, Shares 8 Trending Food & Drinks For 2023
Hemp Seeds
The hulled seeds from the cannabis sativa plant, this sustainable protein becomes top of mind for us, with a nutritional profile that contains all the essential amino acids and quality omega fatty acids! While it was locally used in Pahadi cuisine for ages, it’s now capturing the interest of the health world and the fitness (protein) seekers. It is rich in vitamins and minerals especially Vitamin-E, magnesium, potassium, B-vitamins. It is great for skin health and also helps reduce inflammation in the body, which makes it great for post-workout recovery. Hemp is also great for brain health!
Brands Manasa Recommends: India Hemp Organics
Kombucha
A fermented tea, a bubbly drink that is also a probiotic, kombucha will continue to be a popular drink, especially since focus has and will be on gut health. It also helps with bloating and other digestive issues. Plus, it’s become a social drink for people who avoid alcohol!
Get your fill of Kombucha here.
Tempeh
An incredible vegetarian protein made with fermented soybeans, tempeh is a healthy and sustainable protein option. Tempeh is not only a rich source of protein (19g protein per 100g of tempeh), but is gut-friendly, nutrient dense and fibre rich, making it overall healthy, ideal for weight loss, diabetes management and recovery from training. Besides, nothing like a good protein that doesn’t involve meat and dairy.
Brands Manasa Recommends: Hello Tempayy offers a range of ready to cook marinated tempeh.
Spices In Tea, Oatmeal & Dessert
Cinnamon, dry ginger, cardamom, turmeric… while spices were always a part of our food and recipes, now it is shifting to mindful use of spices for improving immunity, digestion, and blood sugar. By adding spices to make herbal/spice teas and even other foods, the antioxidant and anti-microbial properties come through, and help the body fight infections and boost immunity. Spices like cinnamon are specially great for diabetics, to help reduce blood sugar impact from sweet foods.
Sourdough Bread
Sourdough is a bread made by the fermentation of dough using wild Lactobacillaceae (basically lactic acid bacteria) and yeast. Lactic acid from fermentation imparts a sour taste and improves keeping qualities.
Sourdough is a healthier alternative to regular white or whole wheat bread. Although it has comparable nutrients, the lower phytate levels mean it is more digestible and nutritious. The prebiotics also helps to keep your gut bacteria happy, and it may be less likely to spike blood sugar levels.
Brands LBB Recommends: Sour House in Bangalore, Suchali's Artisan Bakehouse in Delhi and Barmbay in Mumbai.
Coconut Sugar
The understanding of white sugar being a junk calorie, inflammation causing food and a hormone disruptor is widely known. So, many alternative sweeteners have been in the spotlight. The beauty of coconut sugar (made from the sap of the coconut palm tree), apart from its mild and delicately caramel like flavour is it’s mineral content and the ability to use it as an easy replacement in recipes and daily use with ease (and taste), especially in baking or use in tea/coffee. Better than white sugar but one can’t eat it for health ! It should still be consumed in moderation.
Brands Manasa Recommends: Conscious Food is our go to for this!
Gluten-free Flours - Millet, Rice & Buckwheat
With the awareness of gluten and its impact, many people choose to eat less of it or remove it from their diet completely. Gluten-free flours - ragi, cornmeal, brown rice flour, oat flour are all ingredients that will be used for making rotis, pancakes, cookies, cake, bread etc. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. It provides elasticity, allows the bread to rise, and gives foods a chewy texture. Although gluten is not a problem for most people, some may not tolerate it well. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that triggers an immune response to gluten. For those with this disease or a non-celiac gluten sensitivity, eating gluten can cause symptoms like bloating, diarrhoea, and stomach pain. Many of the most commonly consumed grains contain gluten. However, there are plenty of nutritious gluten-free grains available, too.
Brands Manasa Recommends: 24 Mantra
Coconut Milk
With the plant-based movement gaining momentum and people avoiding dairy for hormonal balance or acne control etc. Coconut milk is the ingredient for making desserts and gravies, creamy, delicious & satisfying! Known for its quality fat source & inflammation beating properties, coconut milk is super versatile in its application in all things culinary! Dairy-free coconut milk Ice creams for instance!
Brands Manasa Recommends: Dabur Coconut Milk