Health, Men's Health, Nutrition, Well-being, Women's Health
Dubbed the ‘kale of 2016’ (very possibly by people selling mushrooms but that’s okay, they are a healthy purchase…) the humble fungi are rich in vitamin D (something many of us are increasingly deficient in) and a good source of B vitamins. They are also rammed with cell protecting antioxidants and help boost immunity. Ideally choose organic ones (mushrooms absorb whatever they are grown in) or grow your own so you know exactly what you are getting. Alternatively get them in supplement form, like Hifas da Terra Micro-Rei, or Holland & Barrett Mushroom Vegan Vitamin D capsules, £19.99.
In their fascinating new book The Ageless Body*, health experts Peta Bee and Dr Sarah Schenker take issue with the mantra that we should ‘breakfast like a king’. The idea was popularised in the 60s and most of us have grown up with it – the theory being if you don’t eat first thing you’ll go on to consume your body weight in croissants and become the size of a small aerodrome – but not so, according to Bee and Schenker (pointing out many of the studies encouraging us to eat when we get up have been funded by cereal manufacturers). Their bottom line: ‘breakfast is overrated and as we enter our 40s our waistlines benefit more if we go without.’ One less meal to worry about: We’re in!
The race to find ever new interesting types of water continues and this is the year of the tree water. No really… Harvested at certain times in spring when nutrient-rich sap travels up from the roots to the branches providing life to the leaves, tree water sounds obscenely healthy. And it is a fine source of electrolytes to keep you hydrated and manganese (beneficial for bone health and good skin). Find it in birch and maple form like Drink Simple or Tapped Organic Birch Water
Sugar continues to be the new salt/anti-Christ but that doesn’t mean you should stop eating natural sugars from vitamin-rich fruit. BUT the latest tip from the experts is, wherever possible; add fruit to vegetables or other savoury dishes. This will give you all the fruit’s nutrients whilst lowering its glycemic index to avoid you having a sugar spike, then crash. Try roasted apple, beetroot and fennel; add pear, apple or citrus fruits to salad; make a salsa with fresh pineapple, mango or papaya and add dried fruit to Middle Eastern-inspired dishes.
Last year’s huge success story: adult colouring books and other calls for us to ‘unleash our inner child’ continue apace with the resurgence of rebounding and/or trampolining. You could burn up to 550 calories in 45 minutes and see improved muscle definition after a couple of sessions. Read more here to jump on the trend at home.
If the idea of bouncing up and down fills you with pelvic floor horror, new and improved high intensity interval training (HIIT) could be more your thing. Yes, it is a trend that has been around for a bit but for 2016 the techniques become more sophisticated and easier to fit into your day (some exercises take just one minute). Fitness and nutrition coach Paul Mumford explains all in his new book The Accumulator*.
Nutritionist Rob Hobson predicts that (diary free) nut milks are set to be big business. Rich in protein, B vitamins, iron and magnesium he says we will see more nuts like Brazil and pistachio used. He adds it is also easy to make your own at home – all you need is a blender, a bag of nuts and water, for a more sophisticated version try the Soyabella Nut Milk Maker.
Herbs and plants called adaptogens – like maca, ginseng and Moringa – are said to naturally help you fight stress and are on course to be added to this year’s juices and smoothies. With trend forecasters billing 2016 as ‘The Age of Unease’ anything that keeps stress levels down is good with us and we are making Moringa our go-to adaptogen. Dense in antioxidants it is said to increase energy, libido, improve sleep and relieve anxiety and depression – and we’ll drink to that. Find it in Aduna Moringa Green Superleaf Powder, £7.99 for 100g.
Have you spotted any health trends for 2016? Leave a comment below if you have.
