HEALTH + WELLNESS
OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW
CALL IT AN INDUSTRY; CALL IT A LIFESTYLE; CALL IT A COMBINATION OF THE TWO – WHATEVER IT IS, HEALTH AND WELLNESS HAS ITS FINGER FIRMLY ON THE PULSE WHEN IT COMES TO MOVING WITH THE TIMES. THIS YEAR KISSES GOODBYE TO SEAWEED AND SOUPING AND WAVES HELLO TO TIGER NUTS AND SUPER SPICES, JUST TWO OF THE WELLBEING TRENDS THAT LOOK SET TO SOAR IN 2017. BY POLLY HUMPHRIS
TIGER NUTS
The tiger nut is nothing to do with neither tigers nor nuts and is, in fact, a small root vegetable and traditional food that has been grown and eaten for centuries across the Mediterranean and Africa. Commonly found in the form of tiger nut flour – a great, gluten-free, grain-free alternative flour that can be used in baking or cooking – it’ s suitable for all types of diets from vegan to Paleo and nut-free. High in fibre and rich in calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium, you can expect to see tiger nuts emerge as the dieter’ s friend in 2017 as they’ re great for the digestive system and are said to aid weight loss.
OMEGA 3 FROM ALGAE
You can expect to see all things natural, environmentally friendly and sustainable hit even greater heights this year, and, bearing in mind growing concerns about the sustainability of fish due to the over farming of our oceans, using Omega 3 from algae means we can access the benefits of the nutrient without affecting precious fish stock. Most of us know about the importance of Omega-3 fatty acids – especially DHA and EPA from oily fish, but for anyone who can’ t eat fish or take fish oil supplements, getting a good source of these healthy fats can be a problem. The answer? Algae, which can now be found in both oil and supplement form.
PROBIOTIC WATER
Probiotic yoghurts and probiotic supplements have been around for ages – even probiotic chocolate has found a niche in the market, but the newest kid on the gut-health block is probiotic water. Tablets are out this year and functional food and drinks are in, so probiotic water is a wellness powerhouse combining the goodness of water with the added health benefits of lots of lovely life-giving microorganisms.
CAULIFLOWER
Cauliflower is amazingly versatile: you can pulse raw florets in a food processor to make cauliflower‘ rice’; steam it and mash it for a comforting side dish; or just remove the leaves, shove it in the oven and bake it whole( which is great drizzled with a bit of good quality honey). It’ s low in carbs and calories and high in fibre, vitamin C, folate and potassium, and also contains compounds called glucosinolates, which are thought to have anti-cancer properties, so expect to see it everywhere in 2017.
99