Trendy Eating

While looking trendy on the outside with fall fashion, why not feel trendy on the inside as well? Although food crazes come and go, some current popular foods on the market have real health benefits that make them worth your time and money. Here are six trendy foods that are not only good for you, but they taste great, too!

1 1) Kale chips

Kale is a leafy green vegetable that becomes a crispy snack when baked.

Kale chips are low in calories, fat and sodium but high in vitamins and minerals, making them the
perfect crunchy treat. It is best to make the kale chips yourself, adding just a little olive oil and some spices (like garlic powder or cayenne) before baking. Avoid pre-packaged varieties that are higher in fat and sodium.

2 2) Coconut water

Coconut water is the clear liquid found inside young, green coconuts. It has a sweet and somewhat nutty taste. This Mother Nature’s sports drink has less sugar and less sodium than most sports drinks on the market. It is higher in potassium, calcium and chloride,

making it better for rehydrating and replenishing the body’s energy levels after strenuous activity.

Stick to the plain flavor and avoid those with added sugars or juices.

3) Fresh juices

Juicing is all the rave. It is a great way to squeeze fruits and vegetables that you don’t

typically consume into your diet. However, remember that if you are drinking juices in

place of real food, you’ll fall short on a number of nutrients your body needs, namely fiber and protein. Still, juices can be a great morning meal or snack when made properly. Make

green smoothies at home by blending creamy fruit (bananas, mango) with leafy greens (kale,

spinach) plus water.

4) Almond butter

Almond butter is a food paste, similar to peanut butter but made from almonds. Almond butter

is a great alternative to peanut butter for those with peanut allergies. It contains significantly

more fiber, calcium, potassium, iron and manganese than peanut butter with about half

the saturated fat. When choosing an almond butter, select those that contain little to no

added ingredients.

5) Chia seeds

Cha-Cha-Cha-chia! Those tiny seeds from the 1980s Chia Pets are filled with vitamins,

calcium (by weight, more than whole milk!) and dietary fiber. When chia seeds are exposed

to water, they form a gel that expands in your belly, helping you to feel full, eat less and

shed pounds. Ground chia seeds are virtually tasteless and can be added to baked goods,

smoothies, yogurts, sauces, dips and more – without changing the flavors of the foods!

6) Almond milk

Almond milk is a beverage made from ground almonds, often used as a substitute for dairy milk. This milk variety is suitable for vegans and vegetarians since it does not contain any animal products. In fact, this milk is extremely ‘allergy-friendly.’ Because almond milk does

not contain any lactose, it is great for those who are lactose intolerant. Since almonds are rich in vitamins and minerals, almond milk doesn’t need to be fortified like some other milk varieties. It is very low in calories (about 40 calories per serving) and low in carbohydrates (only two grams per serving), so it is a great milk substitute for those watching their weight.

All Fitness _____Trendy Eating___ By Lindsay Brustein Rosen, MS, RD