Healthy Food Trends in 2017

Each year, we tend to see new foods trends that claim to be the "healthiest" foods out there. In the past few years we saw a rise in things like kale, healthy fats, fresh juices and green smoothies. While all of these are great, healthy things, they sometimes come in fads for a year or so and then the next healthiest food comes out as the new trend. So, what are experts saying about this year??

• Purple Everything
• Things like purple asparagus, corn and potatoes are to likely be more frequently on the grocery store shelves this year. Purple foods are high in phytonutrients that help heart, bone and cognitive health. While purple foods are good for you, having a wide variety of colors on your plate is best, so be sure to include others in addition to the popular purple veggies. 
• Real, Burgers, Fries and Shakes
• The fast food chain Shake Shack is a popular burger option just like In 'n Out and 5 Guys, but without artificial ingredients, hormones and preservatives. Nutrition expert expect other chains to follow this suit as well. So, rather than saying do not eat burgers and fries, you will hear eat real burgers and fries so that you are elimination harmful ingredients and products. 
• Coconut Water
• Whether it is water, milk, sugar, oil or flour, products derived from coconut offer healthier sugar alternatives and healthy fats. Not only can these products help your good cholesterol levels and overall health, but they are now being used for skincare as well. 
• Alternative Pastas
• Since white flour and pasta products have been frowned upon in the nutrition world,you will now start to see things like garbanzo bean, zucchini and squash pasta products. Rather than replacing white flour with potato or rice flour, vegetables and beans are being used so the "pasta" offers more protein and nutrients in the product. 
• No More Macros
• When the "count your macros" trend started, you could eat whatever you wanted, as long as it fit within your macro nutrient percentages and numbers. But now, nutrition experts want you to focus more are eating real, whole foods that will nourish your body rather than focusing on a number. By doing this, you will get the vitamins and minerals your body needs from real food products, and not putting artificial, processed food into your body.