Did you start the new year with good intentions of being healthy that have gone out of the window already? Falling into the same old exercise routine and diet every year can leave you feeling de-motivated. To inspire you to change for the better, we’ve looked at some of the top health trends for 2019 to help you feel better, both inside and out.
New food predictions
We can expect to see a range of different food trends emerge; here are a few that are predicted to become even more popular in 2019:
Milk alternatives
Whilst cow’s milk boasts an impressive nutrient profile, it isn’t suitable for everyone – from milk allergies to dietary restrictions (for example veganism), sourcing alternatives to our traditional fridge staple has become increasingly important.1 Over the last year, oat milk has become a popular replacement, with retail sales surging by almost 50%.2
Oat milk is high in protein, low in fat, and provides both flavour and nutrition. It’s also high in vitamin D and calcium, and is suitable for vegans.3 Other popular dairy free alternatives include almond milk, soya milk, rice milk and coconut milk.
Plant-based diet
With growing concerns about the impact eating meat has on the planet, more people are opting for a plant-based diet in order to reduce their footprint on the environment.4 A plant-based diet does not necessarily mean abstaining from meat completely, but significantly reducing the intake of animal products, making it an easier diet to follow than veganism.5
Foods such as seeds, nuts, lentils, soya and beans are set to become more popular in everyday diets, as well as more meat-free and dairy-free protein alternatives.
A new wave of seafood
We could see a move towards new and alternative healthy snacks, with Whole Foods predicting that store-bought snacks will be more inspired by the sea in the coming months.5 Some of the products you could see more of are algae and kelp, which both provide high levels of omegas, whilst dried shrimp and cuttlefish will give your diet a protein boost6. Other sea-inspired snacks that are set to shake up the health food market are seaweed butter, marine plant-based tuna alternatives, water lily seeds and salmon skin.5
The Golden Berry
Described as the “new acai”, the Golden Berry is the “superfood” trend for 2019. This Peruvian Cape gooseberry is the size of a cherry tomato and very versatile. It can be eaten on its own or enjoyed as part of a salad and cooked dishes, both sweet and savoury. The berry itself has high levels of vitamin A, vitamin complex B and C, as well as protein and phosphorus, all of which can benefit your health7.
Changing up how we keep fit
If you’re looking for a new way to workout, why not give one of these exercise routines a go and reap the benefits of being more active:
Underwater resistance
Underwater resistance training is set to make a big splash. This is a new type of weight training where you take dumbbells into the pool and do lifts, squats and other routines with your body underwater. According to Men’s Health, lifting weights in a pool is a “solid cardio and core workout that’s easy on your joints”, so you can get fit whilst not putting too much strain on your body.
A new cycling experience
The days of watching a DVD at home with a lycra-clad instructor shouting out aerobics moves are long gone – new innovations are giving us different opportunities to keep fit through interactive technology. Peloton, who have taken the indoor cycling market by storm, is set to be the leader of this movement. Their bikes come fitted with a screen so you can take part in live daily workouts without having to leave your home. If cycling’s not your thing, you can subscribe to the Peloton app which gives you access to over 8,000 different classes including running, bootcamp, floor and outdoor workouts. Initial set up is quite costly but it could be a great option to workout at a time that suits you!
Flying through your workout
Aerial fitness classes are set to become a popular choice for fitness fanatics over the coming year. These workouts are based on ribbons and hoops hanging from the ceiling and involves mid-air lifting, balancing, holding and posing by keeping a steady core – a great workout for your abs and arms! Classes include aerial yoga and aerial hoops, but be warned, hanging upside down on some ribbon might not be for everyone…
Cha Cha Challenge
Zumba has become a fun way for people to workout over the last few years, incorporating dance as a way to keep active. A new version of Zumba is set to become popular, mixing together the classic dance moves with a core workout. An example of this new type of class is the Cha Cha Challenge, where you have to combine doing a three-minute plank exercise whilst dancing The Cha Cha Slide at the same time – it’s as challenging as it sounds!
Keep on top of your mental health
As well as eating healthily and keeping active, it’s important to ensure you’re looking after your mental health, too. Here are a few new trends to promote a positive mental attitude:
Clearing out the clutter
With spring approaching it’s the perfect chance to have a bit of a clear-out and get rid of any unwanted or unused items. Having a cluttered home can upset your mental balance, with conditions such as anxiety and depression being linked to having untidy spaces8. There’s now even a Netflix show dedicated to clearing out clutter in your home – Tidying Up with Marie Kondo.
“Shaking meditation”
Most meditative techniques require you to be really still, but not TRE (Tension & Trauma Exercise) aka “shaking meditation”. This technique involves a series of controlled shaking exercises, aiming to release muscular tension and help reduce your stress levels.
Wellness breaks
With the stresses of modern-day living, we can expect to see wellness holidays rise in popularity over the coming months. Sometimes described as “painmoons”, these breaks are designed for those who are looking to relax after a prolonged period of poor mental health.9 The most popular wellness breaks are expected to be nature immersion getaways, silence retreats and preventative wellness holidays.9
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1 Health Line, 2 Financial Times, 3 Live Strong, 4 The Guardian, 5 Self.com, 6 Huffington Post, 7 BHG, 8 The Thirty, 9 Refinery 29