By Affan Sumaira
Sure when we think of food, Pakistan is one country to suffer extensively from the very high rising grocery costs. And this is why dining in all its galore seems to be something we do with a rather unpredictable loom. But when it comes to eating right, there are some definite trends in 2023 you should be knowing of. This means you will be making a conscious choice to eat well, keeping the welfare of mother earth in mind. Leading health experts and sustainable food advisors have brought forth what it means to make conscious choices to eat well, live longer and adopt wholesome choices. Let’s see what they are :
Boosting Health & Enriching Taste Buds
One of the major things which will be taking a lead is how plants will be playing a significant role in your diet. That means consuming more so of fruits and vegetables. The clean eating trend has been taking the world by storm. And it will definitely be making a strong presence in Pakistan. You will incorporate fruits, vegetables, and legumes into pantry staples like pasta. Varieties like chickpeas, lentils, edamame, spaghetti squash, and green bananas, will certainly be getting the lead. They also come with some additional benefits like allowing people with food allergies or sensitivities to enjoy pasta which tend to have more protein and fiber and fewer carbs than traditional pasta. Other than that, you will be seeing a definite rise in mood-boosting foods. This means you will take on foods and beverages which allow your health to become wholesome. There has been a major interest in feel-good foods that help fight depression, ward off dementia, and support brain health. There have been reports that the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA are in demand because they have been shown to improve symptoms of mood disorders. Expect to hear a lot about natural nootropics, as detailed in research — substances that claim to enhance cognitive functioning, such as L-theanine in green tea, ginseng, lion’s mane mushroom, and gingko biloba.
Nibble on Seafood this Year!
If you have always been one of those who doesn’t like eating seafood, perhaps now is the time to update your preferences. You will be giving your health a major boost that allows you to enjoy food in its absolute form. In Pakistan, there is the notion to eat this healthy food usually in Winter. But seasons don’t define the goodness of seafood. Fish is a great source of lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids, it’s one of the least expensive types of protein you can buy and is fully packed with so much goodness in every bite. Also, greens from the sea are another growing category, to help non-fish fans get their dose of omega-3s. You can find sea greens in both supplement form and as an ingredient in packaged foods from crackers to noodles.
Why Natural Sweeteners Are Actually Good
Sure everyone has a sweet tooth, more or less. This means more people are opting to take on whole foods for sweet cravings and fewer ultra-processed foods. Natural sweeteners are of various kinds and can include maple syrup, coconut sugar, fruit juices, honey, and monk fruit. Dates and products made from them are predicted to be particularly popular. You can find date sugar, date syrup, and any number of products sweetened with dates, from baked goods to hot sauce. All of these allow you to enjoy food in its complete sense, allowing you to indulge in the goodness of what healthy and wholesome food can provide. There is also a leading element to consider the kind of brands you should be consuming. It needs to be completely natural. Health advisors suggest it will not be impacting the taste in any way. But it is going to allow you to enjoy food in the most healthy way.
