Registered Dietitian Nutritionists voted and the top 10 healthiest foods of 2023 are in! Each year Dietitians vote through the "What's Trending in Nutrition?" survey to determine what consumers value most in their food. In 2023, affordability, convenience, and immune support were valued most in food purchases.
Here is your top 10 list of health foods for 2023:
10. Non-dairy milk
Non-dairy milk types include almond milk, cashew milk, coconut milk, flax milk, oat milk, soy milk, and hemp milk.
9. Ancient grains
These grains get their "Ancient" name because they haven't changed in thousands of years. They are found in their whole form which is not processed and they are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Ancient grains include amaranth, barley, bulgur, farro, freekah, kamut, millet, quinoa, sorghum, and teff.
8. Green Tea
Is full of antioxidants and may also provide health benefits like improving cognitive function, could possibly help with fat burning, lowering the risk of certain cancers, protecting the brain from aging, helping with oral health, improving blood sugar regulation, helping prevent heart disease, help you with weight loss, and help you live longer according to evidence-based research.
7. Aquatic greens
Algae, seaweed, and sea moss are all examples of edible sea plants. They are rich in vitamins and minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, and iodine. Additional research suggests that they are also a good source of vitamins A, B, and E.
6. Leafy greens
These are the more commonly known leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale, collard greens, beet greens, cabbage, arugula, and romaine lettuce which are powerhouses for vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
5. Nuts
Almonds, pistachios, and walnuts to name just a few. Nuts are a classic food source of protein, healthy fats, and fiber. They are extremely versatile, often consumed as a stand-alone crunchy snack, salad topping, nut butter, or as an ingredient in a smoothie or dessert.
4. Avocado
This green fruit is loaded with nearly 20 vitamins and minerals! It is low in sugar, high in fiber, and MUFAs (monounsaturated fatty acids "good dietary fat" that helps lower cholesterol.
3. Blueberries
Not only are these berries full of antioxidants but they also contain 10x more anthocyanins (a substance that offers protection against coronary heart disease) than any other berry.
2. Seeds
Chia, flax, hemp, pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower seeds provide key nutrients and health benefits that help regulate blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol.
1. Fermented foods
Have you had any kimchi, yogurt, kombucha tea, sauerkraut, or pickled vegetables lately? Fermentation is an ancient process for food preservation. These fermented foods are rich in probiotics which support immune function, improve digestion, and support gut health according to research.
Do any of these top 10 health foods grace your plate? What do you predict the nutrition trends will be in 2024? Please let me know in the comments!