Raise an eyebrow at these new food trends

There’s always some new health trend waiting around the corner. Whether it’s tai chi or chai tea, there’s never a shortage of new entrants in the health and wellness industry.

Many foods do actually provide a number of health benefits. After all, not all trend balloons are filled with hot air. Let’s take a look at a few of the health food trends in 2016.

Birch Water
As you would imagine, birch water comes from birch tree sap. But it isn’t thick like you would imagine. It has a much thinner consistency, similar to tea. You can expect a sweet, piney finish on the palate. It also contains interesting characteristics, such as saponins and xylitol, two elements that help regulate your cholesterol level and keep tooth decay at bay.

Aquafaba
Do you like canned chickpeas? Did you know you can use the liquid they are packed in as an egg-white replacement? This is a great option for vegans. Simply whip the liquid and it will thicken into an egg-white consistency. It’s a great choice for those wishing to avoid eggs, but still want the option of cooking with eggs.

Bugs
Sure, meat and plants get all the protein credit, but have you ever tried fried grasshoppers? Insects are a great lean protein with a low carbon footprint. You don’t have to run a huge factory farm for insects! If you were to replace the amount of protein you eat from meat sources with insect sources, your protein-to-fat ratio would fall dramatically.

Would you be willing to try birch water, aquafaba or insects at your next meal? Indeed, the future of food is looking more interesting by the day.