fruit • New Year • food • 2017 • exotic • vegetables • Newsletter • Health & Wellness • 2 min read • Jan 18, 2017 12:00:00 AM • Written by: Kat Smith
Remember just a few years ago, when kale was known as little more than a garnish and quinoa was an unknown grain in the western world? Health foods often seem to come out of nowhere, moving from virtually unheard of to being packed into everything on grocery store shelves. In 2017, you can expect this trend to continue with a new lineup of exotic foods that may be just what your diet needs moving into the New Year.
Ube
Hailing from the Philippines, Ube is a type of yam that has often only been used as a coloring agent thanks to its uniquely dark purple hue. Recently, however, Ube has become a food trend in the United States, showing up in everything from ice cream to chips. As an additive in conventionally unhealthy recipes, Ube brings tons of fiber, potassium, and antioxidants to the table, giving you an excuse to splurge with a richly purple cake or cookie.
Jackfruit
Though jackfruit is nothing new to those hailing from Southeast Asia, many Americans have never heard of it. This odd-looking fruit has a meaty flesh resembling the texture of pulled pork and boasting tons of protein, iron, calcium, and potassium, making it a likely candidate for the next big meat replacement in increasingly popular vegetarian and vegan diets.
Spigarello
Following in the footsteps of kale, spigarello is a dark, leafy green that brings a bitter taste and loads of nutritional value. Don’t let the bitterness scare you off, since these greens will mellow out when sautéed or put in soups, allowing a sweeter, more broccoli-like taste to shine through.
Amaranth
Through the years, carbohydrates have been demonized by healthy eaters, but it is important to remember that all carbs are not alike. When you opt for wholesome, ancient grains like amaranth, you will benefit from more protein and fiber in every dish, allowing you to savor side dishes like polenta or hearty breads. Amaranth is everything you might want in a grain; it’s gluten-free, high in fiber, and likely to become readily available in supermarkets throughout the year.
Whether you are navigating dietary restrictions or embarking on a weight loss journey with your new food choices, count on MeMD to offer medical support and guidance when it comes to your nutritional needs.
