In 2014 healthy eating became trendy.
Suddenly everyone was slurping green smoothies, soaking chia seeds and... erm dancing around in Kale sweatshirts (we're looking at you, Beyoncé).
It's almost too much to keep track of. So we asked experts to spill the beans on the health food trends that defined 2014.
Health Food Trends Of 2014
Sauerkraut(01 of12)
"When I first learnt about sauerkraut, seven years ago whilst studying for my Nutritional Therapy degree," says nutritional therapist Libby Limon.
"I thought that while it was great, it would never catch on. I am eating my words, literally. Now in 2014, we saw it sneak into every nutrition nut's fridge (mine included), like a previously undiscovered gem.
"Sauerkraut not only is high digestion supporting probiotics and glutamine, plus vitamins C and K, it as actually pretty delicious too." (credit:MIB Pictures via Getty Images)
"I thought that while it was great, it would never catch on. I am eating my words, literally. Now in 2014, we saw it sneak into every nutrition nut's fridge (mine included), like a previously undiscovered gem.
"Sauerkraut not only is high digestion supporting probiotics and glutamine, plus vitamins C and K, it as actually pretty delicious too." (credit:MIB Pictures via Getty Images)
Vegan Protein Bars (02 of12)
"With more and more people opting moving towards a plant-based diets for optimal health continues, including veganism, vegetarianism but also flexitarianism. It's important not to forget about protein - thankfully vegan protein powders and bars are coming to fill the gap," says Limon.
"These come in the form of all sorts of plant based protein sources, with a focus on organic and cold pressed products. Products include hemp, sunflower seed, rice, spirulina, pea the list goes on.
"I’m sure more inventive sources and blends can be expected in 2015. Currently http://thatprotein.com, www.pulsin.co.uk and www.sunwarrior.com have come up with some of the best products. (credit:bhofack2 via Getty Images)
"These come in the form of all sorts of plant based protein sources, with a focus on organic and cold pressed products. Products include hemp, sunflower seed, rice, spirulina, pea the list goes on.
"I’m sure more inventive sources and blends can be expected in 2015. Currently http://thatprotein.com, www.pulsin.co.uk and www.sunwarrior.com have come up with some of the best products. (credit:bhofack2 via Getty Images)
Bee Pollen(03 of12)
"When Victoria Beckham mentioned bee pollen in her Vogue interview in the spring of this year, it became firmly on the health food radar," explains Limon.
"Bee pollen is the food of the young bee and it is approximately 40% protein. It is considered one of nature's most completely nourishing foods.
"It contains nearly all nutrients required by humans. About half of its protein is in the form of free amino acids that are ready to be used directly by the body." (credit:Ken Lucas via Getty Images)
"Bee pollen is the food of the young bee and it is approximately 40% protein. It is considered one of nature's most completely nourishing foods.
"It contains nearly all nutrients required by humans. About half of its protein is in the form of free amino acids that are ready to be used directly by the body." (credit:Ken Lucas via Getty Images)
Super Nutrient Powders(04 of12)
"As healthy homemade smoothies have become regular parts of our daily diets, we have seen the rise of the superfood powders including maca, reishi, lacuma, matcha, raw cacao," says Limon.
"They all have there own health USP and flavour, but overall their job is to supercharge the natural whole ingredients with an abundance of antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals."Tipper Lewis, head herbalist at Neal’s Yard Remedies, adds:"Superfoods are natures gift, they’re nutritionally dense foods that offer us tremendous dietary potential.
"They’re often incredible sources of protein, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, essential fatty acids and amino acids. Each superfood has unique nutritional qualities, offering us a powerful way to improve our diet, optimising health and vitality.
"Nowadays we think of superfoods as a trend, endorsed by celebrities, whereas in fact they’ve been used for thousands of years to boost vigour, vitality, energy and fertility – often thought of as elixirs of youth in many cultures." (credit:Kristin Duvall via Getty Images)
"They all have there own health USP and flavour, but overall their job is to supercharge the natural whole ingredients with an abundance of antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals."Tipper Lewis, head herbalist at Neal’s Yard Remedies, adds:"Superfoods are natures gift, they’re nutritionally dense foods that offer us tremendous dietary potential.
"They’re often incredible sources of protein, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, essential fatty acids and amino acids. Each superfood has unique nutritional qualities, offering us a powerful way to improve our diet, optimising health and vitality.
"Nowadays we think of superfoods as a trend, endorsed by celebrities, whereas in fact they’ve been used for thousands of years to boost vigour, vitality, energy and fertility – often thought of as elixirs of youth in many cultures." (credit:Kristin Duvall via Getty Images)
Spiralizing(05 of12)
"Spiralizng vegetables can make anything from courgette spaghetti and cucumber noodles to carrot ribbons to cauliflower rice," says Limon.
"It benefits by replacing refined carbohydrates such white rice or pasta with vegetable bases for dishes, creating a shift from calorie-dense nutrient-hollow foods to low calorie more nutritious meals."
Posted via email from Jessica Mullen's Health Lifestream (credit:jessica mullen/Flickr)
"It benefits by replacing refined carbohydrates such white rice or pasta with vegetable bases for dishes, creating a shift from calorie-dense nutrient-hollow foods to low calorie more nutritious meals."
Posted via email from Jessica Mullen's Health Lifestream (credit:jessica mullen/Flickr)
Gluten-Free Diets(06 of12)
"While coeliac disease (gluten allergy) affects 1 in 100 people in the UK, there is an emerging condition called 'gluten sensitivity' which doesn't involve the immune system per se," says nutritionist Jo Travers.
"It's quite a hard diet to follow but there are a lot more proprietary products now such as GF pasta/bread etc so is becoming a bit more accessible for people who don't have coeliac disease.
"The gluten free diet has been around for a while but it seems like lots of people really started to embrace it in 2014." (credit:Karin Dreyer via Getty Images)
"It's quite a hard diet to follow but there are a lot more proprietary products now such as GF pasta/bread etc so is becoming a bit more accessible for people who don't have coeliac disease.
"The gluten free diet has been around for a while but it seems like lots of people really started to embrace it in 2014." (credit:Karin Dreyer via Getty Images)
Sugar(07 of12)
"Sugar has been the bad guy since January and lots of my clients have reported being addicted to sugar," says Travers.
"The jury is still out as to whether it is possible to be addicted to sugar, but people really do seem to feel that way.
"I think there has been a move towards cutting down on sugar in its traditional form and big companies like Coca Cola have introduced a "semi-skimmed" version with half sugar, half stevia (a natural sweetner)." (credit:YelenaYemchuk via Getty Images)
"The jury is still out as to whether it is possible to be addicted to sugar, but people really do seem to feel that way.
"I think there has been a move towards cutting down on sugar in its traditional form and big companies like Coca Cola have introduced a "semi-skimmed" version with half sugar, half stevia (a natural sweetner)." (credit:YelenaYemchuk via Getty Images)
Saturated Fat(08 of12)
"This year a large study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, found that there wasn't enough evidence to recommend that low saturated fat diets reduce cholesterol risk," says Travers.
"As a result I have seen loads of people switching back to butter.
"However, the BHF have not changed its advice as a result of the study feeling that more evidence is needed first." (credit:Image by Catherine MacBride via Getty Images)
"As a result I have seen loads of people switching back to butter.
"However, the BHF have not changed its advice as a result of the study feeling that more evidence is needed first." (credit:Image by Catherine MacBride via Getty Images)
Coconut Oil(09 of12)
"Organic Virgin Coconut Oil is a multi-purpose oil which helps nourish the body, inside and out," says Travers.
"This organic oil offers a multitude of benefits including conditioning hair and moisturising dry skin when applied topically, as well as an abundance of health benefits when taken internally, such as helping promote weight loss, being good for brain function and increasing energy and endurance.
"It is packed full of healthy fats including lauric acid, caprylic acid and capric acid which contain antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties."
Vita Coco nutritionist and best-selling health writer Amanda Hamilton calls it ‘natures wonder ingredient’ explaining: “Coconut oil consists partly of lauric acid, a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT). MCT’s have a host of health benefits, they are known to boost HDL (good) cholesterol and studies also show promising findings on the antimicrobial and anti-ageing brain effects too.”
Gut health and immunity - “The properties of lauric acid have been shown to have antimicrobial effect and when consumed as a regular part of the diet can potentially benefit gut health - which in turn is linked to immunity.” (credit:PicturePartners via Getty Images)
"This organic oil offers a multitude of benefits including conditioning hair and moisturising dry skin when applied topically, as well as an abundance of health benefits when taken internally, such as helping promote weight loss, being good for brain function and increasing energy and endurance.
"It is packed full of healthy fats including lauric acid, caprylic acid and capric acid which contain antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties."
Vita Coco nutritionist and best-selling health writer Amanda Hamilton calls it ‘natures wonder ingredient’ explaining: “Coconut oil consists partly of lauric acid, a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT). MCT’s have a host of health benefits, they are known to boost HDL (good) cholesterol and studies also show promising findings on the antimicrobial and anti-ageing brain effects too.”
Gut health and immunity - “The properties of lauric acid have been shown to have antimicrobial effect and when consumed as a regular part of the diet can potentially benefit gut health - which in turn is linked to immunity.” (credit:PicturePartners via Getty Images)
Omega Oils(10 of12)
"Omega oils don't just look after the surface of your skin, but provide the essential nutrition that it needs to renew, maintain and repair," says Tipper Lewis, head herbalist at Neal’s Yard Remedies.
"You should consume a balance of omega 3 and omega 6, as well as consuming 9 nourishing omega fatty acids, essential nutrients and anti-oxidants that the skin needs to replenish itself and keep you looking and feeling beautiful from the inside, out."Try: Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic Beauty Oil (credit:AlexPro9500 via Getty Images)
"You should consume a balance of omega 3 and omega 6, as well as consuming 9 nourishing omega fatty acids, essential nutrients and anti-oxidants that the skin needs to replenish itself and keep you looking and feeling beautiful from the inside, out."Try: Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic Beauty Oil (credit:AlexPro9500 via Getty Images)
Super Berries - Acai, goji(11 of12)
"Goji berries are regarded as a national treasure in Tibet where it is known as a ‘key to eternal youth’," says Lewis.
"They are one of the richest antioxidant fruits in the world and contain 500 times more vitamin C than oranges." (credit:Marek Uliasz via Getty Images)
"They are one of the richest antioxidant fruits in the world and contain 500 times more vitamin C than oranges." (credit:Marek Uliasz via Getty Images)
Supergrains – chia, quinoa, buckwheat, spelt(12 of12)
"Our history of using grains goes back over ten thousand years, they’re our main fuel of carbohydrates, releasing energy slowly over long periods of time," says Lewis.
"The germ, or future sprout of the plant in whole unprocessed grains is an amazing source of vitamins B&E and magnesium, zinc, potassium, iron and many other minerals; whilst the bran or the outer husk is a great source of fibre for digestive health. (credit:m-chin via Getty Images)
"The germ, or future sprout of the plant in whole unprocessed grains is an amazing source of vitamins B&E and magnesium, zinc, potassium, iron and many other minerals; whilst the bran or the outer husk is a great source of fibre for digestive health. (credit:m-chin via Getty Images)