These health trends of 2021 are taking this year by storm and changing how we approach health.

Never has there been a year where people were so dedicated to choosing a healthier option. This is not only good for people, but it is good for the environment as well!

Health Trends of 2021

These 2021 health trends are quickly gaining popularity and becoming more acknowledged in the US. Some are new, while others are traditional practices that we are just now getting on board with.

All of these trends are centered around making better choices, taking better care of your health and mental health, and choosing healthier options for you and the earth.

1. Postbiotics

Postbiotics are a byproduct of the fermentation that goes into probiotics. Scientists are studying their anti-inflammatory properties as well as their antioxidant benefits. They might be able to boost the immune system naturally as well as improve your guts barrier.

2. Mental Fitness

Mental fitness is becoming just as important as physical fitness in 2021! The term is meant to embody the idea of becoming mentally fit, which results in better mental health.

Mental fitness can include therapy, meditation, breathing exercises, or just focusing on mental health. Mental health is super important and has a direct impact on physical health, so his is a trend that we should all get on board with!

3. AI-Created and Lab-Grown Food

AI food was once a dream of the future, but now it is here and very real!

We have already seen man-made food such as meat that is grown in a lab. But now, we are also able to experience other high-tech, like plant-based dairy products.

Some brands are now able to replicate the protein that is in dairy, making it easier than ever to create animal-free options that taste just as good. This allows ice cream brands and any other kind of dairy brand to go cruelty-free and dairy-free, without having to sacrifice on flavor or texture.

4. Virtual Wellness

Virtual wellness is taking off and taking off fast right now! With the Covid pandemic came the need for more virtual options. This mostly entailed health care and work, but now it includes wellness as well.

So many virtual classes and experiences have taken off since last year, and virtual wellness is joining the pack. There are so many options including breathing and meditation apps, virtual therapy, virtual mental health classes, and so on!

Virtual wellness is one of the more popular options for these health trends as people are starting to focus more on their wellness and mental health and are in need of accessible, remote options.

5. Kelp

In case you haven’t heard yet, kelp is now the new kale. This is one of those health trends that took most of us by surprise.

This type of seaweed is not only packed with minerals, vitamins, and nutrients. It is incredibly sustainable as it requires no human help to grow quickly and easily. It even helps to purify the water around it. Making the oceans cleaner and better for the sealife here.

There are all kinds of dishes that go well with kelp and create nutritional powerhouses. What was once only a staple in Korean, Japanese, and Chinese cuisines, is now taking off in America and becoming a normal occurrence in American diets.

6. Microgreens

Microgreens are nothing new, in fact, you might have already heard of them. However, they have recently gained much more popularity.

Microgreens are the baby greens of plants like carrots or broccoli. Studies have shown that microgreens have much more nutrients compared to mature greens and vegetables.

The tiny shoots are tender and often bright-tasting – perfect for salads or using as a garnish. What was once not accessible to most is now very easy to find in most grocery stores!

7. Food That Fights Climate change

Food production contributes to Climate change in a startling way. Pesticides, food exports, and Pollution from factory farmis are very damaging to the environment.

This year is all about health trends that produce food that fights Climate change, or at least have a much smaller footprint. This includes sourcing more sustainable options like kelp, eating more whole foods, finding more sustainable alternatives, and buying local.

8. Air Purification

One big thing that has entered 2021’s health trends is air purification for respiratory health.

Because of Covid, the need for purity and safety is more important than ever. People have been using gloves, masks, sanitizers, and wipes all year but can you do more?

Air purification has become yet another solution to staying safe and keeping yourself and your loved ones healthy. Air purifiers have been flying off of the shelves as people are starting to pay attention to their respiratory health.

This is one trend that shows no signs of going away anytime soon!

9. Preventative Treatments

Modern-day health trends focus more on treating a current issue, while preventative treatments focus on stopping problems from developing in the first place.

This traditional practice just recently started gaining popularity in the West. People are demanding more preventative treatments to maintain health and deter health problems, instead of waiting for health issues to pop up to treat them then.

This has the potential to revolutionize the way we take care of our health!

10. Radical Self-Care

Radical self-care is another term that has been floating around lately and gaining momentum.

This term embodies the idea behind taking care of yourself so you have the capacity to take care of others. It goes beyond the occasional cup of wine or the nightly bubble bath. Radical self-care is much more holistic and focused on healing. 

After a year of isolation, fear, and stress, radical self-care might be the only way for everyone to be able to jump back and reboot their mental wellbeing.

Learn How to Cook Plant-Based Meals at Home!

For those of you interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App — with over 15,000 delicious recipes. It is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

Here are some great resources to get you started:

• Weekly Vegan Meal Plans
• Plant-Based Health Resources
• Plant-Based Food & Recipes
• Plant-Based Nutrition Resources
• The Ultimate Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition
• Budget-Friendly Plant-Based Recipes
• High Protein Plant-Based Recipes
• Plant-Based Meal Prep

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