What Should You Be Eating In 2022?

Dietitian Juliette Kellow reveals this year's top food and drink trends for those hoping to boost their health and wellbeing

- Juliette Kellow

New food trends can be great news for our health, and 2021 was no exception. Last year saw a sales boom in air fryers – a fat-free alternative to the deep-fat fryer; we rediscovered a love for heart-healthy canned fish, and barbecued watermelon became the must-have summer fruit. The ongoing pandemic meant we cooked more and plant-based diets continued to take centre stage. So what's in store for 2022?

Eating for immunity

Last year saw a 25% increase in new products promising to support immunity - and the trend is set to continue in 2022. Mintel research shows that many companies are planning to launch new immune-friendly foods and drinks, with active botanicals (plant substances) taking the spotlight.

In truth, no individual food or supplement can improve immunity, but eating a healthy, varied diet provides immune-friendly nutrients, including vitamins A, B6, B12, C and D, as well as folate, iron, zinc, copper and selenium.

Postbiotics

Move over probiotics and prebiotics – 2022 will introduce us to postbiotics. The new kid on the block in gut health, postbiotics are the byproducts and chemicals made when probiotics (the good bacteria in our gut) feed on prebiotics (mostly fibre-rich foods).

It's thought postbiotics may explain the many health benefits of probiotics, which include keeping our gut and immune systems healthy.

More research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of postbiotic supplements, so you'd be better incorporating fermented foods such as kimchi, kefir and kombucha - big news last year – into your diet for now.

Blended proteins

Blending animal and plant proteins helps us to eat better for the planet and our health - and it's set to take off in 2022.