Something to chew on
Jerky is still going strong as a snack—only now, it’s often missing the meat. The key ingredients in plant-based jerkies are creative and varied: Mushrooms, kelp, eggplant, banana, pineapple, and even watermelon have all been turned into jerky (as have soy and seitan, less surprisingly). With flavors like sriracha maple, smoky balsamic, and chocolate and hazelnut (read: Nutella!), these new snacks are definitely worth a try.
Brainy research
Although the science on cannabidiol (CBD) and the aging brain is still in its infancy, exploratory research has shown promising (and buzzy) results. One study reported improvements in quality of life for patients with Parkinson’s with the use of 300 mg per day of CBD oil. And a mini review of research found that CBD warrants being studied as a novel treatment for Alzheimer’s—hardly a surprise given CBD’s promising neuroprotective, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Forget athleisure …
… sleepleisure will be the look of 2020. While athleisure took athletic wear out of the gym and onto the streets (and, well, everywhere), sleepleisure is all about rolling out in clothes you’d typically reserve for lounging on the couch or in bed. Think roomy sweatshirts, soft leggings, robes as outerwear, or quilted, duvet-like jackets. The trend presents an opportunity to prioritize self-care by wearing what feels good—not what we think we “should” wear.
The stamp of approval
Given the ketogenic diet’s popularity, people are increasingly looking for easy ways to identify which food products will fit with their keto diet plan. That’s where certifications come in—notably the Dr. Axe Keto Diet Approved seal and the Keto Certified label (created by The Paleo Foundation). Both signal that a product meets specific standards for things like carbohydrate content and ingredient types. For example, both certifications place serious restrictions on artificial additives.
Ready when you are
Get ready for more ready-to-drink functional beverages in 2020. Craving a can of cold brew coffee? Make it a cold brew coffee that’s also brimming with protein. Hybrid drinks will get plenty of hype—think healthy energy drinks that combine classic electrolytes with muscle-loving branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). Hottest of all will be gut-friendly synbiotic beverages that combine probiotics (“good” bacteria) and prebiotics (“food” for the bacteria in your gut).
