11 Foods to Try for Optimal Health 2024

Foodies were having a blast discovering rainbow-colored everything, edible glitter, and new ways to jazz up their Instagram food posts.

Yet, things like spirulina shakes, moon milk, and agar water bottles might not have made it to your palate yet. You are missing out. Here are eleven foods for optimal health that you should definitely try in 2024 because these trending treats are not going anywhere:

If you do not have time to read a lot, please, see our choice of top 6 out of 11 superfoods.

1. Adaptogens
2. Chia seeds
3. Acai
4. Sacha inchi
5. Maca powder
6. Nutritional yeast

1 Monk fruit

Ah, the mighty monk fruit. If you are like me and absolutely refuse to use artificial sweeteners but still like to sweeten up tea and coffee once in a while, going without can be difficult.

Read also – 6 Tricks to Rewire Your Brain to Crave Healthy Food Instead of Junk Food

Thus, when I discovered monk fruit extract, I was elated. Monk fruit is great because it has high antioxidant levels as well as 300-400 times the sweetness of cane sugar but no negative effect on blood glucose. Thank goodness. Use it for baking, sweetening up plain Greek yogurt, and in your bitter coffee without remorse.

2 Cacao

While chocolate is still considered a treat, despite the obvious benefits of dark, unprocessed chocolate, cacao is not a treat. First of all, cacao nibs and powder are not sweet. In fact, it is kind of bitter – but still delicious.

More: 7 Wonderful Benefits of Cocoa Butter

Also, if you are looking for healthy facts, cacao does not disappoint. One serving of cacao powder contains 40 times more antioxidants than blueberries. Additionally, cacao contains iron, calcium, and magnesium.

3 Adaptogens

Though the word itself is buzzing right now, adaptogens are actually nothing new. What are adaptogens, you ask? These substances are defined as a substance that increases the power of resistance against multiple stressors on the body and normalizes influences on physiology.

More: 8 Ways to Jazz Up Your Meditation Practice

Most people will be shocked to find out that most adaptogens are actually found in their pot of brewing herbal tea.

Here is a short list of the most common adaptogens:

• Ashwagandha
• Eleuthero
• Rhodiola Rosea
• Schisandra
• Astragalus
• Licorice
• Moringa
• Holy Basil (Tulsi)
• Maca
• Panax Ginseng
• Gotu Kola

There are powders, teas, and other herbal supplements containing these superfoods that can improve your digestive tract, reduce stress, balance out hormones, and even aid with insomnia. You need this STAT.

4 Turmeric

A lot of people think turmeric is solely for adding a robust orange color to curry and staining literally everything except your teeth. However, until you have tried putting turmeric in coffee or milk or using it on roasted veggies or popcorn, you haven’t lived. Turmeric is a wonderful superfood that contains a crazy amount of nutrients and is also a natural anti-inflammatory.

Read also – 5 Ways Eating Healthy Can Improve Your Mental Health

5 Chia seeds

These lovely little orbs are chock full of fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. Whether you like them as gel or enjoy the extra crunch, chia seeds are definitely for more than just growing their sprouts on a Chia Pet.

Add these to overnight oats, yogurt, cereal, oatmeal, smoothies, and anything that allows them to soak up the liquid and expand. Personally, I love adding chia to homemade rolls. Fewer carbs, more fluffiness.

6 Acai

Not just for adding a charming purple tint of food, acai is a cute little berry with unfathomable benefits. Antioxidants, fiber, and even healthy fats, acai might be hard to pronounce, but the name is worth keeping on your tongue! Besides, if you love posting pictures of food on Instagram, nothing is going to add flair to your breakfast bowl like a dash of acai powder.

7 Sacha inchi

Yes, they do indeed look like peanuts. However, unlike your normal legume, sacha inchi is a complete plant protein. When I first tried it, I had the powder form as a component of a plant protein powder complex.

One-quarter cup of the whole seed yields 8 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber, and a host of healthy fats. The best part is that if you’re allergic to peanuts, sacha inchi is a safe substitute. Score!

8 Superfood powder blends

Yes, sometimes getting enough nutrients throughout the day is hard. Keeping up with the trends can also be expensive. That is why it is always a great idea to see if superfood powders can be of benefit to you by purchasing superfood powder blends.

There are many brands out there selling such mixtures, and many of them focus on colors like purple, green, and orange. The main difference is usually the fruit and vegetable infusions, but the base is usually the same – chia, flax, seeds, maca, adaptogens, and more.

Read also – 10 Marvelous Milkshake Ideas to Try

9 Maca powder

For vegetarians and vegans who want a natural source of calcium, maca powder is an excellent addition to your life. As you might have read above, maca is an adaptogen that has phytonutrients which balance hormones, increases energy levels, and may even have sexual health benefits too. It has a unique flavor that adds zing to your breakfast or smoothie.

10 Nutritional yeast

More often than not, people suffer from some kind of dairy intolerance. Or, you avoid cheese because you are vegetarian or vegan. Whatever the reason you abstain from cheesy goodness, there is a substitute that will make you smile.

Nutritional yeast tastes just like cheese but is also healthier. You nix the saturated fats and gain a complete source of protein, as well as B vitamins to support glowing skin, strong nails, and gorgeous locks.

11 Activated popcorn

What in the world is activated popcorn? Only one brand, Living Intentions, currently makes this ridiculously tasty snack. Basically, activated popcorn is air-popped corn dusted with superfoods and probiotics to make for a mouthwatering, nutritious treat that will trump every single piece of popcorn you have ever tasted. Ever.

More: 6 Tricks to Rewire Your Brain to Crave Healthy Food Instead of Junk Food

Flavors made by Living Intentions include Tandoori Turmeric, Salsa Verde, Cinnamon Twist, and Berry Smoothie.

Swear off junk food in 2024 and start off the new year right by adding these trending superfoods to your diet ASAP. When you do, the shadows of the previous year will dissipate, as will any ailments you might be plagued with. After all, diet is the best doctor, so make 2024 the best year yet with tasty, nutritious superfoods.