The Top 9 Surprising Health Food Trends According to Google

Acai is famous for being rich in antioxidants and great for heart health. Interest in this power fruit peaked in 2009 and slowly declined, only to be brought back to “trending” status in August 2013 with the invention of the acai bowl: a delicious morning invention that combined the colorful fruit with other berries and granola.

1. Chocolate Banana Acai Bowl: The best part of making your own bowl is being able to personalize everything exactly the way you like it. More chocolate than banana? It’s all good. (via Brit + Co)

2. Tropical Fruit Bowl: If you can’t find the berries, just add acai powder to your favorite smoothie and switch out frozen berries to make more of a soft-serve texture. Top off the bowl with fresh fruit, shredded coconut and some granola. (via Just Putzing Around the Kitchen)

3. Peanut Butter Acai Bowl: If you’re worried you need a little more protein in the morning or are looking for a great preworkout snack, try adding peanut butter or almond butter to your fruit bowl. (via The Acci “Dental” Chef)

Matcha Tea

Matcha is still on the upward trend, with this ancient samurai drink popping up in everything from sweet desserts to savory dishes. It’s full of antioxidants, boosts metabolism, detoxifies and burns calories. Truly a drink for the modern warrior.

1. Iced Maple Matcha Latte: Switch out your next coffee for this green power drink and you’ll be amazed at how much energy you have. Sweetened with maple syrup and coconut milk, this healthy drink is totally worth getting addicted to. (via Green Healthy Cooking)

2. Tropical Punch Green Smoothie: Close your eyes and you’ll feel like you’re on a beach somewhere sipping a coconut-ginger-mango smoothie. Open your eyes and you’ll realize you need to Instagram that amazing green color ASAP. (via I Sugar Coat It)

3. Matcha Mallows: Adding a superfood like matcha to a less-than-superfood like marshmallow totally makes these healthy, right? Squish these handmade mallows between homemade crackers or let them melt into a delicious green puddle in a cup of tea. (via Miss Hangry Pants)

Turmeric

Turmeric has just started reaching peak trendiness, and Google suggests that it will continue to rise in popularity over the next few months. This bright orange spice is said to help fight diabetes, cancer, heart attacks and joint pain, and it’ll even make your skin glow.

1. Chocolate Turmeric Smoothie: If you’re a fan of Mexican hot chocolate, you’ll love the spicy kick the turmeric gives to this chocolate smoothie. Toss in an avocado and a banana to make a creamy and delicious breakfast or on-the-go snack. (via Wandering Root)

2. Nectarine Ginger Turmeric Smoothie: This might become your new favorite workout drink, since the ginger and turmeric help soothe aching muscles. (via The Gantzery)

3. Hot Spiced Turmeric Milk: If colder weather has got you down, brighten up those dreary evenings with a hearty mug of turmeric milk. The spiciness almost comes across as ginger-like, and with some cardamom, cinnamon and some honey to sweeten it up, this is a golden cup of healthy goodness. (via My Second Breakfast)

4. Butternut Squash, Coconut and Turmeric Soup: Since it technically is a spice, turmeric is a welcome addition to all those wintery soups. This soup is everything you crave during the holiday season, and the coconut milk is the perfect way to make a vegan and creamy soup. (via The Green Life)

Coconut Oil

Yes, you’ve been hearing people rave about all the benefits of using coconut oil for a few years now, but apparently the hype is sticking around — coconut oil really is that good for you. Along with many beauty uses, it also can reduce stress, help control cholesterol and aid with weight loss. Over and over, coconut oil keeps topping the health food charts, and Google hints that interest is only going to keep growing.

1. Vegan Nutella: Nutella is always a good idea. And a version that’s made out of only healthy ingredients? Yes, feel free to eat the entire jar. (via Brit + Co)

2. Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies: You won’t even miss the butter in these gooey chocolate chip cookies. And since there is no egg, the cookie dough is free for the snacking. Bliss. (via Something Swanky)

3. Coconut Almond Granola: If you’ve never tried making granola from scratch, you’ll be amazed at how simple it is. Plus it’s the bomb on those acai bowls. (via Brit + Co)

Vegan Cheese

Cheese that is made out of nuts or other plants has been on the rise since 2012, probably because it’s been getting progressively tastier and tastier. It is forecasted to remain buzzy through next year, which means more cheesy, dairy-free deliciousness is headed our way.

1. Vegan Blueberry Cream Cheese: Just look at that color. Who wouldn’t want a breakfast that looks that vibrant? A food processor makes this six-ingredient recipe a cinch to make, and then you can experiment with adding your own favorite fruit. (via The Vegan 8)

2. Vegan Pizza With Cashew Cheese: While the kids might prefer their cheese a little more gooey, cashew cheese makes a nice creamy base for homemade pizza. (via The Colorful Kitchen)

3. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches: Now that’s a cheesy sandwich that could stand its ground next to a real cheddar version. The trick to working with vegan cheese is to mix several different brands and to keep the heat fairly low so the “cheese” actually melts. (via Zsu’s Vegan Kitchen)

4. Five-Ingredient Mexican Cheese Dip: The addition of roasted red peppers to this “cheese” sauce gives it that good orange cheddar color, and cashew milk is great for a smooth, cheesy texture. (via Hello Natural)

Coconut Flour

For those with gluten restrictions, coconut flour is a great alternative. It doesn’t add any funny flavor to your desserts, and you can use it in savory dishes too without worrying about it getting too sweet. Plus it’s got all the benefits of coconut, which totally gives it a boost over other alternative flours and is making it super trendy.

1. Coconut Flour Mug Cake: You are six ingredients and one quick microwaved minute away from a gooey, chocolatey paleo dessert. No, it’s not too good to be true. (via Fit Foodie Finds)

2. Coconut Flour Porridge With Roasted Apricots: Add some extra fiber to your morning breakfast by adding some coconut flour. And dress up that bowl with a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes, berries, cherry compote, a splash of maple syrup and whatever other delicious things you have in your fridge. (via The Whinery)

3. Vegan Banana Bread: Quick bread was made for the holiday season. The little loaves are so portable and compact, and would make ideal hostess gifts that are thoughtful and yummy. And with this vegan version, you’ll ensure everyone can enjoy a slice. (via Life’s Little Sweets)

Apple Cider Vinegar

Along with coconut oil, apple cider vinegar is one of those things that just does it all. You can literally use it for everything (and our beauty expert Misty actually did) from personal hygiene to cleaning the house and, of course, drinking it. It is an antimicrobial and can help with weight loss, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

1. Bonfire Cider: Stave off germs this winter season with a hearty dose of this cure-all. Packed with flu-fighting ingredients like ginger, lemon, garlic and echinacea root, those bugs won’t even know what hit them. (via Yuri Elkaim)

2. Apple Cider Vinegar and Ginger and Honey Switchel: If you cringe at the thought of drinking apple cider vinegar, you have to try switchel, which combines apple cider vinegar with either honey or maple syrup and sparkling water. It’s so delicious you won’t even realize you’re drinking vinegar. (via Rose and Ivy Journal)

3. Apple Pie Elixir: Fall-inspired spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger not only make this vinegar drink palatable, but add their own health benefits too. (via The Kiwi Cook)

4. Strawberry Shrub Cooler: A shrub is basically a fruit and vinegar syrup, and the sweetness of the fruit is the perfect accent to the tart apple cider vinegar. Mix it up with sparkling water or use it as a base for cocktails. Being healthy doesn’t have to be so serious all the time, right? (via Jelly Toast)

5. Lavender Kumquat Shrub: Now that you have discovered the magical world of shrub drinks, here is another combination to tickle your fancy. Trendy and delicious is the only way to be. (via The Bojon Gourmet)

Bone Broth

Bone broth is a new and (quickly) rising star, probably thanks to celebrities like Shailene Woodley who swear it’s the best thing ever. The list of benefits is long and includes curing issues like food intolerances, protecting joints, aiding sleep, improving your memory and boosting the immune system. Cheers to that.

1. Homemade Bone Broth: While you might be able to find bone broth at your local health food store, there is something satisfying about being able to make your own and knowing exactly what is going into it. Plus you can really embrace the paleo lifestyle and feel like a true caveman with your pot of bones. (via Eat. Thrive. Glow)

2. Slow Cooker Bone Broth: Once you get the hang of making bone broth (it’s actually super easy, especially if you have a slow cooker), you can always have a few jars on hand for drinking or using as a base for soups. (via The Healthy Maven)

3. Veggie Bone Broth: Adding vegetables to your bone broth boosts the nutrient level and adds calcium and magnesium, two important minerals that are easily absorbed through food. Bone broth also contains glucosamine and chondroiton, which can help with joint pain. (via Eat and Edit)

4. Paleo Pho With Bone Broth: There are a ton of other things you can do with your bone broth instead of sipping on it by the mugful. One option is to make a quick and easy pho with some noodles and your favorite veggies. (via Rubies and Radishes)

Pitaya Bowls

Instagramming foodies, get your cameras ready for some serious food porn. These are kind of the same as acai bowls, but made with pureed pitaya, also known as dragonfruit. This fruit is relatively new on the health food scene, just peaking in June 2015, but hopefully it sticks around for a while. As well as being seriously pretty, dragonfruit is supposed to help with digestion and boost the immune system, and is rich in antioxidants, fiber, magnesium and vitamin B.

1. Almond Banana Dragon Fruit Bowl: After you’re done swooning over the color of this smoothie bowl, go find some dragon fruit immediately. Smoothie bowls are much more satisfying to eat than a plain smoothie because of the crunchy granola and added fresh fruit. Did we mention that color?? (via Eating Bird Food)

2. Dragon Fruit Smoothie: Just imagine how much better your morning routine would be if you knew you had this waiting for you. Blend up dragon fruit with pineapples, bananas and coconut water to get those tropical vibes going. (via See and Savour)

3. Mango Coconut and Dragonfruit Smoothie: Color-blocked smoothie? Absolutely. It’s a little more time consuming since you’ll have to rinse your blender between layers, but for a special morning treat, it’s totally worth it. (via Downshiftology)

4. Dragon Fruit Bowl: Even though the color is crazy bold, the flavor of dragon fruit is fairly mild, which means you can pile on all kinds of fruit and not worry about the flavors competing. Blending up the smoothie part with frozen fruit will give you that yummy slushy texture. (via Keepin’ It Kind)

What trendy health foods have you been loving lately? Talk to us in the comments below!