Trending Now: How to Add Superfoods to Your Healthcare Menu

While healthy foods are always a top priority for healthcare organizations, there’s an opportunity to distinguish yourself by tapping into some of the recent superfood trends.

Superfoods trends happening now include:

The keto diet is making nutrient-dense food like cauliflower and kale the darlings of the food industry and luckily for the healthcare foodservice industry – cauliflower is in abundant supply at low costs.

Served sautéed, it’s the perfect vegetable side. And, when used in recipes, cauliflower is the perfect substitute for a plethora of foods – including everything from mashed potatoes and rice to pizza crust and bread.

Literally. Foods shown to boost brain health continue to be in high-demand. Foods rich in Omega-3s are the most scientifically proven and easily added to your menu.

A healthy diet should include at least two portions of fish a week. Salmon and cod both fall into the “oily fish” category and are known for their abundance of Omega-3s.

And while fish is the first choice, walnuts, wild rice and chia seeds are all recognized for their high Omega-3 content.

Gut health is increasingly acknowledged for its contributions to total body health, and we’re learning probiotics aren’t as effective as foods known to boost gut health.

Mushrooms and soy are the most notable gut boosters, and ideal in a number of foodservice applications.

Spices have long been hailed for benefits beyond taste, but the darling super spice today is turmeric.

This is the spice that gives curry its yellow color. While it’s been used in India for centuries as both a spice and medicinal herb, recent scientific studies have confirmed its medicinal benefits.

Turmeric and its active ingredient curcumin is shown to be a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant in addition to being linked to brain function and a lower risk of brain diseases. For this reason, turmeric supplements have become popular for individuals at risk for Alzheimer’s Disease.

Mildly aromatic with hints of orange and ginger, turmeric can be sprinkled over scrambled eggs or used in a frittata, tossed with roasted vegetables, added to rice or blended into soups. It goes well with a variety of other spices, including cardamom, cumin, coriander, black pepper, garlic, ginger, mustard seed and even cinnamon.

Whether you’re interested in tapping into one or all of these superfood trends, the experts in Shamrock Foods Healthcare team are here to help with menu ideas, cost management and more. For more information, contact your Shamrock Foods Sales Representative today.