The beginning of a new year is the perfect time for a fresh start, and taking steps toward being healthier—no matter how big or small—is a wonderful idea any time of year. But since most resolutions fizzle out by February, you’ll want some tricks up your sleeve to ensure success.

 

Enlist the help of these 2019 wellness trends to keep that momentum and crush your resolutions this year.

 

#1 Trending in Stress Support: Hemp Oil

 

Trying to keep up in an always-on world can be a pretty stressful experience, and minimizing stress is one of the smartest resolutions you could make because stress has a monumental impact on mind and body health. Plus, stress and sleep are tightly linked—when you’re stressed you may have trouble sleeping, and having trouble sleeping can be a source of stress.

 

If stressing less made your resolution list this year, good for you! But don’t go it alone— we can help with stress, sleep support and more.

 

#2 Trending in Nutrition: Mesonutrients

 

If you have nutritional goals on your mind this year, this trend is for you. “Meso” means “inside,” and it’s all about taking a deeper look—something we’re behind 100%. Beyond calories and macronutrients like fat and protein (although those are important too), mesonutrition focuses on the active ingredients and beneficial compounds in superfoods that impart their wellness superpowers.

 

Which Mesonutrients are Popular?

 

There’s no shortage of trending mesonutrients, and some of them may even sound familiar—like curcumin, the active component of turmeric for anti-aging, joints and cognitive health, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) from green tea for its antioxidant properties, or lutein for vision health in the face of blue light exposure from too much screen time on digital devices.

 

Other mesonutrients you may want to add to your wellness routine include berberine from the Berberi plant for healthy blood sugar balance, antioxidant anthocyanins from tart cherries for joint and heart health, lycopene from red produce for heart and skin health, bones and beyond, and the always-popular resveratrol, which occurs naturally in dark chocolate and wine.

 

#3 Trending in Total-Body Wellness: Herbs are Back in a Big Way

 

Whether your New Year’s resolutions involve goals related to weight, productivity, moving more, stressing less, sleeping better, or just taking better care of yourself overall—there’s an herb for that!

 

Herbs aren’t new in health and wellness—archeologists have found evidence of herbs being used for health purposes dated as early as 60,000 years ago. But this year you can expect to see more of these time-tested health solutions from Mother Nature because modern science is backing up their benefits.

 

Herbal Trends to Try

 

Here are a few herbal trends to help you meet your resolutions.

 

• Adaptogens for Stress: Try adaptogenic herbs like Rhodiola rosea, Ashwagandha, and holy basil to promote a healthy stress response

 

• Ayurvedic Herbs: Many adaptogenic herbs have a history in Ayurvedic traditions, and other Ayurvedic herbs are trending too—like triphala for detox and healthy digestion, rejuvenating amla extract, and shatavari, a balancing herb for women’s health

 

• Brain & Energy Support: Bacopa monneri, ginkgo biloba leaf extract, and coffee fruit extract are clinically-studied to promote mental performance, concentration and focus.

 

• Herbs for Joints: If your resolution is to get moving, support your joints with Yucca featuring clinically-studied herbal ingredients that support joint health and promote joint comfort in as few as 7 days.

 

#4 Trending in Keto: MCT Oil Goes Mainstream

 

After the popularity of keto dieting in 2018, it isn’t surprising that keto staples are showing up everywhere. Specifically, you can expect to see these three letters popping up a lot this year—MCT, which stands for medium chain triglycerides. MCTs are fatty acids, but your body processes them differently than other fats, using them right away for energy. MCT oil is extracted from coconut oil.

 

The keto diet is low carb but high protein and high fat. The keto diet works by tricking your body into thinking it’s fasting—putting your body in a “ketogenic” state, which burns fat instead of carbs for fuel. 

 

For those on the keto diet, MCT oil is good for helping dieters maintain ketosis and boost energy. But even if you aren’t eating keto, it’s energizing and a better choice than saturated fats with some potential health benefits.10 Supporters say it boosts energy and mental focus while helping with weight management goals when paired with diet and exercise.

 

How to Try the MCT Oil Trend

 

The most common way to use MCT oil is to put it in your coffee, which is a spin-off of butter coffee or coconut oil coffee. 

 

But in 2019, carrying MCT oil to add to your coffee will become optional, and its use is expanding. MCT is showing up in coffee shops, creamers and convenient ready-to-use products like snack bars and drinks. 

 

#5 Trending in Food: Plant-Based Proteins

 

Meat substitutes and plant-based proteins have been around for a long time, but they’re getting a lot more realistic and the trend is steadily growing. This past year brought increased popularity of meatless burgers that don’t seem meatless at all—innovative new products that provide the texture, flavor and “beefiness” of a real burger without meat. That success has paved the way for expansions in the world of plant-based meats. What’s trending next? Plant-based fish and vegan seafood.

 

Should You Try the Plant-Based Protein Trend?

 

Meatless protein options aren’t just for vegetarians and vegans. We could all stand to get more plant-based foods in our diets, but preferably from real food sources. Experts say there is evidence that replacing meat-based protein in our diets with plant-based protein may have benefits for heart health, and plant-sourced foods are packed with nutrients. But don’t assume that applies to these new meatless options. They may be plant-based, but most are also highly processed, and you’ll still need to keep your eye on the nutritional information to watch for saturated fat, high sodium content, and other ingredients that you may not want in your diet.

 

We are completely on board with getting more protein from plant-based sources, but the less processed the better. Get your plant-based protein from whole foods that are naturally rich in protein, like nuts and seeds, beans, quinoa, oats, wild rice, and chia seeds. Some vegetables also contain protein, including sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, spinach, and broccoli.

 

For a convenient way to boost your intake of plant-based protein, try Swanson’s Real Food Plant Protein made from simple, wholesome plant sources and nothing artificial. It’s delicious and blends easily with no chalkiness, and it’s available in two flavors— dark chocolate and vanilla. 

 

Stay Tuned for More Wellness Trends

 

We’ll be exploring more hot wellness trends and how they can help you on your wellness journey in future posts. Sign up for Swanson Health emails so you don’t miss a beat! You’ll also get our best deals and special promotions throughout our 50th birthday year. And if you’ve tried one of the wellness trends above, share your experience in the comments below.