Food is essential to any celebration, whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, graduation, or holiday. But how can we make our food choices more meaningful, creative, and sustainable in 2023? Here are some tips and trends to inspire you.
Choose local and seasonal foods
One way to celebrate with food is to choose local and seasonal ingredients. This means supporting local farmers and producers, reducing environmental impact, and enjoying the freshest and most flavorful foods available. You can also explore your area’s regional cuisines and traditions or try something new from another culture.
Some examples of local and seasonal foods are:
- Strawberries, cherries, and peaches in summer
- Apples, pears, and pumpkins in fall
- Citrus fruits, kale, and root vegetables in winter
- Asparagus, rhubarb, and radishes in spring
Try alternative protein sources
Another way to celebrate with food is to try alternative protein sources that are more sustainable and nutritious than conventional animal products. These include plant-based proteins, such as beans, lentils, tofu, tempeh, seitan, nuts, seeds, and quinoa. You can also experiment with newer innovations, such as lab-grown meat, insect protein, algae protein, and cultured dairy.
Some examples of alternative protein sources are:
- Veggie burgers, nuggets, and sausages made from soy, pea, or wheat protein
- Cricket flour cookies, bars, and granola
- Almond milk yoghurt, cheese, and ice cream
- Lab-grown chicken nuggets, beef patties, and bacon
Make your own nutraceuticals
Nutraceuticals are foods or supplements that have health benefits beyond their nutritional value. They help to prevent or treat various diseases and conditions, such as inflammation, diabetes, cancer, and ageing. You can make nutraceuticals by adding functional ingredients to your recipes, such as antioxidants, probiotics, prebiotics, vitamins, minerals, herbs, spices, and enzymes.
Some examples of nutraceuticals are:
- Smoothies with berries, spinach, flax seeds, and yoghurt
- Salads with kale, avocado, walnuts, and turmeric dressing
- Soups with ginger, garlic, mushrooms, and bone broth
- Desserts with dark chocolate, honey, cinnamon, and nuts
Personalise your nutrition
Personalised nutrition is the idea that each person has different nutritional needs and preferences based on genetics, lifestyle, health status, and goals. You can personalise your nutrition using tools such as DNA tests, blood tests, apps, wearables, and online platforms that can analyse your data and provide customised recommendations. You can also confer with a nutritionist or dietitian to help create a personalised diet plan.
Some examples of personalised nutrition are:
- A keto diet is for someone who wants to improve the blood sugar levels and lose weight
- A vegan diet for someone who wants to reduce their environmental impact and animal suffering
- A gluten-free diet for someone who has celiac disease or gluten intolerance
- A Mediterranean diet for someone who wants to minimise the risk of heart disease
Have fun with food
Finally, the most essential way to celebrate with food is to have fun with it. Food is not simply a source of nutrition but also satisfaction and pleasure. You can have fun with food by trying new recipes or cuisines; making food, art or crafts; playing games or challenges; hosting parties or potlucks; or simply enjoying the company of your loved ones.
Some examples of having fun with food are:
- Making pizza or sushi at home with your family or friends
- Decorating cupcakes or cookies with colourful frosting and sprinkles
- Playing charades or trivia with food-related clues or questions
- Hosting a wine tasting or a cheese tasting with different varieties and pairings
- Enjoying a picnic or a barbecue in the park or the backyard
Food is a beautiful way to celebrate special occasions in 2023. By choosing local and seasonal foods; trying alternative protein sources; making your own nutraceuticals; personalising your nutrition; and having fun with food; you can make your celebrations more meaningful, creative, and sustainable.
