The most important things at a glance:
- Food trends and diets come and go
- Conscious nutrition is better than strict abstinence
Sabine Ryan has American Heritage Founded in 2004 because she wanted to inspire others to enjoy life and create a beautiful and extraordinary home. As a lover of the American style, she believed that American furniture, such as rocking chairs for relaxing evenings, kitchen accessories for delicious recipes, scented candles for downtime, and gourmet items like the world's purest maple syrup or the best barbecue sauces, were part of the brand's philosophy. Food is a big part of American Heritage's product range, as it's part of its slogan. Home – Garden – Food .
It feels like every year there are new trends and ideas surrounding food. It's easy to lose track or overlook everything. What was once touted as healthy no longer counts. So we ask ourselves: Should we try gluten-free food, go vegan, or go back to eating schnitzel? Sabine Ryan knows these questions all too well and is happy to share her very own perspective on everything related to healthy eating:
Sabine, do you like to eat?
Oh yes, I love eating, especially with friends. I love sitting at a big table and eating with my extended family and friends. I'm also very curious and enjoy trying new things. This suits me very well at American Heritage, as I'm naturally always on the lookout for new products.
Where do you find the products for American Heritage?
I enjoy traveling through America and, incidentally, I also get to visit the Fancy Food Show. It's THE culinary trade show in America, where many new food trends are presented. And there are many fantastic manufacturers there presenting their delicacies.
And these food trends are also popular in Germany?
Well, the Americans are still a little ahead of us in some things. American Heritage was already offering gluten-free products when it wasn't really in demand here in Europe. I remember that we already had gluten-free baking mixes in our stores, and that was actually a tiny niche. Today, we're asked about gluten-free products every day.
And what do you like to eat most?
I love all kinds of vegetables—steamed, grilled, or baked—and could eat pancakes every day, but due to time constraints, I usually only have them on the weekends. However, my pancakes are gluten-free and high in protein, and of course, with our "liquid gold," the world's purest maple syrup. I've even toyed with the idea of opening a pancake house.
Why didn't you?
Well, we once had a Pie Cafe in our Munich store, and I saw how much time it takes. Good gastronomy also requires constant new recipes, and I tried new pies every weekend. My children were delighted, but as a business owner, I travel a lot and need my time off.
Given that you see so much at the trade fairs, what is your favorite food trend?
That's a good question. And I need to explain a little more here. Of course, I also want to eat mindfully and have tried out a lot of things. But unfortunately that backfired a little. I left out certain foods and then got caught in a spiral of omissions. Enjoyment was no longer the focus, but only the optimization of food according to trends that were currently circulating in the media. I escaped this spiral and a real food crisis through an Ayurvedic treatment. Since then, I have loved my food again and cook every day with great joy. Especially fresh vegetables with great spices, fish or meat now and again, and I also like a dessert. Joy of life is the best ingredient for a healthy life.
Food trends – what’s the hype about?
What is the truth behind all the great fad diets of recent years?
The glue gluten I'm sure everyone knows this today. But do we really have to give up bread, pizza, beer, and the like? Of course, moderation with carbohydrates always makes sense, but that doesn't mean we have to do without them completely. Gluten, even if it's much more common with today's grains than it used to be, is a completely natural protein. It causes problems when consumed in excessive amounts or when there's an intolerance, just like any other allergy. Nevertheless, I'm happy about alternative grains and bakers who offer products without wheat, sometimes even gluten-free. Varying is the key, but not a strict ban.
Sugar has long had negative connotations. It's bad for your teeth, etc., is often the response when you want to snack on something extra. Nevertheless, sugar is important; our bodies need it to function. The problem isn't the sugar itself, but rather the large amount, which is often hidden in unlikely places. Two slices of bread or an apple, for example, already cover most of our daily sugar intake. But that's no reason to completely forgo a sweet treat like fruit or hot chocolate. Here, too, a ban tends to stimulate our appetite, and then we eat even more.
Also about Meat is being discussed more and more frequently these days. Important ethical questions and environmental protection aside, cholesterol is the problem here. But meat also has its advantages, such as protein and iron for our bodies, and is often eaten in the Paleo diet. But even here, purely plant-based alternatives such as tofu, beans, and nuts can be used more often. If you don't have to eat steak every day, you don't have to give up meat for the sake of your health. Everything in moderation, as our bodies can tolerate it.
Food trends in practice
Anyone who has ever tried alternative meal plans try we recommend the Keto, Paleo or Whole 30 diet. ketogenic food We primarily avoid carbohydrates and sugar, but are allowed to eat fatty foods like meat and eggs. Due to the lack of energy from carbohydrates, the body quickly begins to break down fat reserves, and thus, we become lighter despite eating fatty foods.
At the Paleo diet As the name suggests, we eat a diet based on the diet of our ancestors, with plenty of meat, fish, fruit, and vegetables—just like the hunter-gatherers of yesteryear. We also avoid carbohydrates from grains and sugar, as well as milk and legumes, typical agricultural products. Part of this "natural" diet is also an intensive exercise program. After all, hunter-gatherers also had to move a lot while searching for food.
And last but not least, we recommend you to test the Whole 30 Method. The idea is simple: For 30 days, we abstain from everything, especially sugar and carbohydrates (like Paleo). The goal here isn't to lose weight or anything like that, but simply to give the body the opportunity to recognize what tastes good and what agrees with it without added sugar and the like. After the 30 days, you can then put together a new meal plan (including carbohydrates and sugar) around these favorites, with the goal of a better quality of life even without permanent abstinence. It's also interesting that many things taste extremely sweet afterwards. A team from American Heritage has already tried this approach from America and stuck with it for 30 days.
When eating according to Ayurveda We humans are categorized into different types, giving us the opportunity to eat more individually. Furthermore, meals are often eaten warm to improve digestion, and very cold foods are avoided. Special spices such as ginger, fennel, cardamom, and turmeric support the important digestive process. Exercise is also part of this lifestyle. Generally, there are few prohibitions, and the joy of life is an important component of this diet.
Conclusion
Abstinence – that's unfortunately the conclusion of many food trends and diets. But is it really necessary? Gluten-free, low-meat, and sugar-free diets all promise us balance and harmony, often at the expense of taste and joie de vivre.
Instead of renunciation to practice, let's just listen to our bodies more often when they tell us what they want and what makes them happy. After all, we are all completely individual , why shouldn't our diet be too?
Scientific theory and measurements are certainly good guidelines and ideas, but at the end of the day, we shouldn't let them dictate our lifestyle and our own well-being.
So let’s just more conscious look at our plates and our bodies and feast healthily and contentedly, without coercion or regret . Because life really is too short for that, isn't it?
Bon appetit.
