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 in 2004 because she wanted to inspire her fellow people to enjoy life and to create a beautiful and extraordinary living environment. As a lover of the American style of living, she believes that American furniture such as the rocking chair for a relaxed evening, kitchen accessories for delicious recipes, scented candles for time out and gourmet items such as the purest maple syrup in the world or the best barbecue sauces are part of it. In general, food is a large part of American Heritage's range, as it is part of the slogan Home – Garden – Food .
It seems that every year there are new trends and ideas about food. It's easy to lose track or keep track. What used to be promoted as being good for your health no longer counts. So we ask ourselves: should you 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 view on everything to do with healthy eating:
Sabine, do you like to eat?
Oh yes, I love eating, especially in company. I love sitting at a big table and eating with my big family and friends. I'm also very curious and like to try new things. That suits me very well at American Heritage, because of course I'm always on the lookout for new products.
Where do you find the products for American Heritage?
I like traveling around America and I also get to visit the Fancy Food Show. This is THE culinary trade show in America, where many new food trends are presented. And there are many great manufacturers there who present 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 there was not much demand for them 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 are asked about gluten-free products every day.
And what do you like to eat most?
I love all kinds of vegetables - steamed, grilled or from the oven - and could actually eat pancakes every day, but I only have them on the weekends due to time constraints. However, my pancakes are gluten-free and contain lots of protein and, of course, our "liquid gold", the purest maple syrup in the world. I've even thought about opening a pancake house.
Why didn't you?
Well, we once had a pie cafe in our Munich shop and I saw how much time it takes. Good gastronomy always needs new recipes and I tried out new pies every weekend. My children were happy, but as a business owner I travel a lot and need my time off.
If you see so much at the trade fairs, what is your favorite food trend?
That's a good question. And I have to explain a little more here. Of course, I also want to eat consciously and have tried out lots of things. But unfortunately that backfired a little. I left out certain foods and then got into a spiral of omissions. Enjoyment was no longer the main focus, but rather just optimizing food according to trends that are currently going through the media. I escaped this spiral and a real food crisis by doing an Ayurveda treatment. Since then, I have loved my food again and cook every day with great joy. Above all, fresh vegetables with great spices, fish or meat now and again and also 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 the last few years?
The glue gluten is probably familiar to everyone today. But do we now have to do without bread, pizza, beer, etc.? Of course, moderation with carbohydrates always makes sense, but that doesn't mean we have to do without it completely. Gluten, even if it is much more common with today's grains than it used to be, is a completely natural protein. It causes problems when consumed in large quantities or when there is an intolerance, just like any other allergy. Nevertheless, I am happy about alternative grains and bakers who offer products without wheat, sometimes even gluten-free. Variation is the motto, but not a strict ban.
Sugar has long had negative connotations. Bad for your teeth etc. is what people like to say when you want to snack on something extra. Nevertheless, sugar is important, as our body needs it to function. The problem is not the sugar, 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 the daily sugar requirement. But that is no reason to completely forgo a sweet treat like fruit or hot chocolate. Here too, a ban tends to stimulate the appetite and then we eat even more.
Also about Meat is being discussed more and more often today. Important ethical questions and environmental protection aside - cholesterol is the problem here. But meat also has good sides, e.g. protein and iron for our bodies, and is often eaten in the Paleo diet. But here too, 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. Just everything in moderation, as our bodies can tolerate it.
Food Trends in Practice
Anyone who wants to try alternative meal plans try We recommend the Keto, Paleo or Whole 30 diet. ketogenic food We avoid carbohydrates and sugar in particular, but can 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 so you become lighter despite eating fatty foods.
At the Paleo diet As the name suggests, we eat based on the diet of our ancestors with lots of meat, fish, fruit and vegetables - just like the hunters and gatherers of yesteryear. We also avoid carbohydrates from grains and sugar, but also milk and pulses, which are typical agricultural products. Part of this "natural" diet is also an extensive training program. After all, the hunters and gatherers also had to move around a lot when looking for food.
And last but not least, we recommend you to test the Whole-30 Method. The idea is simple: We abstain from everything for 30 days, especially sugar and carbohydrates (like Paleo). The aim here is not to lose weight or anything like that, but simply to give the body the opportunity to recognize what tastes good and what is good for it without adding sugar etc. After the 30 days, you can then put together a new meal plan around these favorites (including carbohydrates and sugar) with the aim of improving your quality of life without having to do without permanently. It is also interesting that many things taste extremely sweet afterwards. A team from American Heritage has already tried out this approach from America together and stuck with it for 30 days.
When eating according to Ayurveda we humans are categorized into different types and are thus given the opportunity to eat more individually. In addition, meals are often eaten warm to improve digestion and very cold food is avoided. Special spices such as ginger, fennel, cardamom and turmeric support the important digestive process. And exercise is also part of this way of life. Basically, there are few prohibitions and the joy of life is an important part of this way of eating.
Conclusion
Abstinence - that is unfortunately the conclusion of many food trends and diets. But does it really have to be that way? Gluten-free, low-meat and sugar-free diets all promise us balance and harmony, often at the expense of taste and joy of life.
Instead of renunciation to practice, let us just listen to our body more often when it tells us what it wants and what makes it 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 should not let them dictate our lifestyle and our own well-being.
So let’s just conscious look at our plates and our bodies and feast healthily and contentedly, without pressure and regret . Because life is really too short for that, isn't it?
Bon appetit.
