You'll be surprised by some of these superfoods tipped for 2019

Pork scratchings, cottage cheese and seaweed have been named as three of the surprising superfoods predicted to take 2019 by storm.
Seaweed, an 'untapped natural resource'Seaweed, an 'untapped natural resource'
Seaweed, an 'untapped natural resource'

The 19 foods expected to fly off the shelves this year, ranging from the exotic lucuma and baobab fruits to fridge essentials like sardines and cottage cheese, has been revealed by online food retailer Musclefood.com.

The list includes some unexpected products.

A spokesman said: “Pork scratchings made the cut. Despite previously getting a bad rep, two thirds of all their fat is made up of mono and polyunsaturated fats that are in fact beneficial for heart health.

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“And because pork scratchings are effectively concentrated collagen from skin, they have a high protein content to keep you feeling full and benefit muscle and bone health – however, their high salt content means you should moderate how often you eat them.”

He added: “This year, we expect watermelon seeds and Swiss chard to become a firm favourite, and whilst sauerkraut might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of superfoods, it does in fact benefit digestion by introducing good bacteria into the stomach.

“Customers are becoming far more adventurous with their eating habits, and we’re expecting that trend to continue in 2019 with the introduction of kefir and sumac into our everyday diets.

“And whilst some items listed like sardines and garlic have been cupboard staples for a while, it’s also good to see some new exciting items on the list like the cassava flour and freekeh.”

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Here are the site’s predictions for which superfoods will be a hit in 2019:

1. Watermelon Seeds

The seeds of watermelon are in fact more nutritious than the flesh we typically eat – packing an impressive 34g of protein in every 100g serving and a host of nutrients.

2. Sardines

The humble sardine has long been overlooked in favour of canned staples such as tuna and salmon. But sardines are a powerhouse of B vitamins and essential nutrients and are an important source of Omega 3 fatty acids.

3. Sorghum

One of the most popular crops in the world, Sorghum has been largely unknown in the UK, until now. It is as versatile as wheat and can be prepared like rice, ground flour for baking and even popcorn. It is gluten free and is a vegan source of protein.

4. Cassava Flour

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Cassava Flour is paleo and vegan friendly in addition to being gluten and nut free. Made from the root vegetable cassava, it’s a new substitute for wheat for 2019.

5. Lucuma

Originating from Peru, the lucuma fruit is packed full of nutrients including sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium, along with anti-inflammatory properties.

See also:

6. Swiss Chard

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This dark, leafy-green is an excellent source of vitamins, K, A and C along with magnesium, potassium, iron and dietary fibre and promises to be a favourite on many a dinner plate this year.

7. Cottage Cheese

High in protein but low in calories and sugar, its steady release energy helps to control hunger.

8. Seaweed

An untapped natural resource, seaweed is rich in iodine, a nutrient not found in many other foods, and studies have shown that eating it can reduce fat absorption.

9. Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut might not come to mind when you think of superfood – it’s often used as a condiment for fast food. However, fermented food benefits digestion by introducing good bacteria into the stomach. Sauerkraut also has high levels of Vitamin K and high fibre content. Nothing sour here!

10. Dark Chocolate

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Who doesn’t love chocolate? The problem is many chocolate products are high in sugar and calorific. However, studies have shown that eating dark chocolate can be beneficial. It has powerful antioxidants and it has been suggested it can even improve your heart health.

11. Garlic

Known for adding distinctive flavour to dishes, Garlic packs a host of nutrients and health benefits, including vitamins C and B6, calcium and manganese, along with being antioxidant rich.