Top 10 Superfoods of 2019

Over 1,300 registered dietitians weighed in for the annual survey of “What’s Trending in Nutrition” taken by Pollock Communications and Today’s Dietitian to create this list of top 10 superfoods of 2019. Here’s what they think will rise to the top, including the three new additions to the list that replace kale, green tea, and salmon, which have been on the list the past couple years.

The term “superfood” is a point of frustration among many dietitians. There’s no regulation or scientific definition of the term, which causes some foods to be overhyped and touted as miracle foods. Surprise, there’s really no one food that’ll help you live forever! But foods given superfood designation do always have some reason for it, whether the food is high in omega-3 fatty acids, is a source of healthy bacteria to encourage gut health, is high in heart-healthy soluble fiber, or contains any number of nutrients or phytochemicals that promote good health. A list of so-called superfoods could be virtually endless, depending on who you ask, but according to nutrition experts these are the 10 foods we’ll be seeing rise to the top in 2019:

10. Non-Dairy Milks

A new addition to the 2019 list of superfoods, we’re not surprised to see non-dairy milk make the cut. Just look at the milk section of your grocery store. You don’t even need to go to the health food department or special nutrition stores to find dozens of nut milks, trendy oat milk, soy milk, hemp milk, and more.

9. Coconut Products

It seems we may be past the peak of the coconut craze due to things like a Harvard professor referring to coconut oil “pure poison” and new saturated fat guidelines from the World Health Organization. In case you didn’t know, one tablespoon of coconut oil has about 13.5 grams of fat and about 11 grams of that is saturated! Many dietitians were surprised to see the surge in its popularity a few years back for precisely this reason, but that doesn’t mean it’s going away for good, as it still comes in at the same number nine position it took last year.

8. Nuts

A regular on the list of superfoods put together by this survey, nuts are a source of non-animal protein, good fats, fiber, and a variety of good-for-you minerals. With the growth of plant-based eating and the impressive nutrition profile, this is one “superfood” we can all agree on.

7. Beets

Beets are another newcomer to the superfood list this year. We know, as an ingredient beets are controversial. Some think they’re purely delicious, while some only taste dirt. But there’s no arguing their growth in popularity in beet and goat cheese salads, or packaged beet noodles. No arguing nutrition either. One cup cooked is full of fat-soluble vitamins A and K, potassium, magnesium, calcium, folate, potassium, and fiber. So, if you’re on team “it tastes like dirt,” it’s time to try beets pickled, roasted, or other new ways so you can reap the benefits.

6. Blueberries

Surprisingly, blueberries are new to the list in 2019. They’ve long been on other lists of superfoods due to their high antioxidant and fiber levels and anti-inflammatory abilities. Plus, it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t like eating them.

5. Exotic Fruits

While exotic fruits may not spring to mind when someone asks you to name a superfood, they’re a regular on this list. The trend is due, at least in part, to the popularity of smoothie bowls and acai bowls. Prepare to start seeing more recipes and foods with acai, goji berries, and golden berries this year.

4. Ancient Grains

Surely by now you’ve heard this term to identify farro, teff, quinoa, amaranth, spelt, and more. Another food with no strict definition, the whole grains council generally defines ancient grains as grains that are mostly unchanged over the last several hundred years.  So today’s wheat would not fit the definition, but spelt (part of the wheat family) is.

3. Seeds

Back in the number three position, seeds may not be the most glamourous of foods, but if you haven’t been adding chia, flax, pepitas, hemp, sesame, and all the other seeds to your foods you’re missing out on fun flavors, fiber, loads of different minerals, and healthy fats.

2. Avocado

Also back in the number two spot is everyone’s favorite reptilian-looking food—avocado! Loaded with nearly 20 minerals, vitamins, and phytonutrients such as monounsaturated fat, fiber, magnesium, folate, iron, potassium, and vitamin E avocados are nutritional powerhouses (when you don’t eat them by the case!) and you can put them in just about everything! See our avocado recipes to see what we mean.

1. Fermented Foods

Reclaiming its throne for the second consecutive year is fermented foods. This includes foods like yogurt, kombucha, kimchi, kefir, and sauerkraut. Why number one? Because we want healthy guts! New science is emerging daily on the benefits of a healthy gut and how it impacts so much of our overall health.