With juice bars and yoga studios available at every corner, and fast food restaurants offering healthier choices, we have made significant strides in the last few years. It’s been crucial to maintain these new priorities. Often, it’s difficult to do so, and we often abandon them quickly. This is likely why many New Year’s Resolutions fail. Many health improvements have made it possible and easy to maintain a balanced, healthy diet.

A growing trend is to remove unhealthy fats, salt and sugar from food and beverages. It is possible to provide healthy food without having to sacrifice indulgence by removing these additives. Naturally derived ingredients such as carrageenan and other seaweed-derived ingredients make it possible to still make a delicious, fat-free dessert. carrageenanThis allows your child to enjoy a brown bag lunch that is healthier than usual without him or her realizing.

The addition of vitamins and nutrients to existing products makes convenience even more appealing. For example, you can make ready-made infant formula that is rich in Omega-3 DHA for healthy development. Naturally derived ingredients are safe and healthy for shelf stability and safety.

As more information is available about the benefits of different nutrients, vitamin supplements are also gaining popularity. Omega-3 supplements, in particular, are becoming a popular staple for families who want to enjoy the health benefits of seafood, but don’t have access to it on a regular basis due either cost or availability. Now, we are seeing more variety in Omega-3 supplements. This includes targeted concentrations for certain health concerns like healthy aging, mood, cognition and inflammation. Capsules are becoming smaller and more convenient due to their increased concentrations, which make them easier to swallow. Carrageenan, which is a vegetarian-based ingredient, is being used to make capsules that are compatible with kosher, vegan, and halal requirements.

It’s not always easy or convenient to maintain a healthy lifestyle. But we have taken steps to make healthy nutrition easily and widely accessible. We will continue to research and science, and we will continue to feed the growing world.

To learn more about the ingredients that make staying healthy less work, please visit FoodScienceMatters.com.