Finding functional foods on restaurant menus
5/2/2024 by Chloe Loersch
The food industry is filled with health and nutrition claims. Have you ever heard the term “functional food?" When foods provide benefits beyond meeting basic nutritional needs, they may be termed “functional foods.”
The concept of functional foods was popularized in Japan in the 1980s to improve quality of life by increasing life expectancy and reducing disease risk. In the United States, health claims on food packaging are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Examples of topics that can be referred to in health claims include the relationship between sodium and hypertension or the association between whole oats and lower heart disease risk.
The bottom line is that no single food can cure or prevent diseases alone, but there is research that links food to potential health benefits. Most foods are functional foods are filled with vitamins and minerals that perform specific physiological functions. For instance, vitamin C is abundant in citrus fruits and tomatoes and helps produce collagen in connective tissues. It acts as an antioxidant in the body.
In line with consumers’ demand for health-forward choices, trendy functional foods are becoming more prevalent as menu selections.
Hand-crafted juice. Juices packed with fruits, vegetables and plants can be found on many café menus. These juices may feature combinations of ingredients such as carrots, apples, pineapple, berries, ginger, beets, limes, spinach, kale, celery, turmeric and more. Ginger and turmeric are thought to provide health benefits through their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, among other benefits.
Avocado toast. Avocado toast is on the rise on restaurant menus, especially for breakfast. Avocadoes tout an impressive nutritional profile, providing healthy unsaturated fat and fiber – both soluble and insoluble fiber.
Superfood bowls. Acai berries or Greek yogurt can serve as a base to be topped with items such as fresh fruit, dried coconut flakes and chia seeds. Acai berries are known for their antioxidant content. Consumers may choose them in hopes of boosting their immune system or protecting against cancer; however, additional research is needed to support these relationships.
Plant-based burgers. When it comes to meat alternatives, the sky's the limit. Veggie burgers can be made with ingredients such as black beans, soy, peas, mushrooms and much more. Choosing plant-based meat can help reduce saturated fat intake, which is associated with heart disease. Plant-based foods can also provide additional fiber, which is thought to support gut health and more favorable cholesterol levels.
Salmon. Salmon can complete a perfect poke bowl with rice, vinegar, cucumbers, purple cabbage, avocado, salad greens, edamame, ginger and sriracha sauce. It may also be prepared with lemon dill butter, bourbon sauce or as a sandwich. Regardless of how it is prepared, salmon is a source of omega-3 fatty acids, which may help decrease blood pressure, lower blood triglycerides and help with heart health overall.
One might think that functional foods must be sourced from a home garden or specialty health foods store. However, functional foods are everywhere, including on restaurant menus.
Chloe Loersch completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in dietetics at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. She is currently a dietetic intern at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. She is interested in a career in clinical nutrition.