STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.\u2014This stretch of cold weather, with a forecast of more frigid days ahead, might leave us cooped up and drive us to comfort food. However, the longer\u2011term picture tells another story. Americans are increasingly focused on gut health and metabolic wellness, a shift local restaurateurs and fitness professionals say mirrors national patterns.<\/p>\n
Christine Noia of Better Restaurants sees the change daily. Diners are choosing clean, simply prepared meals with lean proteins, fresh vegetables, and grilled or baked entr\u00e9es instead of fried options.<\/p>\n
Great tasting, gut-healthy<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are definitely seeing the gut\u2011health trend in restaurants,\u201d Noia said. She added the caveat, \u201cBut no two guts are the same. People are becoming more aware of what works for their own bodies.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smoothies have surged in popularity because they\u2019re made with real fruit and fiber. She added that means enjoying food without the artificial sweeteners that can disrupt digestion and the gut microbiome. <\/p>\n
\u201cKeeping ingredients natural and simple makes a big difference in how people feel,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Better Restaurants has expanded to a pair of New Jersey locations: Marlboro in September and just-opened Little Silver, both already thriving. Noia said the response has far exceeded expectations, with Florida possibly next. The boom, she said, shows that people are paying closer attention to what they\u2019re eating and that these wellness trends stretch well beyond Staten Island.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s night and day compared to Staten Island,\u201d Noia said. \u201cWe\u2019re very busy and appreciated… I\u2019m blessed. I never thought we would be this busy so fast.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Vegan\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ZAWCRQTMPJCGZAGZJVXAAXJS6A.jpg\")
Tastebuds has regular items like chunky guac and quinoa salad. Freshly mashed avocado delivers healthy fats and fiber that slow digestion and help keep energy levels steady\u2014a small ingredient with a big role in shifting toward lighter winter eating.staten island advanceWhen the cold sets in, cravings follow<\/p>\n
Cold weather itself may be fueling increased hunger, according to Mike Giliotti<\/a>, owner of INTOXX Fitness<\/a>, which operates four Staten Island locations. He is an IFBB Pro and master-level certified personal trainer. The body burns more calories trying to generate heat in frigid temperatures, he explained, which can trigger hunger signals. But there\u2019s also a psychological component.<\/p>\n \u201cMost likely it has more to do with brain and pattern association\u2014you connect weather like this with cozy hobbies like eating,\u201d Giliotti said.<\/p>\n Local observations align with national findings in the 2026 Future of Fitness<\/a> report from the American College of Sports Medicine. The organization identified wearable technology as the year\u2019s top trend, with nearly half of U.S. adults now using fitness trackers or smartwatches. Other leading trends include older-adult fitness programs (like \u201cSilver Sneakers\u201d at the YMCA), weight\u2011management exercise, mobile workout apps plus classes focused on balance, flow and core strength.<\/p>\n The ACSM notes that adults 65 and older now visit gyms more than any other age group, and that resistance training remains essential\u2014especially as more Americans use GLP\u20111 medications<\/a> and look for structured ways <\/a>to maintain muscle, mobility, and metabolic stability.<\/p>\n Social media influencers are amplifying the wellness conversation beyond Staten Island. Dr. Mindy Pelz <\/a>emphasizes hormonal health and intermittent fasting while promoting blood\u2011sugar stability through slow carbs, protein, and fiber\u2011rich meals. Dr. Eric Berg <\/a>popularizes keto and insulin\u2011resistance education, stressing slow\u2011digesting carbs, high protein, and healthy fats. Fitness influencer Madelaine Rascan<\/a> encourages her roughly 500,000 followers to avoid \u201cnaked carbs\u201d<\/a> and pair foods strategically for steadier energy.<\/p>\n And then there\u2019s a tidbit from the American Medical Association that seems to have given fermented dishes some extra traction<\/a>\u2014perhaps reflected in the uptick in sales of a house\u2011made kimchi at Tokyo Sushi at 1771 Victory Blvd. in Castleton Corners. Its Napa cabbage is briny, fiery and tangy\u2014unmistakably Korean in flavor and, shall we say, digestively expressive.<\/p>\n Customers have been snapping it up this winter, and staff say sales have climbed enough to notice\u2014especially as more diners look for fermented foods with simple ingredients and bold flavor.The AMA\u2019s stance on fermented foods is neutral and inclusive\u2014in the most politely official way possible\u2014noting that fermentation<\/a> has been \u201cused for centuries across nearly every culture\u201d and centering its guidance on health benefits, clear labeling and patient education.<\/p>\n The common thread connecting local dining choices, fitness trends, and influencer messaging centers on stability: avoiding blood\u2011sugar spikes, energy crashes, and metabolic disruption. For Staten Islanders this winter, food, fitness, metabolism, and mood have merged into a single wellness conversation.<\/p>\n Beyond Tokyo Sushi<\/a> and Better Restaurants<\/a> other health\u2011minded spots on Staten Island include Tastebuds Natural Foods<\/a> at 1807 Hylan Blvd. in Dongan Hills, known for its lunch counter, hot\u2011and\u2011cold buffet, and smoothie bar, and Fuel Grill and Juice Bar <\/a>at 4553 Arthur Kill Rd. Richmond Valley, a fitness\u2011forward stop for macro\u2011balanced meals, smoothies, and bowls.<\/p>\n![\"Avocado](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/NR4CNHVGLZCDXGTS4QKZ7YKBTA.jpeg\")
The house-made kimchi from Tokyo Sushi in Castleton Corners has it all\u2014salted Napa cabbage mixed with a paste of Korean red pepper flakes, garlic, ginger and scallions. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri\/Apple Photos Cleanups)Kimchi Is Flying Off the Shelves<\/p>\n