Plant-based foods and meats: sustainable food trends for 2022

The need to eat immune-boosting foods has risen exponentially over the last few years. Moreover,sustaining the environment for future generations is making us opt for healthier food options as we plant and turn more to nature to live better and longer.

 The world is constantly changing to suit its prevailing conditions across all industries and walks of life. Food is no exception. Climate change, availability, and efficient use of available resources all influence our food choices. We are doing as much as we can to reduce our carbon footprint while at the same time living full lives. The Covid19 pandemic is a stark reminder of what the world can become if we don’t look after ourselves and our environment. 

A lot of stores are all about sustainability, from their packages, the sources of their products, and even in the preparation of some of their foods. Plant-based diets have become wildly popular with people wanting to treat their bodies better to ward off the effects of the virus and to manage other conditions they may have or just to be healthier. It is reported as one of the best diets or eating plans because we are able to get all the important nutrients we need from plants – it is all about balance. Many eateries including Veggiegrill, and stores like Publix in their Publix weekly ad preview now offer a lot of plant-based products like Gardein meat-free entrees or the bagged green beans to make a beautiful veggie casserole for a delicious meal.  

There are a number of trends currently leading in the market for plant-based diets based purely on their sustainability, and we are going to explore a few of them below.

Upcycling food

Upcycling food, simply put, is using all the portions of the plant, leaving nothing to waste. For example, you may use the pulp or rinds from an orange after you make your smoothie to make a snack, rather than throw them away. In this way, you have used the plants to their maximum potential and reduced wastage at the same time. Upcycling food is not new, it has just gained popularity with environmental sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint, thus taking it to the mainstream. 

Food transparency and sustainability

This means that consumers are interested in where their food is coming from; if it is sustainably sourced and cruelty-free. It also concerns itself with ensuring that while we are enjoying the produce, the places in which it is planted are being looked after correctly with no harmful chemicals and can be used continuously without damaging it or the environment. The two-pronged approach ensures that consumers get the best quality food while also ensuring the environment receives the care it needs.

 Potato Milk  

Yes, we know it sounds strange, but hear us out. Potatoes are easy to grow and have less of a carbon footprint than cow’s milk. For vegans, this is spectacular news as it provides another option outside of the usual nut milk and others. We love potatoes for their versatility and that now we have figured out a way to get milk from them just makes us fall in love with them even more!

Immunity boosting foods

Again, because of the Coronavirus pandemic, the rise and popularity of immune-boosting foods has been unprecedented. Prevention is obviously better than cure, therefore if you can eat food that can strengthen your immune system before an illness gets you, then you must do just that. Since plant-based diets have very high nutritional value, they are a viable option. Another alternative would be to buy foods that are fortified with immune-boosting foods like probiotics and prebiotics, for example, to manage your gut health.