2017 has been an exciting year for vegan food. Here are some of this year’s hottest vegan food trends.
- Protein-centric foods
As part of a wider food trend, much of the focus on healthy eating has been on high-protein foods. Proponents argue that high-protein foods keep you fuller for longer, meaning there is less chance of snacking on unhealthy foods between meals. Some of this year’s hottest vegan ingredients include:
- Amaranth – Similar to quinoa, amaranth is a much smaller seed. However, this tiny seed is packed with nutrients including iron, B vitamins, and magnesium. Just one standard cup of cooked amaranth contains seven grams of protein.
- Tempeh – Another trending ingredient in 2017 is tempeh which is a fermented form of soy. One standard cup of cooked tempeh contains up to twelve grams of protein, as well as being high in probiotics, making it a great alternative to yogurt.
- Edamame – Edamame is full of protein, fiber and other nutrients. One standard cup of cooked edamame contains up to seventeen grams of protein! It can be eaten in its natural state or roasted to make a great alternative to chips!
2. Ultra-realistic vegan meats
Carrying on from the 2016 trend of vegan burgers, 2017 has seen one of the most controversial food trends of the year: ultra-realistic vegan meats. You may have seen the vegan burgers that bleed when cut. It has been hard not to hear about them given the huge media reception they received at their launch by the company Beyond Meat. The burgers are said to look, taste and smell just like a real hamburger. What’s more, the burgers are packed with protein, meaning they also get points for meeting the protein-centric trend described above. However, the burgers are not without their critics who state that the idea of eating an imitation meat that bleeds is unappealing. However, this isn’t the only vegan imitation meat to be causing a stir.
2017 has also seen the launch of vegan bacon, which is now available in several vegan restaurants in places such as New York City. Cut into thin strips to imitate the taste and feel of real bacon, it has been getting some rave reviews from those who have tried it. In addition to this, vegan pulled pork, made using Jackfruit, is also on the menu.
While perhaps not for everyone, vegan friendly meats are being talked about by everyone from restaurant critics to Wall Street investors. Have you tried them yet?
3. Plant-based milks
With the huge rise of lactose intolerance, and the general trend of people moving away from dairy, a number of new milk alternatives have hit the shelves in the last 12 months. So much so in fact, that you can probably find them in almost every major supermarket chain. From rice milk to almond milk, 2017 is continuing this trend with gusto. 2017 seems to have been the year of the coconut, with the rise in popularity of coconut oil for everything from cooking to using on your hair. Coconut milk is now becoming a popular alternative, especially among the coffee crowd. Have you tried a coconut milk latte yet?
If reading this article has put you in the mood for some tasty, and healthy, vegan food, you can check out Fresh restaurants. And what’s even better, they now deliver!
