Plant-Based Convenience Foods: The Future of Healthy Eating?
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Plant-Based Convenience Foods: The Future of Healthy Eating?
In recent years, there has been a growing trend of people moving towards plant-based diets. This is largely due to the health benefits that come with eating more plants – they are packed with nutrients and antioxidants, and have been shown to lower the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
However, one of the main barriers to following a plant-based diet is that it can be time-consuming and difficult to find convenient, healthy, and delicious plant-based food options.
This is where plant-based convenience foods come in. These are foods that are made from plants but are quick and easy to prepare – perfect for busy people who want to eat healthily.
Changing consumer habits
As more and more people are becoming aware of the health benefits of plant-based diets, there is a growing demand for convenient, healthy plant-based food options. As it stands, the global plant-based food market is projected to be worth US$ 75 Bn by 2030 and in the UK alone, the plant-based food market is expected to reach £1.1 billion by 2024.
This shift in consumer habits is being driven by a number of factors, including:
The health benefits of plant-based diets – as people become more health conscious, they are increasingly looking for ways to improve their diets and lower their risk of chronic diseases.
The environmental impact of meat production – as people become more aware of the negative environmental impact of meat production, they are choosing to eat less meat or switch to plant-based alternatives.
Animal welfare concerns – as people learn more about the inhumane conditions in which many animals are raised for food, they are choosing to eat less meat or switch to plant-based alternatives.
The increasing availability of plant-based foods – as the plant-based food industry continues to grow, there are more and more delicious and convenient plant-based food options available.
Industry response
There are now plant-based versions of almost any type of food which present an opportunity for the food industry to innovate and create more plant-based convenience foods. In fact, many companies are already doing this. For example,
in the UK, supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Waitrose have all introduced their own ranges of plant-based meat products.
As the demand for plant-based foods continues to grow, we can expect to see even more plant-based convenience foods on the market in the future. This is good news for those who want to eat healthily and have a positive impact on the environment.
What are plant-based convenience foods?
Plant-based convenience foods are any food that is made from plants but is quick and easy to prepare. This could include plant-based versions of traditional convenience foods such as frozen pizzas, ready meals, and snacks. Or it could be plant-based foods that are specifically designed to be quick and easy to prepare, such as plant-based burger patties or sausage rolls.
There are a growing number of plant-based convenience foods available on the market, and more are being created all the time. This is thanks to the growing demand from consumers and the increasing availability of plant-based ingredients.
Advantages of plant-based convenience foods
There are many advantages of plant-based convenience foods, both for consumers and for the food industry.
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Convenient – one of the main advantages of plant-based convenience foods is that they are quick and easy to prepare. This is perfect for busy people who want to eat healthily but don’t have time to cook from scratch.
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Healthy – another advantage of plant-based convenience foods is that they are often healthier than their meat-based counterparts. This is because they are lower in saturated fat and cholesterol, and they often contain more fibre and vitamins.
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Environmentally friendly – another advantage of plant-based convenience foods is that they have a lower environmental impact than meat-based foods. This is because plants generally require less water and land to grow, and they produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
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Animal welfare – another advantage of plant-based convenience foods is that they are cruelty-free. This is because no animals are harmed in the production of these foods.
The future of convenience foods?
Plant-based convenience foods are becoming more and more popular as people become health-conscious and environmentally aware. With the increasing availability of these foods, it is likely that they will play a big role in the future of healthy eating.
If your team needs any help in developing plant-based ingredients or vegan convenience foods, we’d be happy to help. At Uren, we have decades of experience in responding to changing consumer habits and we’re always looking for new ways to innovate. Contact us today to find out more.