Plant-based foods products are on the rise!!!
It appears people are paying more attention to what they consume, at least according to a recent report published by The Good Food Institute (GFI), the Plant-Based Foods Association (PBFA), and SPINS.
The data showcased that plant-based food sales have skyrocketed compared to total foods. The report shows sales of plant-based items growing three times as quickly as their animal-derived counterparts.
Products on the Rise
In light of the financial struggles a handful of individuals have encountered because of the global pandemic, many prioritize putting their health first by buying plant-based milk, meat, and eggs.
The highest recorded product in the plant-based sector was the egg category in the study. The data has shown that plant-based eggs sales increased by 42%, coming in second place with dairy-free creamer, which rose by 33%, and ready-to-drink beverages were in third place with 22%.
Vegan Milk Placement Compared to Dairy
In 2018, plant-based milk stood at 12% of sales, next to dairy products, but vegan milk saw a 4% increase in sales this year. The item currently has a 16% share and has contributed $105 million in growth compared to its counterparts in the dairy industry.
At the same time, dairy milk suffered a loss of $264 million.
The top category in plant-based milk was almond milk, which accounted for 59% of total plant-based milk sales. The second contender was oat milk which garnered 17% of sales.
Plant-Based Meats and The Future
In the study, the second-largest vegan product was plant-based meats. The item has generated $1.4 billion in sales. The need for plant-based meats rose to 74% within the last three years. The sale of plant-based meats outperformed its animal-based meat competitor three times over.
However, Dr. Shireen Kassam, a Consultant Haematologist and Honorary Senior Lecturer at King’s College Hospital, note that ultra-processed foods in a plant-based food are just as unhealthy as animal-derived foods. Dr. Kassam explains,
“Several studies have shown that ultra-processed foods in the diet, be it plant-based or not, are as an unhealthy plant-based diet is just as bad for health as the typical Western-diet high in animal-derived foods and saturated fat. Diets high in ultra-processed foods are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.”
In the plant-based meat category, meat-free burgers are the top contender, while vegan meatballs, chicken nuggets, tenders, and cutlets remain popular items.
In conclusion, the study shows that 62% of individuals now purchase plant-based products for their household compared to 61% in 2020. However, not every vegan diet is created equal. The synergistic benefits you get from eating a vegan, whole food diet –meaning omnivores trying to transition to a vegan lifestyle– would be best served by minimizing the number of processed meat substitutes and maximizing their food consumption from the earth.
The demand for plant-based items is at an all-time high, and of the likeliest factors driving this increase is the perception that they’re better for your health.
Check out the video below that discuss the differences between real and plant-based meat.
