It may come as no surprise to you that the world is becoming more comfortable with the term “plant-based”. Many restaurants offering vegan alternatives. There’s a soaring amount of sales with vegan brands all over the globe. Even power players like Disney making a safe space for vegans. According to QSR Magazine, global demand for such products is estimated to surpass $ 25.5 billion by the end of 2028. Interestingly enough, eating meat is just as damaging to the Earth as deforestation is.
The Plant-Based Market Is In Demand
This includes dairy alternatives, such as soy milk, almond milk, and rice milk. It also includes meat alternative brands such as Beyond Meat, which debuted an even meatier burger recently. In fact, Earth.com found that having vegetarian options on a menu helps reduce the number of meat-based sales by between 40 and 80 percent. If you didn’t know, meat consumption or animal agriculture is responsible for 13% to 18% of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions globally. Diets heavy in meat are the leading causes of climate change and species loss.
Celebrities Advocating For Meatless, Dairy-Less Options
In the past ten years, the amount of people that google veganism has more than quadrupled, according to TheConversation.com. The website also points out the fact that a number of individuals in the public eye, like Moby, Angela Davis, Bill Clinton, and Ellen Degeneres, have at least once advocated for veganism. Ellen in fact, is no longer a vegan, but has spoken about only eating meat once per week in order to stay committed to saving the planet.
What Can I Eat?
First and foremost, vegetables and fruits are great ways to substitute any dairy or meat in a dish you may love. They’re flexible enough to cook in an interesting manner. Check out our resident guru Jacqueline Alwill’s recipes here if you need any ideas.
Brands such as Sophie’s Kitchen or Light Life have incredible meat alternative products that you’d never even believe weren’t a fish fillet or a crispy piece of bacon. You can swap these out or have an substitute like tofu, seitan, or tempeh instead.
With dairy, go ahead and try brands like Daiya, Follow Your Heart, or shop goodies at Thrive Market. With milk, we love love love Califia Farms or the global phenomenon everyone loves, oat milk.
While you’re here, check out a vegan-friendly recipe from Gywneth Paltrow, a yummy black rice pudding with coconut milk and mango.