2020 changed everything in our lives and our food habits were no exception. Owing to various unavailability of food stocks especially meat, about 6% of Americans switched to plant-based diet juts in the past year. The approach towards food is different now post-pandemic. So, the market is also silently promoting some old and some new healthy food trends. The following suggests some of these trends that are set to take over most of 2021.
Chickpeas
From snacks to hummus, chickpeas have always ruled the market one way or the other. From chips to cereals, chickpea flour is becoming a quite alternative to all-purpose flour. If someone wants to go plant-based, many types of food can be substituted for chickpeas. Pulses are a great source of many important nutrients. If you can enjoy it without compromising with the taste, go for it.
Vegetables
Nowadays, various food bases are being made of vegetables. Many people dislike vegetables as a side with their main course. It has got a lot to do with the taste. However, convenient packaging enables more and more people to eat veggies right out of the bag. Especially in case of veggies like carrots or cucumbers, they can be eaten as it is. You can also amp up the taste with a spicy ranch or any dipping sauce.
Gluten-free Diet
A gluten-free diet was not popularized only in 2020. It has been a practicing eating style for many years now. Nowadays, the options are endless. Any food can be turned into a gluten-free one. The number of people practicing a gluten-free diet has gone up considerably over the past few years. It is because the market is flooded with companies selling products selling tasty food without the gluten count. However, despite the marketing tactics, one should always choose to eat minimally processed food over gluten-free.
Alcohol-free Drinks
Mocktails are going to come back and how! If you see the trends, various companies are coming out with non-alcoholic drinks in different flavors. It may be because the consumers are more for alcohol-free drinks. It may also be that general mass is over with the whole ‘let’s get drunk’ attitude’. It has also got a lot to do with the high calorific count in the alcohol. These day’s you can easily get a zero sugar or low-calorie drink that is actually tasty.
Ready-to-eat Boxes
A savior If not anything else, ready-to-eat boxes are your best friend during the pandemic days. Think about it; you are working out of your home with millions of chores lined up in your head. Cooking is the largest of them all. What if you can just get your meal from the fridge, pop that in the oven, and there you have it, a ready lunch and no fuss. The options are endless and people are coming to understand the convenience of it. There is also no dearth of healthy options.
Keto-friendly Food
Although the effectiveness or sustainability of a keto diet is questionable, the diet is here to stay with the rising number of people adopting the eating habit. Healthy or not, keto-based foods are tasty. However, it is always advisable to consult a doctor before you start working on your diet plan.
Naturally Sweetened Snacks
Sweet craving cannot be stopped no matter how hard one tries. Also, a person must reward themselves with a sweet treat now and then. Natural sweeteners include dates, honey, sucrose, and fructose in fruits, etc. So, snacks and food made with unprocessed natural sugar are going to be yet another trend of 2021.
Who says you have to restrict yourself only to the trends? Try the ones mentioned in our list and also incorporate your own palate and ideas to make 2021 a bit more fun.
