Food Trends: Plants & Meat-Free Meats Are In

Meat-free in 2017

Plant-based “meats” had a big year in 2016: from their starring spot on the World Health Summit menu, to being sold right alongside their meat counterparts in meat aisles across the U.S. According to Grist, “Someday we’ll look back at 2016 as the year we realized we might be perfectly happy to give up meat.”

As consumers increasingly choose plant-based options, major stores and chains are taking note, like Taco Bell, which rolled out an easy vegan ordering guide due to popular demand.

In fact, in 2016, industry insiders named plant-based the hottest new trend in fast-casual food, and media headlines are sounding their agreement:

• Condé Nast Traveler names meat alternatives a top food trend this year, listing “mind-bending meat-free foods” to be enjoyed around the world, from New York to Sydney.
• Grist also called 2016 “the breakthrough year for non-animal meat,” spotlighting the Impossible Burger: “This year, for the first time, you could go to a restaurant and eat something that had never been through a slaughterhouse but tasted enough like meat to fool the unsuspecting.”
• USA Today readers gave all-vegan butcher shop The Herbivorous Butcher top honors for best food and drink maker in the U.S.

And the popularity of plants is only expected to continue growing and sprouting up everywhere in the coming years.

By this past November, Mintel had already ranked plant-based among 2017’s top global food trends. Markets and Markets says the veggie meats market will soar to $5.17 billion by 2020.

So, join the club and try meat-free. It’s easier than ever before: here are seven easy (and fun) ways to help animals in 2017, and visit TryVeg.com for recipes, product recommendations and so much more.

Photo: Impossible Foods