Diet

Are you intrigued by the rise of plant-based diets across the world? The growing awareness of the environmental impact of animal agriculture practices, health concerns, and sustainability has led to a seismic shift in food consumption. Plant-based and vegan food trends have gained popularity because they combine dietary habits with Earth’s wellness.

Chefs and food innovators around the world are accommodating this shift rapidly. That is why various creative recipes have come up for a delicious take on plant-based foods. If you’re enthusiastic about trying plant-based recipes and want to see what the trend is about, check out all the details in this article.

Trends Driving The Rise Of Plant-Based Diets

A plant-based diet has become the niche dietary choice for individuals around the world because of the following trends:

  • Health Awareness

People around the world are running behind the trend of plant-based diets because of its link with individual health. Numerous studies have shown that these diets can lower the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.

According to the American Health Association, following a plant-based diet can boost your cardiovascular health, and lower blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.

  • Environmental Concerns

Animal agriculture is known to impact the environment negatively. Livestock farming is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water consumption. By reducing meat consumption, you can significantly decrease your environmental footprint. The United Nations Environment Programme highlights that a shift towards plant-based diets is crucial for sustainable food systems.

  • Ethical Considerations

Ethical concerns regarding animal conditions and welfare have also triggered the shift towards plant-based diets. Many people are choosing to reduce or eliminate animal products from their diets. This way they want to avoid contributing to the suffering and exploitation of animals in factory farms. 

For instance, organizations like Compassion in World Farming advocate for plant-based diets to promote animal welfare.

  • Innovative Plant-Based Products

Plant-based products are now available easily in the market with various alternatives to meat, eggs, and dairy items. There are various companies in the market, such as Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, who have come up with creative plant-based burgers that mimic the texture and taste of meat burgers as closely as possible. 

These products make it easier to transition to a plant-based diet without feeling deprived of your favourite foods. 

  • Celebrity Endorsements And Social Media

Plant-based diets have also become popular because of social media influencers and celebrity endorsements. Many high-profile individuals with a greater impact like Lewis Hamilton, Brad Pitt, and Beyonce have actively advocated for these diets. Their contribution has inspired many of their followers to shift their eating habits. 

Additionally, you’ll find social media filled with creative plant-based recipes, tips, and success stories. All these tales influence people to explore this path and adopt this lifestyle with ease.

Getting Started With Plant-Based Recipes

Chefs and food innovators are exploring the vast potential of plant-based diets with the freshest ingredients available in the market. Now, these diets are no longer restricted to boring salads or tofu dishes. Instead, gastronomical experiences lay ahead by playing with the varied textures and flavours of plant foods.

If you want to get started, the following culinary creations can be your beginning point. You can also check out Indian cuisine as it largely contains dishes with enhanced plant proportions:

  • Chickpea And Spinach Curry

For an irresistible plant-based deliciousness with enough protein, iron, and other nutrients, try the chickpea and spinach curry. Its ingredients list contains the following:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon grated ginger
  • 1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can of coconut milk
  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • 1 tablespoon curry powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish

Preparing the dish requires following the instructions mentioned below:

  1. Start by heating olive oil in a large pan. Keep the heat to a medium.
  2. Get your chopped onion, grated ginger, and garlic and add it to the olive oil pan. Saute it till the onion turns translucent.
  3. Add the curry powder and cook everything for a minute or so.
  4. Now, add your chickpeas and coconut milk to the pan and simmer the mixture.
  5. The next step is to add your spinach and cook it until it wilts.
  6. The last step is to season it with salt and pepper according to your taste and garnish it with fresh cilantro. You can serve this dish with rice, chapati, or naan. 
  • Lentil And Vegetable Stir-Fry

This dish is a must-try when you switch to a plant-based diet. You will love the deliciousness of the flavours. Its rich ingredient list includes:

  • 1 cup green or yellow lentils, rinsed
  • 3 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 zucchini, sliced
  • 2 carrots, julienned
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
  • Sesame seeds for garnish

You can get this dish ready by following these simple and easy-to-follow instructions:

  1. First, take a medium pot, add water, and rinsed lentils and let them come to a boil. Once it is boiled, reduce the heat, cover the lentils, and let them simmer until they turn tender. It can take around 20- 25 minutes, after which you can drain and set everything aside.
  2. Get a large pan or wok and heat olive oil over medium-high heat in it. 
  3. Add and saute onion and garlic until they turn fragrant.
  4. Now, add the veggies- zucchini, bell peppers, and carrots and stir-fry them for 5-7 minutes. Do this until the vegetables are tender-crisp. 
  5. You can now add cooked lentils, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil to the pan. Stir to combine and cook everything for another 2-3 minutes.
  6. Lastly, garnish your mouthwatering dish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds. The dish is ready to be served with rice or noodles.

Conclusion

The rising trend of plant-based diets is linked to the many benefits it offers. Its popularity is credited to factors like animal welfare concerns, social media influence, and much more. The growing awareness of this diet and the trends running it are directed towards a positive direction. Through the innovative culinary creations by food innovators and chefs, these diets have become delicious, filling, balanced, and nutritious. You can try browsing the internet to find and make a healthy lifestyle change by adapting to this diet in the proportion you like.