In 2020, COVID-19 changed the world. Everyone suddenly took up bread-making and homemade pizzas. Everything was made of cake, and banana bread rose to popularity again. People worldwide tried vegetarianism, and some embraced the vegan lifestyle.
Despite much of it being spent in lockdown, we still managed to explore our diets and order tons of food online. This year and beyond is set for healthy food trends; here’s what you need to know.
1. Chickpeas
This humble legume is versatile. It can be the foundation of a spicy curry, roasted with lime and chili to create a crispy snack, and even used to make chips. The beauty of these treats is that they have a great flavor, and they’re packed with protein!
It’s a bean that counts as a vegetable, and replacing meat with chickpeas in a meal is a great way to get enough protein and vegetables all in one. They aren’t as protein-packed as meat, but they’re both high in potassium, protein, and iron. Chickpeas are also chock full of vitamins B1 and B9, calcium, and fiber.
2. The convenience of vegetables
With the rise of prepared vegetables in supermarkets, it has never been easier to include a portion of veggies in your meals. You can grab a bag of carrots to snack on, buy a mixed bag of veggies ready to add to your stir-fry, or even use squash as a substitute for spaghetti, ready to use right out of a pack.
Leafy greens are perfect for us as a superfood and easy to incorporate into nearly any meal. It’s going to be so easy to live as a veggie lover you won’t remember when life was any different!
Perhaps one of the reasons why vegetables have taken us by storm is the rise in popularity of grazing tables. It isn’t just that they are more convenient. It’s that they are more accessible and they’re fabulous. Food samplers, in general, are set to be big throughout 2022.
They grew in popularity due in part to COVID-19. With people locked down worldwide, businesses adapted, and friends started gifting each other samplers to boost morale. The idea wasn’t new, but it is certainly ready to have its moment, whether it’s a subscription box or a one-off treat delivery.
3. Alcohol-free beverages
Mock-tails have been popular for quite some time, but the alcohol-free trend is only set to grow in 2022. It isn’t just alcohol-free beer, either. Now we are seeing alcohol-free wines and spirits on the shelves.
While alcohol is OK in moderation, limiting your intake is essential because it can negatively affect your health and skin. That doesn’t mean you have to miss out! Imagine getting home from a long day at work and being able to pour an alcohol-free red wine.
You can enjoy the same relaxing drink without risking a terrible hangover. There’s another benefit to alcohol-free beverages – it’s lower in calories. An alcohol-free G&T? Lucky. So, you’re winning on all fronts.
4. Plant-based
Major fast-food outlets have embraced plant-based burgers to massive fanfare. You will surely find something you enjoy with so many brands to choose from on supermarket shelves and convenience stores. It isn’t reserved for vegetarians anymore.
You will find everything from sausages to mince, burgers, and even black pudding. As the process improves, the food too, which means food companies are willing to explore more and more ways to produce meat substitutes.
It has never been easier to follow a plant-based diet. There is also an added benefit to the environment. 36% of the world’s crops are used to feed livestock, and its livestock creates a large portion of greenhouse gasses. Therefore, you are serving the environment well by embracing more sustainable plant-based options.
5. Natural sweeteners
Added sugar is a problem. Luckily, we are getting wise to that fact. As a result, many food products are being sweetened with natural options like figs, dates, and cinnamon. A diet high in sugar can contribute to heart disease, mood problems, and type 2 diabetes.
With natural sweeteners on the rise, you can enjoy sweet treats without worrying about overdoing them. Just read the label when something brags about being low in sugar. There may be hidden additives that you’re trying to avoid.
Also Read: 35 Foods That Burn Belly Fat Fast
