It is safe to say that the number of people around the world deciding to observe plant-based diets – that is, to follow a diet with more plant-based than animal-based products – is steadily increasing as the years pass.
- In 2014, only 1% of the US population stated that they were vegan. As of 2022, the figure has grown to 6%, as reported by GlobalData.
- In 2014, the National Centre for Social Science Research and the Food Standards Agency ran a survey which revealed that there were 150,000 vegans in the UK. However, the number grew to about 600,000 in 2018 and 1 million in 2022.
The United Nations estimated that the world population is at 8 billion as of December 2022. Based on recent figures related to veganism such as those mentioned above, and adjusting to accommodate comparative statistics such as speed of growth and other factors, it can be estimated that there will be about 88 million vegans worldwide in 2023, or 1.1% of the global population.
Why are people opting to go meatless?
There are certainly a greater number of people observing plant-based or vegetarian diets rather than strictly vegan diets. For example, in 2022, 550 million people in India were found to be vegetarians, while people following a strictly vegan diet in the country were estimated to be 5.5 million.
The key takeaway here is that while many people may not be able to completely eliminate meat sources from their diets 100% of the time, they are increasingly leaning toward eating food primarily taken from plant sources rather than animal sources and by-products. That translates to eating more fruits and vegetables as well as nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains.
Why would a person opt for a plant-based diet? There are generally three main reasons:
● A plant-based diet helps reduce occurrences of animal cruelty.
Animal exploitation takes place when animals are used for commercial food production. For many people, choosing to eat a vegetarian or vegan diet and avoiding the use and consumption of animal products and by-products is the simplest way to demonstrate compassion for animals and save them from cruelty, exploitation and abuse.
● A plant-based diet helps improve a person’s health.
Organisations such as the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the British Dietetic Association have recognised that vegan diets, when planned well, can contain all the important nutrients that the body needs at every age and every stage of life. Some studies show that removing meat and other animal products from your diet can have positive health effects such as lowered cholesterol and blood pressure levels, as well as lower rates of heart disease, type-2 diabetes and even some forms of cancer.
● A plant-based diet helps nourish the environment.
Producing meat for human consumption can take a heavy toll on the world’s natural resources.
For instance, a massive amount of grain feed must be produced to feed livestock that will be slaughtered for meat. This translates to using millions of acres of land and millions of gallons of water to grow crops such as soybeans for animal feed – resources that could be used to directly feed impoverished populations instead of used for livestock.
Meat production processes also significantly contribute to other environmental challenges like deforestation, the destruction of animal habitats, and the extinction of animal species.
Compared to producing meat, producing plant-based food creates less of a negative impact on the environment since lower quantities of resources such as water are required, and less damage to land and habitats is caused.
How can food ingredient suppliers cater to those keen on going plant-based?
Food and beverage ingredient suppliers keep a close eye on the growing market trends and preferences pointing to vegan and “flexitarian” diets. Their goal is to offer consumers the healthier and more sustainable food and beverage products that they need and crave.
Primarily, ingredient manufacturers are focusing on creating alternatives to traditional animal-based ingredients like meat, dairy and eggs.
What plant-based solutions are available today?
At present, a food ingredients company can offer plant-based solutions for the food and beverage industry in three distinct areas:
1. Plant-Based Meat
Health-conscious consumers today wish to reduce their consumption of meat and other animal products, but many will admit that they do find themselves still craving the rich taste and textures of real meat.
As such, food flavour suppliers develop a range of healthy ingredients that are delicious and succulent without using actual meat products. You’ll find that there are many plant-based burger patties, chicken nuggets, bacon and even shawarma meat strips available today.
Examples of plant-based meat alternatives:
- Textured proteins
- Protein concentrates
- Flour
- Starches
- Fibres
- Binder solutions
- Yeast extracts
- Vitamin and mineral pre-mixes
- Specialty fats and oils
- Flavours and seasonings
2. Plant-Based Dairy
There is a consistently growing demand for plant-based dairy-free food and beverage products due to rising rates of lactose intolerance, or the inability to digest the sugar called lactose that is found in milk.
To avoid conditions such as bloating, gas and diarrhoea caused by dairy products, consumers are turning to non-dairy food items and beverages.
On top of that, vegans, vegetarians and people looking to introduce more plant-based options to their diet also want to enjoy similar flavours and textures of beloved food and drink products that typically contain dairy.
The answer is for flavour and ingredient suppliers to create plant-based ingredients for alternative ice creams, coffee creamers, cheeses, and milks that are added to food.
Examples of plant-based dairy alternatives:
- Almond protein
- Soy milk powder
- Coconut cream
- Oat protein
- Pea protein
- Citrus fibres
- Instant coffee
- Flavours
- Stabiliser systems
3. Plant-Based Bakery, Confectionery and Culinary Products
Baking breads and pastries, making candies and confections, and cooking all kinds of dishes often makes use of ingredients such as eggs, butter, oils and fats that are derived from animals. Of course, flexitarians, vegans and other health-conscious individuals would still love to enjoy popular baked goods, desserts and dishes without making use of animal sources.
Ingredient manufacturers can produce plant-based cake mixes, chocolates, spreads, and sauces that can be used as alternatives when whipping up bakery items, candies and other goodies.
Egg Alternatives
- Citrus fibres
- Stabiliser systems
Dairy Alternatives
- Almond base
- Almond protein
- Coconut cream
- Oat protein
- Oat extract powder
- Soy milk powder
Here’s to healthier, cruelty-free and more sustainable plant-based eating
For people eager to lead a lifestyle that relies less on animal products, changing their diet is one of the first things they can do. Opting for plant-based foods and beverages is the way to go. Food ingredient manufacturers and suppliers can support and contribute greatly to this change by offering food solutions that eliminate the use of meat and dairy ingredients and provide more suitable alternatives.
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