Veganism for Beginners

From massagemag.com

If you are thinking about going vegan, you might be wondering how to get started. This article will provide the basics

The vegan diet, which is a diet free of animal products, has become more popular in recent years, offers potential benefits both for health and the environment, as well as animal welfare.

What is the Vegan Diet?

The vegan diet does not include any animal products. That means no meat, dairy or eggs. Many vegans do not consume honey either due to the practices used that are thought to harm bee health. It can sometimes be tricky to know whether certain foods are vegan. Bagels are one example, and this post helps you better understand whether bagels are vegan. 

Consuming a plant-based diet has potential benefits for health, as plant-based foods are rich in vitamins and minerals, heart-healthy fat, and fibre. A body of research supports a diet that includes sufficient plant-source foods for health.

A vegan diet may also benefit the environment, as animal-source foods generally require more resources to produce. Much of agricultural land is used for livestock rearing, and consuming less meat may have a positive environmental impact.

The vegan diet also takes into account animal welfare. Mistreatment of animals on factory farms is one reason vegans cite for deciding not to consume animal products, among others.

Make Sure Your Vegan Diet is Nutritionally Complete

There are several nutrients of particular concern when going vegan, and it’s important to know how to get enough. A vegan diet can potentially be nutrient-poor if you do not consume foods in all of the food groups and rely on a lot of processed snack-type foods.

Some nutrients are not as readily absorbed when coming from plant-based vs. animal-based foods, and it’s important to be aware of the recommendations for intake.

Of note, it is generally possible to get enough calories as a vegan if you include a mix of high- and low-calorie foods. Plenty of vegan foods contain a good deal of calories, particularly those that are high in fat. Examples are nuts, dried fruit and sesame seeds. This post provides a list of high-calorie vegan foods.

Iron

While many vegan foods contain iron, the iron in plant-source foods is not as easily absorbed as that in animal-sourced foods. Thus, the recommendations for iron intake for vegans are almost twice as high as those for people who eat meat. It’s important to include foods such as beans, tofu, grains and vegetables like spinach to be sure you are getting the right amount.

Calcium

As dairy is one of the main sources of calcium in the American diet, vegans need to find alternatives. Some ideas are fortified plant-based milk such as soy or almond milk, as well as leafy greens like collard greens. There are lots of other types of plant-based milk as well, such as oat and macadamia. It’s important to read labels carefully, as not all are fortified with calcium. The calorie content also varies quite a bit. Sesame seeds and dried fruit are also sources of calcium.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is found in animal products. Vegans can get B12 by consuming nutritional yeast, fortified foods like breakfast cereals and plant-based milk. You can also consider taking a supplement.

Protein 

There are only a few vegan sources of protein that are considered “complete proteins,” which means that they contain all of the essential amino acids. Soy is one example, and vegans have lots of options when it comes to soy products, including tofu, tempeh and edamame. Vegans need to be sure to get protein from different sources to be sure they are consuming all of the essential amino acids. Beans and rice is an example of a dish that contains all.

Omega-3 fatty acids

Fish and fish oil are commonly consumed as a source of omega-3 fat and are not included in the vegan diet. Vegans can make sure they get enough by consuming walnuts, flaxseed oil, tofu and chia seeds.

Get Started with a Vegan Diet

As it’s important to be sure your diet will be acceptable for you in terms of taste and culture, you can start by taking a look at what you usually eat and consider where you might be able to make substitutions to start consuming more plant-based foods.

For example, if you eat tacos, you can consider substituting meat with a plant-based alternative. I have had some really tasty tacos that were entirely plant-based and involved seitan rather than chicken or beef. To further make your tacos plant-based, you could explore different options for vegan cheese and see how you like the taste.

You’ll want to make a plan for your meals based on your preferences and make a shopping list. This will help you to be intentional about your choices in the supermarket.

Your Vegan Shopping List

This list will give you some ideas of foods to purchase in each of the food groups. As vegans do not consume dairy, some vegan alternatives will be listed in this group.

Fruit

• Raspberries

• Cantaloupe

• Pears

Vegetables

• Spinach

• Green peas

• Broccoli

• Bell pepper

Grains

• Quinoa

• Brown rice

• Whole-grain bread

Protein

• Beans

• Tofu

• Seitan

• Tempeh

Dairy

• Soy milk

• Almond milk

• Soy yogurt

Final Thoughts

If you are going vegan, it’s important to plan your diet carefully to be sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need. A vegan diet can be nutritionally complete, but it can also be lacking in nutrients if you choose a diet mainly made up of nutrient-poor processed foods such as candy or chips. When shopping, it’s good to make a list and make sure you purchase foods from all the food groups.

About the Author

Jinan Banna, PhD, RD, is a registered dietitian and professor of nutrition. She helps working women to lose weight so that they can feel confident and energetic and enjoy food without dieting. She offers free information on weight loss and plant-based eating on her blog, as well as individual and group nutrition coaching.

https://www.massagemag.com/veganism-for-beginners-132530/

 

The Essential Vegan Guide to Pantry Staples

From vegnews.com

Consider stocking up on these shelf-stable meals, staple ingredients, and easy snacks to kick off the new year

With the start of a new year, millions of people around the world are getting started on their goals and resolutions for 2022. And, for those participating in Veganuary, it’s important to be prepared when inevitable cravings for old favourites hit. Starting with your pantry, keep it stocked with all the vegan necessities to ensure you can curb your hunger with wholesome ingredients or indulge a bit when stress-eating strikes. Make your weekly grocery trip count with these basic staple items and some of our favourite brands to keep on hand for any emergency. 

Endangered Species Chocolate

Baking needs

If you stress baked your way into 2022, we’ve got all the advice to perfect your banana bread, pumpkin pie, or classic chocolate chip cookies. Here’s the ultimate guide for all your vegan baking needs, the 25 desserts we’re whipping up while at home, and all the cookies VegNews editors are obsessed with right now. Be sure to keep these simple ingredients at your house at all times to ensure you can be ready for any baking urges that pop up.

• Baking powder and baking soda
• Bananas (for banana bread, what else?)
• Cocoa powder
• Dairy-free chocolate chips
• Egg replacer (options include apple cider vinegar, Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Egg Replacer, flax seeds, chia seeds, etc.)
• Flour
• Maple syrup
• Salt
• Sugar
• Vanilla extract

Bread

Whether you’re making avocado toast or a simple PB&J sandwich, the foundation starts with a really good base. This Dave’s Killer Bread packs in a punch with five grams of protein and fibre, plus omega-3s. Interested in making your own? Check out our Vegan Bread 101 guide filled with delicious projects to perfect your vegan loaves. 

Canned Goods

While usually a safe bet, be sure to double-check the label to ensure that these canned goods are vegan. 

• Beans or refried beans 
• Coconut milk
• Vegetables such as corn, olives, pickles, and pickled jalapeños
• Tomato paste, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce

Nature’s Path

Chips

The versatile snack staple can be used with hummus, vegan queso, salsas, guacamole, and any other preferred dip. A simple corn chip such as these vegan Que Pasa corn tortilla chips work with most condiments (hello, vegan queso!) for a pre-dinner snack or mid-day fuel. 

Condiments

To add more flavour and spice to basic foods, condiments should be your new best friend. Luckily, there are many flavour profiles and spice levels to choose from. For sandwiches, Follow Your Heart’s Vegenaise or Edward & Son’s vegan Worcestershire is a must. For veggie bowls, hot sauce (try Dave’s Gourmet Creamy Ginger Citrus sauce and thank us later) or pre-made salsas reign supreme. Keeping your pantry full of a variety of condiments ensures no meal will get boring or bland. 

Nut Butters

Peanut, almond, cashew, the list goes on! A staple for any vegan, different types of nut butters are not only nutritious but extremely versatile, making them great on everything from breakfast oats to dinner (try our Almond Butter Sweet Potato Kale Stew recipe) and snacks (how yummy does this vegan Rice Crispy Treat look?). 

Nutritional Yeast

If you’re vegan, you probably already love this powerhouse ingredient due to its extremely nutritious profile and cheesy, nutty taste. With high amounts of vitamins (namely B12), minerals, and protein, we like to sprinkle these yellow flakes on toast, pasta, vegetables, popcorn, dips … everything! Shake these WonderDust seasonings on your next meal for an extra boost of flavour.  

Plants First

Oats

Load your oatmeal with fruits, nut butter, hemp seeds, and even dark chocolate for a filling, mouthwatering breakfast. The easily customizable meal makes it a pantry staple for every morning. Plus, you can even make your own oat milk or use the grain in baking up desserts for a healthier alternative. Try this recipe for Apple Pie Coconut Oatmeal to get you started—it’s one of our favourites!

Pasta

If we were stranded on a desert island and could only bring one food item, it would be pasta (assuming there was also a pot there or an abundance of coconuts to makeshift one). Either way, macaroni, penne, fusilli … we love ‘em all! Though we also know we need to get our recommended amount of vegetables in a day, too, which is where Modern Table’s lentil-based pasta comes in. With 20 grams of protein and six grams of fibre, it’s hard to believe that pasta made from beans can somehow taste just like its wheat-based counterpart and also be good for you. 

Pasta sauce

If you’re planning a date night in quarantine, how about Italian night? Grab some spaghetti noodles and add this Primal Kitchen No Dairy Vodka Sauce with avocado oil for a creamy, decadent dinner. All that’s left is a glass or two of wine, some classical music, and voila, you’ve spruced up an otherwise routine dinner. 

Pre-packaged meals

Sometimes you want to spend all day on the couch binge-watching Netflix (no judgment) and for those days, you need to fuel your body without all the hassle. Enter easy-to-make, all-you-need-is-a-microwave meal packs! We like these plant-based, microwaveable Loma Linda complete meals for its range of options (Pad Thai, Chipotle Bowl, and Tikka Masala, to name a few). Plus, the brand is available at Costco so you can grab bulk packs at one time and make fewer trips to the store!

LUPii

Protein bars

Need a quick pre-workout snack or a pick-me-up during the day? We turn to these lupini-bean-powered Lupii bars made with less than six ingredients for sustained energy and a healthy dose of amino acids. Now, only one question: Peanut Butter Cacao Nib, Almond Butter Cinnamon Raisin, or Tahini Lemon Cranberry?

Rice

White or brown rice is usually a good bet for any lunch or dinner, but if you’re wanting to take the nutrition up a notch, try these lower-carb, protein-packed, and gluten-free RightRice packets made with a blend of lentils. With flavours like Lemon Pepper, Spanish, Garlic Herb, Thai Curry, and Cilantro Lime, we have an endless amount of ideas for dinner tonight.  

Soup

Fill the house with aromatic comfort while making a hearty meal in minutes with shelf-stable vegetable broth, veggies, and spices. Though, if you’re in the mood for something that takes less than three minutes, these organic Amy’s Kitchen soups are the way to go. Opt for Lentil Vegetable, Butternut Squash, or No Chicken Noodle for a quick, satiating, and warming lunch.

https://vegnews.com/2021/12/the-essential-vegan-guide-to-pantry-staples

Recipe: High-Protein Vegan Quinoa Hemp Tabbouleh

From vegnews.com

It’s not often that parsley is the star of a dish, but this refreshing salad is a delicious exception

Tabbouleh is an herby salad typically served cold, and this recipe from the High-Protein Plant-Based Diet for Beginners cookbook uses quinoa as a high-protein, gluten-free twist on the traditional dish, typically made with bulgur wheat.

What you need:

2 cups fresh curly parsley, washed and chopped
1½ cups cooked quinoa
6 tablespoons hemp hearts 
1 medium tomato, diced
3 scallions, white and green parts, roughly chopped
2 tablespoons fresh mint, roughly chopped
¼ cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

What you do:

1. In a large bowl combine all ingredients. Mix well to coat and combine.
2. Place in refrigerator to marinate for 20 to 30 minutes before serving.

https://vegnews.com/2021/12/vegan-quinoa-hemp-tabbouleh

Subway, Lidl, Papa John’s, And More Unveil Tantalizing Veganuary 2022 Launches

From plantbasednews.org

Whether you’re embracing veganism for the first time this Veganuary or not, here are some major brands endorsing the movement in the new year…

In just two days, the world will embrace the annual vegan challenge of giving up meat and dairy for the 31 days of January. Veganuary is set to be bigger than ever in 2022, and yet again, big brands are jumping on board.

As of this week, the UK is leading with the likes of Subway, Papa John’s, Starbucks, and Lidl extending vegan-friendly options.

Here is everything you need to know so you won’t miss out on major companies debuting plant-based treats to make the Veganuary pledge ever more delicious.

Subway confirms new vegan menu items 

Two new vegan-friendly options are soon to adorn menus at British Subway outlets, as the company increases its meat and dairy-free offerings.

Just a week ago, rumours circled that global sandwich giant Subway was to release a new vegan chicken sub. Now, it’s been confirmed that customers in the UK will be able to order a tikka sub this Veganuary branded the T.L.C Tikka aka Tastes. Like. Chicken. sub.

Additionally, the chain will trial a plant-based steak sub the following month. The T.L.S Tastes. Like. Steak sub will launch in 350 stores across the south of England from February 15.

Speaking on the news, Subway’s head of marketing for the UK and Ireland, Mays Elansari, said: “Our new plant-based T.L.C. Tikka and T.L.S. taste so delicious that vegans, flexitarians, and non-vegans will love them!

“At Subway, we are proud to have one of the widest and tastiest ranges of plant-based choices on the high street, without any compromise on flavor or taste, to offer our guests even more choice.”

Toni Vernelli of Veganuary echoed the sentiments. She stressed the importance of having lots of plant-based choices to make being vegan “a little easier and a lot more enjoyable.”

The vegan offerings are available from December 29.

Papa John’s brings fried breakfast to pizza

American pizza chain, Papa John’s is combining the joy of the all-day-fry-up with vegan pizza. 

Announced over Christmas, the company revealed the popular item would be returning, and this time it’s available vegan too.

It’s here as a limited edition in the UK.

The Vegan All Day Breakfast pizza is topped with Heinz baked beans, chestnut mushrooms, and potato tots. It also features vegan cheese and vegan hot dog flavoured sausages made from soy.

A large is available in-store and online for £19.99.

                        Included in the offerings are multiple vegan pizzas and Starbucks' first ever fish                                                                                        alternative Credit: Lidl/Starbucks/PBN

Starbucks extends vegan options

Ahead of the news that Starbucks is dropping its plant milk upcharge in the UK this week, the company made a further positive announcement for vegans.

The new Dark Cocoa & Orange Oat Latte (Credit: Starbucks/PBN)

This includes the launch of its first plant-based fish alternative, the Tu’NAH Sandwich. Made with The Vegetarian Butcher’s vegan fish, the offering features red onion, cucumber, rocket, and vegan mayonnaise. 

Moreover, in the new year, the chain will bring on board three new oat milk beverages.

From January 5, 2022, Strawberry & Vanilla, Dark Cocoa & Orange, and Honey & Hazlenut will launch in UK stores. However, the Honey and Hazlenut flavor is not vegan-friendly.

A new plant-based pecan and caramel brownie – featuring chocolate chunks, gooey caramel, and caramelized pecans – is also on its way.

They’re available for a limited time only.

Lidl announces Veganuary range

German discount supermarket giant, Lidl, has announced a stellar vegan range for UK customers as part of Veganuary next month.

The launch includes vegan salami, spinach and mushroom, and kale and basil puree pizzas as well as fried cauliflower and broccoli bites.

Each pizza is available for between £1.69 and £2.49.

There’s also Vegan Chicken Style Burgers, Mini Schnitzels, and Vegan Fish Fingers under the Vermondo brand.

Lidl will also add a Vegan Tortilla to its vegan offerings, and sausage slices: Vegan Cold Cuts, priced at £1.99 and 99p.

Additionally, new ready meals at the store include Bulgar Mix, Lentil Curry, and Chillie Sin Carne.

You can view the full range via Lidl’s website here

Aldi unveils vegan cake range for Veganuary

Following a major vegan Christmas launch, Aldi is stepping up its vegan offerings into the New Year as well.

Customers in the UK have already spotted Chocolate Orange Brownies and Banana Blondies under the store’s plant-based range, Plant Menu.

Vegan Food UK announced the news on social media today, garnering thousands of likes and comments.

Vegan Food UK is an online organization sharing vegan food news, reviews, vlogs, and more. It operates across multiple social media platforms, with a Facebook group, Facebook page, YouTube channel, and Instagram account.

https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/food/subway-lidl-veganuary-launches/ 

Beat the Veganuary blues with these great vegan makeup buys

From irishexaminer.com

By Rachel Marie Walsh

Swapping your go-to products for vegan options isn’t always a seamless process. Here are some Veganuary beauty buys that don't make you compromise 

Is this your first Veganuary? Cosmetics are probably troubling you less than the absence of tasty brunch options, but vegans are nothing if not fastidious and there are better “v- approved” beauty buys available every time I write about them. That said, swapping isn’t always a seamless process.

Verified vegan

There is still no legal standard for vegan beauty, unfortunately, and the quickest way to ensure a brand is on the level is to look for a Vegan Society logo. It certifies that products do not contain any animal extracts or animal by-products in the ingredients or the manufacturing process. Established in 1990, the society puts brands through a strict process before granting approval. It certifies that products do not contain any animal extracts or animal by-products in the ingredients or the manufacturing process. Beyond that, you can check ingredients for common vegan-offenders like lanolin, glycerin, snail gel, milk protein and tallow. A product’s availability in China used to be a red flag but the country lifted the mandatory animal testing requirements for some imported cosmetics in January 2021.

Veganism and your skin

Veganuary is a great thing to do for animals, the environment and potentially your own health but its beauty benefits are unclear. Last October, Natalie Portman told Harper’s Bazaar that going vegan made her skin “great”. She has great skin but there isn’t much scientific backing for any claim that veganism improved it. There is a link between skimmed milk consumption and the persistence of some people’s acne, according to a 2016 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. This type of milk is thought to increase production of insulin-like growth factor 1, which in turn stimulates the inflammatory condition. However, high-glycaemic, sugary foods that vegans may eat can also cause this increase. Atopic conditions like eczema are sometimes improved by eliminating dairy but a 2019 study found that fermented dairy products helped some eczema patients.

There is professional speculation (rather than studies showing) that the hormones used in meat and dairy production may stimulate acne and other skin issues, but I can’t direct you to any data suggesting this is the case. Ultimately, you will only know if veganism is the right choice for your skin when you try it. Cleaning up your diet generally can lower stress and help you sleep better. These things alone improve your appearance. As for whether vegan cosmetics are more dermatologically sound than alternatives, that’s more about an individual formula’s ingredients than its brand’s politics. There are certainly heaps of wonderful ingredients that are vegan-friendly.

Great vegan makeup buys

Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Beautiful Skin Foundation, €40 at Arnott’s and Brown Thomas from January 6

Charlotte Tilbury was 2021’s most-searched makeup brand in Ireland, according to research by the cosmetic procedure website Tajmeeli, so here’s a launch that will get hits if not be one. This is a medium coverage foundation with a glowing, natural-skin finish, mainly created by mica. The express goal of this foundation is to boost radiance. It contains a couple of non-greasy skincare ingredients, including apple fruit water, Vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid.

Eyeko Limitless Eyeshadow Palette, €25 at lookfantastic.ie

Eyeko’s first eyeshadow palette has a sextet of buildable, crease-proof powders that are easy to blend. The shade range isn’t the most dramatic, but a palette of warm, understated neutrals looks professional and makes it easy to correct mistakes.

Fenty Beauty Full Frontal Volume Lift and Curl Mascara, €24 at Boots

Fenty Beauty isn’t completely vegan but Full Frontal is. This mascara has gotten me more compliments that any in recent memory. It accomplishes a lot with very little product.

Róen Beauty Kiss My... Liquid Lip Balm Shimmer, €25.99 at cultbeauty.com

Co-founded by Dublin makeup artist Kate Synott, Róen is a fantastic vegan makeup and skincare brand. Kiss My… is made with mango, avocado, grapeseed, and coconut oils and comes in three flattering shades including ‘Rumour’ (pictured).

https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/fashionandbeauty/arid-40774233.html

The plant-based revolution: 10 European vegan meat alternative brands to check out

From eu-startups.com

A few years ago, veganism was seen as just a passing trend, a fad, the centre of memes. Today, veganism is no longer a novelty and has undoubtedly reached mainstream adoption. Between 2018 to 2020, Europe's plant-based food industry grew astronomically by 49%, amounting to total sales of € 3.6 billion. A lot of us find ourselves making vegan choices without even realising it.

Plant-based products are no longer just for vegetarians or vegans as consumers are becoming ever more conscious of their health, and the ethical implications of the food system. More and more people define their diet as ‘plant-based’ – meaning not necessarily strictly vegan but opting to choose meat alternatives where possible. The popularity of converting to veganism and plant-based has also been fuelled by viral, impactful campaigns like Veganuary and Meatless Mondays.

Whether you are plant-based or not, here’s a list of 10 vegan meat alternative brands from Europe that you should check out. The European plant-based market is estimated to have a CAGR of 8.75% between 2021-2028. The plant-based food market is still just getting started. We think that for more years to come as food science and technology progresses, we will see more innovative products come to market.

Jack and Bry – In 2018, Bryony (Bry), the founder of Jack and Bry, discovered how jackfruit (Jack) has a meat-like texture. She started Jack and Bry, and the rest is history. Jack and Bry produces vegan mince, burgers, and sausages that are high in fibre. The food tech start-up prides themselves to be a leader in product development using food science and technology. Earlier in 2021, they raised their €1.4 million seed round. Their products can be found in the UK and Netherlands.

Better Nature – Better Nature offers delicious nutritious tempeh products. Their founding team based in the UK consists of food scientists and researchers that have developed a delicious range of tempeh-based products. Their current range includes tempeh mince, tempeh rashers, kebab style tempeh strips, and more. Better Nature was founded in 2018 and has raised €2.8 million to date. You can find their products in the UK and Ireland.

Heura Foods – Founded in 2017 in Barcelona, Heura Foods is on a mission to empower people to change the current food system to be more sustainable, healthy, and nutritious. The founders have ensured that their plant-based proteins have their Mediterranean culture reflected in their products. They offer a wide range of plant-based meats including alternatives for chicken, beef, and pork that come in various formats including burgers, nuggets, and meatballs. Check out our interview with Heura’s co-founder and CEO, Marc Coloma.

VFC – VFC is short for vegan fried chick*n. They have a range of vegan fried ‘chicken’ fillets, bites, and nuggets that are made from wheat protein in a southern fried and crispy cornflake coating. VFC was founded in 2020 by Matthew Glover (co-founder of Veganuary) and renowned chef and restaurateur Adam Lyons. They aim to end the injustice of factory farming and inspire people to “cluck the system” and choose vegan foods. They believe that they are activists firsts and food producers second. Their products can be found in the UK, Spain, and the Netherlands and they are also expanding across the pond in the US and Canada.

Terra Vegane – Terra Vegane offers a range of products as alternatives to meat, egg, and cheese. Their range of alternative meats includes vegan burgers, steaks, salami, and sausages. The company was founded in Berlin. Their products can be found in Germany, the UK, Sweden, and Denmark.

Vivera – Vivera offers a range of vegan chicken products including spicy chicken kebab style, chicken breast, and south fried nuggets. Their products are produced from GMO-free soya. They are headquartered in Holten, Netherlands with products stocked across Europe. Vivera was acquired in April 2021 by JBS, one of the world’s largest food producers for €341 million.

THIS – The founders, Andy and Pete, were meat lovers and ran a burger restaurant. They founded the company in 2019 when they pinpointed the need for more alternatives for meat-free foods. They have achieved viral success with their clever marketing campaigns like the one where they fooled people with a look-alike Ed Sheeran to show people that meat-free alternatives can be as good as real meat products. Their range currently includes vegan chicken nuggets, meatballs, bacon, and sausages.

The Curators – The Curators is a snack brand creating flavourful snacks founded in 2017. Amongst their range, they have both non-vegetarian and vegan products. They produce a plant-based jerky that is teriyaki flavoured and also mushroom burgers and meatballs. Their products are currently only available in the UK.

Planted – As their name suggests, they make meats from plants that taste and feel like animal meat. Planted was founded in 2019 and is headquartered in Zurich. Their products are made exclusively from four natural ingredients: pea protein, pea fibres, water, and rapeseed oil. Their product range includes plant-based chicken, pulled pork, schnitzel, and kebab. You can find Planted’s products in retailers and restaurants across Europe.

Moving Mountains – Moving Mountains was founded in 2016 when the founder, Simeon, came up with the idea after being diagnosed with high cholesterol and was forced to cut out meat and dairy or go on statins. Moving Mountains created the UK’s first plant-based “bleeding” burger. Their meat alternatives range consists of their original burgers, hot dogs, mince, meatballs, and sausages. Their plant-based meats can be found in restaurants and retailers internationally.

https://www.eu-startups.com/2021/12/the-plant-based-revolution-10-european-vegan-meat-alternative-brands-to-check-out/

Google Searches for “Vegan Food Near Me” Spike by More than 5000 Percent in 2021

From vegnews.com

Google reports that “vegan food near me” registered as a breakthrough search in 2021, which means the term saw a more than 5,000-percent increase in searches

Google searches for “vegan food near me” experienced a more than 5,000-percent increase in 2021. Search engine Google identified the term as a “breakthrough search” in its newly released “Year in Search” report. 

Outside of “vegan food near me,” Google users were seeking out other vegan-related topics. In the month of October, “is climate change caused by humans” and “how does eating less meat help climate change” were breakout searches in the United Kingdom. In November, global searches for “vino vegano” (vegan wine in Spanish) increased by more than 3,800 percent. When it came to specific foods, people searched for the word “vegan” in conjunction with pasta, cake, pancake, chili, and soup.

This year, as the world continued to struggle with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Google identified that users were searching for “how to heal” in a variety of ways, both directly by inputting the term (which also experienced record search increases this year) and indirectly by searching for health-promoting topics, including those around planetary health. 

Google’s vegan searches on the rise

Google’s annual search report gives a glimpse into what people are most interested in learning, and veganism has been a high priority for several years in a row. A report released last year showed that Google searches for veganism hit an all-time high in 2020. And food is not the only query as 10 million Google searches are done for non-food related vegan items such as shoes, cosmetics, and handbags. When it comes to the popularity of veganism in specific global regions, the UK, Australia, and Israel held the top three spots with the United States coming in at 12th place. 

Searches for vegan topics are most popular in the month of January, due likely to resolutions around achieving better health through diet change and the annual Veganuary campaign—which challenges people worldwide to go vegan for the month of January and beyond. In fact, January 2020 searches for “Veganuary” in the campaign’s home country of UK were about equal to those for “dry January”—a popular tradition to go alcohol-free at the beginning of the year. 

Overall, Google searches for “how to conserve,” “impact of climate change,” and “sustainability” also reached all-time highs in 2021. This year’s searches around veganism in combination with sustainability point to the growing awareness of animal agriculture’s impact on the planet. While research on the topic has been mounting for some time, this year, several major studies pointed to the fact that an animal-heavy diet is far more resource intensive than a plant-based one, including a University of Leeds study published this month in the scientific journal PLOS One which found that meat-eaters are responsible for 59-percent more greenhouse gas emissions than vegetarians.

Since many restaurants operated in a limited capacity in 2021, Google searches for “vegan food near me” likely ended with orders from popular food and grocery delivery platforms such as Instacart and Grubhub (which both confirm this trend as they experienced spikes in popularity of vegan food). On Instacart, approximately one third of users ordered vegan alternatives to meat and milk in the first quarter of 2021. On Grubhub, plant-based orders boomed, with the Impossible Cheeseburger dethroning the spicy chicken sandwich as the top order of 2021. 

https://vegnews.com/2021/12/google-searches-for-vegan-food