Skip to main content

Are we shifting our diet more to a plant protein based one?

 

Are India’s largest FMCG players riding the next megatrend? There’s one particular thing that long-term investors keep an eye out for and that is the next megatrend. Every asset management company has a primer explaining this concept. According to Blackrock, megatrends are powerful, transformative forces that could change the global economy, business and society. 

 

You can easily put your money to work and reap the rewards over the next decade. It's the classic ‘buy and hold approach where it focuses on a theme and not just a stock. It's not just investors who are trying to get into the ground floor. Companies are constantly trying to see if they can diversify their business and capture megatrends. For example, some of the megatrends include rapid urbanization, a shift in global economic power, the rise of technology, digitalization, and growing interest in health or sustainable energy. 

 

One of the biggest trends is the dietary shift toward plant-based products. 

 

This is the kind that does not have actual animal products. So instead of cow's milk, you have soy milk or almond milk, instead of chicken nuggets, you get a plant-based version that is concocted on things like soya or pea protein. However, only 3% of the world admits to following a plant-based diet.  This shift towards plant-based products is in its early stages. 

 

In 2014, the trend of veganism grew and ‘Veganuary’ an annual challenge that is run by a UK non-profit organisation started to promote and educate people about veganism by encouraging people to follow a vegan lifestyle began and lasted for the whole month of January.   Every year the participation grows and in the past 3 years, the initiative has seen a 200% increase in sign-ups. However, it was as early as the 2010’s when the vegan diet became popular. In fact, The Economist had declared the year 2019 as “the year of the vegan”. While many people have adopted this lifestyle because of personal reasons, it is known that a vegan diet is better for the environment. While meat-based diets utilize resources such as land, water and energy to produce fool vegan diets require less cropland.

 

One of the main benefits of this diet such as a lowered risk of heart disease. In contrast, meat-based diets lead to an increased risk of diseases such as pneumonia, diabetes, several cancers and diverticular disease.

 

People are far more aware of the health benefits, the health consequences of eating meat products and the ethical and environmental impact of animal agriculture.

 

 Besides that, weight management animal welfare and environmental concerns are big motivators. Did you know, that it was as early as 1944 when a British woodcutter- DonaldWatson actually announced that he was going to create a new term known as a vegan to describe people who did not eat dairy and eggs. 

 

As of January 2021, approximately there were 79 million people were vegans.  However, this is only a minute 1% of the global population. In fact, the oldest person who lived up to the year 117 (a Canadian supercentenarian) was known for following a vegan diet. Vegan diets first became popular in 2004. It was even found that according to the Good Food Institute, the sales of plant-based foods had grown three times faster than overall food sales in 2021. Some of the top vegan countries include Hippeas, Allplants, Follow Your Heart, JUST egg, Quorn, Oatly and beyond meat. Some of the top vegan brands in India include Veggie Champ (Ahimsa Food), Vegeta Food (Biotrack Foods), Good Dot, Mister Veg and Greenest foods. Some of the vegan egg brands include Evo Foods, Vezeley and Plant Made, Some of the vegan milk brands include Good Mylk (Veganarke) and Strive, Life Health Foods. Some of the vegan cheese brands include Soft Spot and  Liveyumfoods.com. Some of the vegan ice cream brands in India include Papa Cream, White cub, Urban Platter, Wakao Foods, Imagine Meats, Eat with BetterJus Amazing and Katharos.

 

Not only are the benefits of vegan food numerous but they are extremely healthy. Vegan food (for those who don’t know) is 100% vegetarian, healthy and nutritious, less in fats, and cholesterol free and a nutritious meal with carbohydrates, protein, good fats, fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Vegan food creates a cruelty-free environment and you can enjoy meat without harming animals. 

 

Shraddha Kapoor, Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma, Alia Bhatt, Akshay Kumar, Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer Singh, Sonakshi Sinha, Kangana Ranaut, Aamir Khan and John Abraham. Some of the Hollywood celebrities who follow vegan diets include Billie Eilis, Stevie Wonder, Brad Pitt, Ariana Grande, Johnny Depp, Moby, Arnold Schwarzenegger

Zac Efron, Jackie Chan, Drew Barrymore, Lionel Messi and many more!

 

However, most vegans need to plan their diet out well as they lack vitamin B12 and iron. They may also need vitamin D, iodine, and omega-3 fatty acids. Did you know that there is even evidence to trace back vegan food to over 2,000 years ago! One of the earliest known vegans was the Arab poet al-Maʿarri (c. 973 – c. 1057). Their arguments were based on health, the transmigration of souls, animal welfare, and the view—espoused by Porphyry in De Abstinentia ab Esu Animalium ("On Abstinence from Animal Food", c.

 

 

 Even plant-based whey proteins have picked up the trend and NOW many manufacturers provide both whey protein powder — derived from cow’s milk — and plant-based alternatives. While most whey products are isolated from whey, a milky liquid byproduct of cheese making, plant-based protein powders are derived from various types of plants — commonly brown rice, pea, soy, and hemp. Some of the top plant-based whey proteins include Isopure, Oziva Superfood Plant Protein, WOW Life Science Plant Protein Powder and Muscle XP Plant Protein.


 

 

 

 

·                    

 

 

 

 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Karina Pandya in Conversation with Co-Founder of the Banyan, Dr. Vandana Gopikumar

An incident of coming across a homeless and mentally ill woman in distress on the road in front of her college in Chennai paved the route for Vandana Gopikumar to establish one of the leading NGOs in the field of mental health – The Banyan. While she was yet a Master’s student of Social Work, Vandana along with a close friend Vaishnavi Jayakumar encountered several other incidents of not being able to find the right shelter and mental institution for a woman in need of medical and psychiatric attention.     The Banyan, which was established in 1993 has been a one-stop destination to not only rescue, and rehabilitate but also treat mentally ill women from low-income groups. Vandana Gopikumar has pioneered a movement, helping thousands of individuals not only reintegrate into society but also secure long-term medical treatment.    Not only is she the co-founder of the NGO – The Banyan, but is also the co-founder of The Banyan Academy of Leadership (BALM). She is also a...

4 Mindfully Spent Days At Woods At Sasan for a Writing Retreat with Bhavna Kher

Writing has been my passion for over 18 years so when I heard about the Writing Retreat that screenwriter, brand consultant and former creative director of Ogilvy - Bhavna Kher was going to conduct I was immediately interested in attending the same.     Not only this but I also wanted to connect with other writers and also sharpen my writing skills as well. It was a perfect opportunity to find inspiration within a focused environment.  Moreover, the 4-day writing retreat, (September 14- September 18th) which was conducted at a luxury boutique resort provided the perfect break from city life, and mindfully focused on sharpening one’s writing skills.  Having our independent quarters, we were surrounded by thickets of trees, within a lush mango orchard on the fringes of the Sasan Gir forest. It was the perfect place to calmly create a story without any disturbances. Moreover, in between the writing exercises, we went for a safari, and eco-trail, and were given besp...

Pema Wellness Resort In Vishakhapatnam With An Infinity Pool Overlooking The Sea Can Be Your Ultimate Luxury Escape!

Overlooking the Bay of Bengal and the Eastern Ghats on the other side, 3km from the lively and beautiful Rushikonda Beach is the tranquil Pema resort, spread over 28 acres on Healing Hill, Beach Road, Vizag.  This Healing hub is 100,000 Sq. ft with 20,000 sq. ft therapy rooms a luxurious and spacious restaurant, and a 7000 Sq. ft fitness & therapeutic Yoga studio, enclosed with a blissful scenic beauty of nature.   Aiming at incorporating a healthy lifestyle, Pema Wellness Resort is a one-stop solution for those who are seeking a break from the hustle-bustle of fast-paced city life.  Boasting luxurious décor and high-raised ceilings, there are different rooms to choose from; executive, luxury, premium and suites. Besides this, there are 5 cottages. Every room comes with a breathtaking view.  Incorporating holistic lifestyle wellness solutions through ancient practices such as Yoga, Meditation, Naturopathy, therapeutic nutrition and other healing practices there a...