Up until recently, finding vegan-friendly foods and plant-based products in your local supermarket was almost surreal, almost as if one would only expect to find those items in high-end stores.
Of course, times are changing, and as growing numbers of Americans make the shift over to a plant-based and cruelty-free diet, the vegan diet has become much more accessible to the average American.
That being said, the majority of these foods still cost way more than they reasonably should, and it’s not easy for low-income vegans to afford such a diet.
Thankfully, there are always alternatives, and even if you’re having trouble finding something in your area, there’s likely a good replacement or something just as healthy for you to consume, at a fraction of the cost.
Keep reading to learn more about plant-based food trends for the average vegan American and how you can minimize your expenses.
Veganism grows in popularity
It’s hard to pinpoint when exactly it was that the vegan diet spiked in popularity, but some quick thinking can likely point you in the direction of the COVID-19 pandemic, which seemed like it would never end.
Due to being locked inside their homes all day for the better part of 2 full years, many Americans tried to find interesting ways to change up their lives a bit, just to keep things interesting, and it’s what helped so many discover the wonders of a plant based diet.
With health being the main thing everyone was focused on, it was only a matter of time before veganism took the world by storm, as plant-based diets have been found to have incredible effects on one’s immune system and overall health.
Another great thing about this diet is the fact that it incorporates a lot of raw food, which is an excellent choice for someone who’s not too skilled in the kitchen or simply wants to beat the summer heat.
Vegan chicken
Originally something that could only be found in specialty store, imitation chicken meat has quickly become mainstream, to the point where even meat-eaters are sometimes opting for this plant-based alternative.
Vegan chicken had become so popular that fast food chains like Burger King have made it a staple on their menu, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a location that doesn’t sell vegan-friendly meals at a decent price.
One of the reasons why it’s so popular is the fact that it’s almost impossible to tell the difference between the plant-based meat and the real thing, similar to how seitan tastes just like meat despite being nothing more than dough and some seasoning.
It was only a matter of time until brands caught onto this trend, and Kourtney Kardashian along with Travis Barker cashed in on the popularity of cruelty-free chicken, participating in several global campaigns from Impossible Foods.
Plant-based milk
There’s no better way to start a day than a bowl of your favorite cereal, but this isn’t something that vegans can enjoy, or so we thought, as vegan alternatives to milk have finally become affordable.
Ever since the industry was created, vegan milk has only been growing in popularity, in part due to the beneficial effects almond and soy milk can have, bringing in non-vegan consumers as well.
In fact, almond milk has practically become a mainstay in the American kitchen alongside whole milk, and a great deal of contemporary recipes call for this vegan alternative instead.
Of course, while the taste may be ever so slightly different, the advantages plant-based milk has are practically endless, ranging from the lower fat content to the fact that it’s much safer for lactose intolerant individuals to consume.
Animal-friendly seafood
Seafood can mean many things, and while you may instantly jump to shrimp, crab, lobster or tuna, there’s a lot more that the vast oceans of this planet have to offer.
A staple in the Japanese diet, seaweed has quickly become one of the most popular foods for vegans across the globe, and if you factor in the benefits you gain from eating seaweed, dried, cooked or fresh, you’d understand why so many are incorporating it in their diet.
Packed full of iron and antioxidants, seaweed classifies as a superfood, and it’s commonly used as a supplement when dried and ground up, as many have trouble stomaching the strange taste it has.
Of course, every taste is an acquired one, and if you give it a chance, you may just be able to eat seaweed and other algae more often.
Bottom line
Vegan trends shift every year as the technology we have access to advances, giving us more options in terms of cruelty free and plant-based foods.
Naturally, you should first consult with your physician, as the vegan diet can be tough on one’s health due to an obvious lack of certain nutrients, but if you’re strong enough to handle it, you’ll begin seeing results in no time.