Since the pandemic, different food trends have started all over the world. Despite most of last year spent in lockdown, people started getting busy baking. People went on to try different kinds of diets. Some went vegan, while some tried to be vegetarians. The year is set for healthy eating. So here are 5 of the biggest food trends in 2021: 

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. Now, 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, you can 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 especially good for us as a superfood and easy to incorporate into nearly any meal. Because of their availability in the market and their health benefits, vegetables have become a major food trend in 2021.

3. Alcohol-free beverages

Mock-tails have been popular for quite some time, but the alcohol-free trend is only set to grow in 2021. It isn’t just alcohol-free beer either, now we are seeing alcohol-free wines and spirits arriving on the shelves. 

While alcohol is fine in moderation, it’s important to limit your intake because it can have negative effects on your health and skin. But 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 get to enjoy the same relaxing drink without the risk of 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. With so many brands to choose from on supermarket shelves, you are sure to find something you enjoy. 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 does too, which means food companies are willing to explore more and more ways to produce meat substitutes. This is perhaps one of the biggest food trends in the year 2021.

It has never been easier to follow a plant-based diet. There is also an added benefit to the environment because 36% of the world’s crops are used to feed livestock and its livestock creates a large portion of greenhouse gases. Therefore, by embracing more sustainable plant-based options you are serving the environment well. 

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 be sure to read the label when something brags about being low-sugar because there may be hidden additives in them that you’re trying to avoid. 

This post was submitted by Liyana Perry. Liyana is a food lover and loves to write about everything related to food.