Don’t be tricked when they say plant-based instead of vegan. These words are alike but not for the consumers lately. The word ‘vegan’ can at times have a negative connotation, whereas ‘plant-based’ is the thing. The trend of plant-based foods has picked up the pace, especially now amid the pandemic times when the nutritionists are all in favor. They have now found a comfortable home in the entire grocery section, including the frozen aisle. They say that fresh plant-based food is better but did you know research demonstrates that frozen food can be healthier? Well, let’s dive a little deeper to explore more.
Why opt for plant-based frozen foods?
There are many studies that stipulate frozen food items to be rich in proteins. Research published in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis states that in a few cases, frozen produce is considered to be more nutritious than other fresh produce that has been stored for days. Wondering how? Well, right after harvesting, the produce starts to lose its dietary benefits. And to tackle this situation, fresh fruits and vegetables are blanched, then submerged in cold water so that they don’t ripe. This process deactivates living compounds and takes into consideration the produce to hold its proteins and supplements. In the grocery stores, the fresh food items usually sit longer than three to four days. Ergo, choosing frozen plant-based foods, in which vitamins, minerals, and nutrients are preserved, is a much viable and healthier option.
The future landscape
It doesn’t come as a surprise that health and well-being, in such dystopian times, have become the utmost priority for people. Individuals are actually reassessing what they eat and its impact on our environment. According to a market research firm, Technavio, the global frozen food sector is estimated to grow to $64.69 billion between the years 2020 and 2024 by a compounded annual growth rate of 11 per cent. It has been largely driven by plant-based foods, and the Asia Pacific region is one of the emerging markets.
The shift in consumers’ mindset
The inclinations and preferences of individuals have transformed altogether. They now prefer their food packed with a high health quotient and nutrients. Ergo, the comfort of frozen plant-based food makes them famous among consumers of all age gatherings.
Choosing a plant-based diet is a general approach to eating. In other words, it’s simply about eating items from plant sources. Right from better weight management, lower risk of heart disease and other conditions to diabetes prevention and treatment, there are numerous advantages of eating such foods. Many studies have recommended that individuals who include plant-based items primarily in their regimens will, in general, have a lower weight record (BMI) and lower obesity, diabetes, and heart diseases than the people who eat meat. These diets are high in fiber, complex carbs, and water content from fruits and vegetables. The researchers have suggested that such diets can help prevent cancer too. Eat a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, grains, beans, nuts, and more as it’s the best way to source cancer-protective nutrients, including fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals.
Owing to their plethora of benefits, the plant-based frozen food snacks market is sure to boom in the times ahead.
Summing up
The food processing industry players are slowly but surely adopting various advanced tech solutions due to the increasing demand of plant-based frozen snacks. They are putting in their best foot forward to meet the industry’s requirements. And to do that, they are using avant-garde equipment that provides turnkey solutions.