We are in the midst of a changing world and this change is not brought about by bullets or bombs. A tiny virus completely demolished our usual lifestyle and it is now up to us to ensure that our future is not the same as our present.
Along with having to deal with the virus, we are battling climate change. In order for us to prevent either one to take a toll on our physical health, we need to get proactive. The first thing we can do is change our diet. These are some of the food items that we might see on our plates in the future.
Meat substitutes made of plants
If the rising levels of global warming and greenhouse effect have made us realize anything, it is that meat production needs to be stopped for the sake of biodiversity. We need to make our diet as meat-free as possible in order to ensure a healthy body as well as the environment.
However, that is not a very real measure even though many people have started working towards that trend. These people in turn are asking for meat substitutes that are based on plants as they plan to remain health-conscious.
In fact, many companies have even started their venture in this new arena of food items for this new generation. This includes
- Beyond Meat: Based in Los Angeles this firm is credited for making the first plant-based burger. In addition to that, there are other plant-based products as well such as plant-based sausages, chicken strips, as well as beef, crumble made of pea protein, and soy.
- Fry Family: Based in South Africa this film shares a lot of features with Beyond Meat and boasts of more than 15 different meat substitutes based on plants.
- Impossible Foods: Based in California, this start-up has achieved something unimaginable by creating the first-ever plant-based burger which can sizzle and bleed like meat.
The rise of lab-grown meat
No matter how much we advertise and glamourize meat made out of plants, it will not be the same for those who enjoy a good steak occasionally. That doesn’t mean, there is no hope for all meat-loving consumers.
Keeping in mind the challenges and threats posed by global warming, scientists have devised a new idea to provide as well as control climate change. This can be done with the help of synthetic that is grown in laboratories. This technology is not too old as it started around 2013.
The procedure incorporates the use of stem cells from a cow to culture ground beef. As far as its smell and tastes are concerned, there is very minimal difference between lab-grown meat and the actual meat. In fact, the cooking of the former is as simple as cooking the latter.
At the same time, these new-age products are being screened through adequate safety and public health standards. In Australia, for instance, regulators are monitoring companies dealing with lab-grown meat so that consumers do not feel cheated. They are being made subject to additional food safety codes in order to prevent any breach of consumer laws.
Use of microorganisms in food production
The aforementioned food items are certainly revolutionizing the way we think of food products. But that is not where things end. Cultivating microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, microalgae, and yeast is initiating another change. These microorganisms have come to be highly rich sources of protein. Compared to their meat as well as dairy counterparts, they do not possess saturated fat.
Insects with a high amount of protein
As weird as the above might sound, but insects can be a part of our diet in the future. They will be used for manufacturing burgers, snack bars, and even flour. The consumption of insects also referred to as entomophagy is one possible future of food.
In some countries, this is already being practiced. These countries include China, Mexico, Brazil, and Thailand to name a few. Insect farming is often considered to be a sustainable means of providing food to the ever-increasing global population.
Many insects such as crickets and grasshoppers are considered to be the source of high-protein foods. Doing so will eradicate malnutrition as well as reduce the impact of the meat-based diet on the environment.
Personalized nutrition strategies
Apart from all the above-specified food items that will replace or be added to our menu, people will also create their own personal nutrition strategies. Much of our focus will be on consuming those food items that will not make us more prone to heart ailments as well as diabetes.
Controlling obesity will also be a major concern for consumers. Most importantly, members of a family will not have to consume the same food, as every member will have to deal with different body issues.
