It’s Time to Go Plant-Based: New Tastes Deliver Healthy Eating Options

When the first Whole Foods Market opened in Austin, Texas, in 1980, it was an instant success. Shoppers were elated to have healthy food choices at a nearby market. Only six health food stores were available in the U.S. at this time. Fast forward 40 years and Whole Foods remains a top health food competitor, known and beloved for quality products and a commitment to sustainability.  Shoppers value plant-based diets and the ease of incorporating delicious options from Whole Foods into their diet. In this post, we’ll look at some of the benefits offered by following a plant-based diet with food choices from the Whole Foods 2024 Market Trends report.

Whole Foods 2024 Market Trends Food Choices

A meatless plate is much different than a plant-based plate. Companies seemed to slip away from plant-based and focused more on meatless options. To the delight of health-conscious eaters everywhere, that changes in 2024, and companies refocus on plant-based, tasty meals.

In 2024, expect the plant to reappear dramatically. Health-conscious consumers not only get back the plant on their plates but enjoy flavor-packed options that amplify their plates and tummies.

A few 2024 Whole Foods market trend expectations include:

• Faux Fish: Whole Foods recognizes the importance of imitation fish that is flavorful and healthy. We love the taste of fish, but options available in recent years haven’t exactly satisfied us. In 2024, faux fish is bold and daring, with flavorful explosions bursting in your mouth. Dorot Gardens‘ flash-freezing process for pre-portioned herbs and spices gives every seafood option a robust flavor the whole family will love.
• Buckwheat: Buckwheat is a superfood choked full of protein, fiber, and carbs. It’s completely gluten-free. So far, it has experienced limited use in plant-based cooking, but that changes in the coming year. Buckwheat has long been used in noodles and similar foods but this year, Buckwheat is everywhere, used in everything from granola to crackers.
• Whole Cacao: Delicious and nutritious for anyone. With tasty options like chocolate-covered cocoa beans, companies are utilizing the whole cacao bean versus its pulp in the coming year.
• Noodles: Ramen noodles are a healthy, quick go-to favorite. In 2024, expect a new style of noodles in a Whole Foods market near you. Continuing to provide the same gluten-free, non-MSG options you’ve always loved, the new arrivals promise flavor-packed noodles you’ll want more often.

Don’t limit your plate to the foods above when many others can contribute to a well-balanced, delicious plate. Try foods like:

• Soybeans
• Tofu
• Nuts and seeds
• Quinoa (One of the most beneficial superfoods you can eat)
• Beans and peas

Adding the foods above into your diet allows you to do more with your plate, gives you more opportunities to enjoy plant-based foods, and ensures a delightful experience in the kitchen.  These choices still do not represent the broad range of healthy, plant-based foods available to enjoy.

The Power of the Plant: Why Follow a Plant-Based Diet

Following a plant-based diet can significantly improve your health and well-being. You are what you eat, thus, eating plant-based foods helps you feel, look, and be your best. A plant-based diet offers healthy cooking options that do not harm the environment or animals, further benefits for the majority who convert to the diet.

Let’s take a look at some of the ways a plant-based diet benefits your health and well-being:

High in Vitamins and Minerals

We depend on certain foods to deliver the necessary vitamins and minerals our body needs, but they do not produce themselves.  Plant-based foods are low in calories, low in cholesterol, and saturated fat, and deliver significant boosts of vitamins and minerals to keep you healthy.

Plus, incorporating a variety of herbs, spices, and flavors into your meals excites your taste buds.  We may find ourselves bored with the same foods on our plates. Enhancing them with flavor changes things, giving us exciting food choices.

Reduce Inflammation

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to infections and injuries, and to fight off problems in the immune system.  Chronic inflammation, however, poses significant threats to your health and well-being since it can damage the body’s tissues and cells.

Inflammation has many causes, including our diets. By consuming plant-based foods, we can eliminate triggers that cause these diseases and inflammation and ensure our best health is a top priority.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Obesity is a major concern across the U.S. It puts you at a higher risk for 12 different types of cancer, improves cardiovascular health, and improves overall quality of life.

Beating the obesity problem is not difficult. Along with regular exercise, a protein-based diet can help control weight and avoid the health risks and complications obesity causes. Choosing a plant-based diet eliminates foods that lead to obesity.

Supports the Immune System

No other food provides the same essential vitamins and nutrients as plants.  You’ll enjoy robust quantities of phytochemicals, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals in every serving, allowing you to maintain healthy cells and body balance.

Consuming plant-based foods gives you better infection-fighting capabilities as it protects your immune system, preventing microorganisms from making you sick. Plus, a healthy immune system reduces cancer risk since it attacks mutations before they become problematic.

Reduce Risk of Disease

A plant-based diet has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of many diseases. We’ve discussed how it reduces the risk of cancer, but it also can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and some mental illness.

A Promising Plant-Based Year Ahead

Converting to a plant-based diet is one of the best health decisions you can make for yourself and your family.  Do not knock it before you try it if you’ve yet to acclimate yourself to the food options. With exciting new changes ahead in the coming year, you’ll appreciate the new variety and trying new foods as often as possible. Now that you know how wonderfully a plant-based diet impacts your health, there is no reason to eat anything else.