David Wiener, Nutritionist for Sankofa Snacks, outlines some of the nutrition movements to look our for in the year ahead.
1. Upcycled foods
Shockingly, up to 40 per cent of food worldwide is wasted. To reduce that figure, 2021 will see brands and food manufacturers continuing to find and develop new ways to upcycle ingredients that would normally have been discarded.
The year is likely to see an influx of new products that utilise neglected and under-used ingredients to maximise the energy used to produce, transport and prepare that ingredient.
Think food products made with the grains left over from brewing beer, and products that utilise leftover pulp from the juicing process.
2. The power of plantain
Plantain is set to become one of the superfoods to look out for in 2021.
A staple in the tropical regions, plantain is treated in much the same way as the potato, but what sets it a part is the multitude of health benefits it offers, as well as its nutrient and vitamin profile.
Rich in vitamins A, C, B6 and potassium, plantain is loaded with digestion-aiding fibre, as well as antioxidants that may help to boost your immune system and protect your body against free radical damage – associated with ageing and heart disease.
See sankofasnacks.com for a selection of plantain crisps available in different flavours.
3. Alternative flours
With a baking revolution born of the coronavirus lockdowns, in-demand flour brands are looking to make their recipes healthier and more inclusive for the growing number of people who suffer with food allergies.
An array of interesting flours are entering the market and becoming increasingly popular.
These so-called ‘super flours’ deliver better nutrition, free from additives. Look out for cassava flour, coconut flour and almond flour.
4. Better butters
2021 will see new-and-improved vegan butters and spreads that eliminate the use of palm oil – the harvesting of which is one of the main causes of deforestation and a threat to many species of wildlife.
Leading the way will be products made from nuts and seeds. Still incredibly versatile, these butters can be used in a wide variety of recipes, changing the way you cook, bake and eat for the better.
5. Insects
Insects are high in protein, can be farmed and produced relatively easily and more cheaply, and that farming is infinitely better for the environment than large-scale meat production.
Read all about the benefits of eating insects here: Why Insects Are The Future Of Food.
