Animal-Based Diet To Plant-Based Diet: A Transformation, One Food Dish At A Time

In the small hamlet, I hail from Dehradun where words and phrases like ‘plant-based’ ‘alternative protein’ or ‘vegan cheese’ were alien concepts a decade back. The same was true in most regions of India. Fast forward to today, and I’m sitting at a quaint little cafe offering vegan pizzas, tofu butter masala and coconut milk cappuccino. There’s been a visible change not just in the range of food choices in my community but throughout India’s (roughly) $30 billion food industry too.   
So, what’s the deal with this sweeping trend that’s taking India’s food industry, food-tech startups, and investors by storm? And what has it got to do with World Food Day, celebrated on October 16 every year to commemorate the founding of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and its anti-hunger and food security mission?

The simple answer is that it’s a shift in public attitudes and values that’s been powerfully influenced by consumer behavior and conscious eating habits. More than ever, consumers now want to eat healthier food – for themselves and the planet. Reports suggest that there’s been increasing curiosity about alternative proteins and plant-based diets-and a greater willingness to experiment with them, especially after the pandemic. And the HoReCa (Hotels, Restaurants, and Cafes) industry has moved swiftly to tap into this lucrative trend and meet the demand.       

Also Read: Weight Loss: Add These Protein-Rich Snacks To Your Plant-Based Diet

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