5 On-Trend Plant-Based Innovations

Plant-based eating is here to stay.

Whether it’s a way of life, a way to add more nutrition to one’s diet or a way to be more environmentally conscious, plant-based eating has topped several retailers’ trends to watch in 2021, including Save A Lot and The Kroger Co.

Save A Lot expects more consumers to experiment with plant-based as they learn how to combine complimentary plant proteins for more nutritionally complete dishes.

And Kroger says, “In the coming year, consumers will find a growing selection of eco-friendly products that reduce their carbon footprint, including plant-based and plant-blended meats, sustainably packaged products and more.”

Click through for some recent innovations in plant-based.  

Upton’s Naturals has released Banana Blossom, a whole-food, plant-based fish alternative. Banana blossoms, the edible flowers that grow at the end of a banana bunch, are a culinary tradition in Southeast Asia and can serve as a seafood substitute because it mimics the taste and texture of soft, flaky fish. The certified-organic product is kosher, low in fat and calories, and free of cholesterol, sugar, gluten, soy, oil and GMOs. Banana Blossom has an SRP of $3.99.

Harvest Snaps Crunchions from Calbee is a plant-based snack featuring nutrition-packed red lentils as its first ingredient. The baked crisp comes in Kick’n BBQ, Sour Cream Onion and Tangy Sweet Chili flavors. Made with real veggies, the lineup is certified gluten-free, vegetarian-friendly and free of artificial flavors and colors, cholesterol, palm oil and common allergens. The SRP range for a 2.5-ounce bag is $2.29 to $2.49.

Mary’s Gone Crackers, a gluten-free, non-GMO, organic and plant-based snack brand, has launched three new Real Thin flavors: Olive Oil + Cracked Black Pepper, Tomato + Basil, and Chipotle. Available now, the new flavors join more than 15 existing Real Thin flavors online and in retail locations.

Nature’s Path Foods has launched grain-free hot cereals. The two protein-rich hot cereals–Maple Almond Crunch and Cinnamon Apple Crisp—blend plant-based watermelon seed protein with nutrient-dense, healthy fats. The cereals retail for $6.49 a box, or $21.96 for a four pack.

Once Again Nut Butter is introducing Creamy Cashew Butter With Lemon. The organic cashew butter has 5 grams of plant-based protein per serving. It is Non-GMO Project verified, gluten-free certified, vegan, kosher, peanut-free and sustainably manufactured. Creamy Cashew Butter With Lemon is available for retailers nationwide to carry and retails at an SRP of $13.41 per 12-ounce jar.