In an ongoing effort to eat healthier, our family has been focusing on purchasing more plant-based meals, especially protein alternatives in the meat and dairy aisles. Many across the country are also picking up plant-based protein products.
The plant protein segment, which includes meat, cheese, milk (soy, nut, and oat beverages), and sour cream alternatives, is growing as more consumers embrace wellness, ethics, and flavor, according to NielsenIQ. Other factors are due to the products tasting better and being more widely available.
Do you purchase plenty of plant-based products? If so, let us know! Just leave a comment in the section below!
Plant-Based Protein Products = Better Health
Overall, 52% of U.S. consumers are eating more plant-based foods and they believe it makes them feel healthier, according to NielsenIQ.
Grocery sales of plant-based foods that directly replace animal products grew 12.1% to $1.3 billion in the 52 weeks ending July 31, 2021, and 53% over the past two years, according to data from NielsenIQ.
Sales of meat alternatives jumped 11% during this time to $922.2 million. The growth was powered by a 43% increase in households that purchased meat alternatives.
Plant-based proteins have a strong presence in the dairy case and frozen dessert aisles. According to NielsenIQ, during the 52 weeks ending July 3, 2021, plant-based alternative milk products increased 9.8%, and accounted for 15.5% of all milk sales!
Meanwhile, plant-based cheese sales grew 19.8% for the year and 65% for the two full years (over four times faster than dairy cheese). 
Record Your Plant-Based Product Purchases
So as you can see, by scanning your purchases, your data is proving to be extremely valuable to manufacturers and retailers of protein-based products.
Please continue recording all of your purchases, whether plant-based or otherwise!
Have a great rest of the week.
Best Regards,
Taylor
Also see:
- Pumpkin Spice Everywhere You Look (October 15, 2020)
I do eat plant based and I drink oat milk daily.
Hi my ncp app sent me a message regarding eating plant based foods and asked me to comment here if I eat them.
So, yes I do, I buy a lot of plant based foods.
The biggest one is the milk, I’m lactose intolerant which is what started my interest in healthier eating at a young age. I began using soy milk instead of cow milk, after years I learned about phytoestrogens and decided to make the switch to a different plant based milk.
Currently I buy almond milk because of its lower price point, but I like almost all kinds of “alternative” plant milks.
I prefer plant based food and drink for the reason that animals are friends not food.
I eat plant-based protein at least three times a week I do 3 days at least 3 days vegan I love that a lot of the plant-based burgers and plant-based chicken substitute patties are very delicious and even the The substitute cheese and to me I’ve I’ve given them to my children to my friends and they cannot believe that they’re not eating meat
My husband and I have returned to eating plant based after a couple year hiatus. We couldn’t be happier! There are so many amazing products that have come out and there are so many awesome bloggers and YouTubers with incredible recipes and methods. There is a fun world of interesting veggies, grains and spices out there!!
I’ve been plant based for over a year now. Within a month of doing it I was off the blood pressure and cholesterol medications. Feeling great!
I’m a Vegan and eat plant based items all the time. I feel that a lot of manufacturers are getting on board now because of the financial gain. I feel that some of the new products lack in taste and substance. I don’t try a lot of the new brands because I don’t trust them.
My family just started trying a plant based diet last week. So far, it’s going great and we haven’t had too many issues. We feel great! The only hiccup is when we didn’t realize there was dairy or egg in something. But if it keeps being this easy and tasty, it just may stick for life! I never, in my wildest dreams, thought I would consider going vegan! 😂 But here I am!
I eat plant based foods! 14 years ago I got bit by a “Lone Star Tick!” It gave me (Alpha Gal Disease!) no longer can I eat Pork, Beef, Lamb, Butter, Cheese or Milk! If a product has any one of those ingredients or is cooked with one of them, I end up either using my Epi Pen or go to the emergency room! My favorite is the impossible burger & the Beyond burger.
We have concentrated on plant based foods (no animal origin) since 2019. The products available have gotten better (or in some cases worse).
It seems that where the company employees actually eat the foods the produce, in stead of animal origin foods, that the quality and taste are much better.
Our last two annual blood tests and physicals have improved to the point that the long list our doctors come up with for 70+ year old seniors are well within the ranges required by the insurance company and the CDC.
Not only that, but animal origin products are getting much more expensive – plant based, not so much.
Grocery employees are starting to get used to plant based foods and are now ordering them to stock their shelves.
My husband and I have been on what I call a vegan on steroids diet. We follow a Whole Foods Plant Based diet, SOS free ( no salt, oil, or sugar added). We are both off all medication and lost 200 pounds between us. ( I lost 150, he lost 50)
I drink oat milk (vanilla or plain & chocolate). I love all of them!
I also eat veggie burgers (Boca is my favorite, but I’ve enjoyed several other brands also!).
I just got home from a grocery where I bought plant based protein and am going to get some more dairy free cheese this week as well.
We are eating more plant based products
I do eat plant based foods as I am a vegetarian. Although, I don’t eat them daily there are many more alternatives that are healthier than plant based foods, just because it isn’t flesh of an animal doesn’t mean its healthier. I guess its what Impossible and beyond burger wants everyone to believe. I do like both the Impossible burger and Beyond burger.
I mainly purchase all plant based foods, I’ve been a vegetarian for 8 years and purchase no meat products for me or my children. I love seeing all the new options available these days!
I buy plant based food all the time, I’m 100% Vegan.
I’m not a vegetarian but if I see a recommendation fro you guys and it’s so my store. I’ll buy it and try it
Plant based proteins are great for improving your health. Thanks for the spotlight on them.
I’ve been eating and buying plant based for years. It’s a relief to see the mainstream food industry FINALLY recognizing consumers such as myself I hope to see more AND healthier plant based options. Plant based needs to be other things as well…low sugar, low sodium, less processing, responsible packaging.
I have been gluten free for 6 years and went whole food, plant based in 2018 including all my vitamins and supplements. I do not eat alternative meat. And more importantly I choose organic. I also choose food over medicine in most cases which usually results in changing doctors a lot because they push prescription when diet and lifestyles does more good for you.
I have been eating a whole foods plant based diet for over a year. This excludes most of the plant based foods that are essentially processed foods. This way of eating concentrates on fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains. There are many benefits and it doesn’t have to be difficult but requires planning. A study recently published in the British Medical Journal has linked this type of diet showed improved resistance to moderate or severe Covid-19.
I switched to a vegan lifestyle 4 years ago. Plant-based products are a staple at my house as well as fresh produce. I use meat and cheese replacement products more as treats as I try to use more whole foods. We use about 3+ cartons of oat milk per week. Generally about 3 cartons per week.
I’m now vegan 🌱 . I only eat plant-based everything. Unfortunately my husband refuses to join me…he doesn’t get it yet. We argue about what he buys vs what I buy. It’s a battle for sure. We don’t go out to eat anymore because he can’t live without eating the corpses of tortured animals and I can’t watch him eating. 😢 His health would improve so much -as has mine – if he would try it.
Regarding popcorn favorites, I enjoy hulless (which is actually “small hulled”) popcorn. It pops complete without hard seeds residues do is recommend by my Dr. as I have diverticulitis and no longer have I’ll affects in system. Plus it pops large, tender, and tastes great! I think a significant number of people suffer from this physical health problem and do not want to give up this delicacy. Tastes particularly better when a small amount of real organic butter and a slight amount of salt is added. YUMMY!!