The World Health Organization and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that diet-related diseases like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension lead to an increased risk of severe COVID-19 infection. As the pandemic wears on, eaters are preparing more food at home and focusing on healthier meals. Cooking and recipe website traffic surged at the start of quarantine, as did curiosity for meat alternatives.

According to Nielsen data, plant-based meat saw a 264-percent increase in sales at the start of the pandemic. Whether or not this trend continues, it’s clear that consumers are becoming more interested in plant-forward eating.

A plant-forward diet focuses primarily on plants like fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, nuts, and seeds but does not eliminate animal products completely. Below are 10 common plant-forwarding eating myths.

  1. Plant-based foods cannot provide enough protein
  2. Plant-based meat alternatives are flavorless (and have no texture)
  3. Plant-based ingredient and restaurant options are limited
  4.  A plant-based meal won’t be as filling
  5. Eating a plant-forward diet is too expensive
  6. It’s difficult to eat complete proteins on a plant-forward diet
  7. Plant-forward diets are nutrient-deficient
  8. Meat alternatives are ultra-processed and unsustainable
  9. Children shouldn’t eat a plant-forward diet
  10. Plant-based products are always healthier

Read the full article about plant-forward eating by Emily Payne at Food Tank.