By Allie Arnell and Joy Nemerson
What could be better than plant-based protein? How about plant-based protein made from upcycled foods? The Upcycled CertifiedTM program highlights brands creating new, high-quality food products and ingredients from surplus food. Often plant-based by nature, upcycled foods are extending the plant-based food lifecycle further than ever. These plant-based products pack the punch when it comes to flavor, nutrition, and sustainability.
Milk
This Upcycled Certified™ sesame milk is made from the ultra-nutritious protein by product from sesame seeds pressed for oil production. The result is a creamy and rich, subtly sweet beverage befitting for coffee, baking, or drinking. With 8 grams of complete protein per serving and an excellent source of vitamin D and calcium, sesame milk is nutritionally comparable to dairy milk. It has 8 times the protein of most almond milks and uses 95% less water.
Cheese
Big Mountain Foods Fava Feta Vegan Cheese
Set to launch this month, Fava Feta joins a standout selection of upcycled vegan favorites from Big Mountain Foods. With 5 grams of protein per serving, the new product is a protein-rich feta cheese substitute. Free of starches, gums, and oils, this plant-based swap is definitely worth having around.
Protein Powder
Evergrain EverPro Plant Powered Protein
Spent brewer’s grain has countless upcycling applications. That’s why Anheuser-Busch created Evergrain to harness soluble barley protein in its plant-based protein powder. This Upcycled Certified™ powder delivers more than 30 grams of protein per serving while maintaining a low viscosity. With a mellow taste and a smooth texture, 9 out of 10 people prefer EverPro to other plant-based protein drinks.
Eggs
AcreMade Plant-Based Egg Substitute
This vegan-friendly and allergen-free egg substitute relies on the Upcycled CertifiedTM ingredient native pea starch from yellow field peas. This crop also improves soil health and requires minimal growing resources. AcreMade eggs are nutritionally comparable to traditional eggs, with 5 grams of protein and zero grams of cholesterol per serving. This powder mix can be used for any baking or cooking application, from cakes and cookies to scrambled eggs or frittatas.
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Meat
Meet Cajú Love—the world’s least processed and most versatile meat substitute. Its ingredients list couldn’t be simpler: organic cashew fruit. This product is simply the fruit that grows alongside the cashew nut and is usually discarded during the harvest. This fruit is a fiber rich whole food containing 2 grams of protein per serving. This product can be served like shredded chicken, seasoned for any application, and swapped into any favorite meat recipe.
There seems to be no limit to the nutritional and environmental benefits of plant-based foods. The upcycled food movement is stretching that impact even further. With protein-rich plant-based alternatives, upcycled foods are infusing real nutritional value back into our food supply. With every simple swap, Upcycled products are powering up the plant-based revolution.
