Author: Plant | Plant-Based Foods

Health Benefits Better Cardiovascular Health: A plant-based diet supports cardiovascular health by reducing intake of saturated fats and cholesterol. This can reduce the risk of heart disease. Better Weight Management: A plant-based diet can facilitate weight control. It is usually low in calories and high in fiber, which increases feelings of satiety. Reducing Cancer Risk: Due to their high content of antioxidants and phytochemicals, plant-based diets may be protective against some types of cancer. Diabetes Control: A plant-based diet may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and help manage existing diabetes. Environmental Impacts Plant-based diets also have positive impacts on the environment: Lower Carbon Footprint:...

Plant-based foods are foods derived from plants and do not contain animal products. Such foods are usually consumed by vegans and vegetarians, but can be included by anyone as part of a healthy eating plan. Fruits and Vegetables: Fruits and vegetables form the basis of a plant-based diet. All kinds of fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. Legumes: Legumes are foods derived from plants such as beans, lentils, chickpeas and peas. These foods are rich in protein, fiber and folic acid. Grains: Whole grains are preferred over refined grains made from white flour. Whole grains such as wheat, barley, rye, oats and rice are rich in fiber and complex carbohydrates.

Why are more consumers buying more plant-based foods than ever before, regardless of dietary preferences? The EIT (European Union Institute for Innovation and Technology) has conducted research into the reasons why plant-based foods are preferred. 1) Health reasons: Concerns such as allergies, aesthetic motives (e.g. weight loss) and nutrition-related health issues encourage individuals to seek alternative diets to traditional animal products. 2) Sustainability and animal welfare: Widely available data and insights on animal welfare and more information on the impact of animal products on the environment and climate change are leading consumers to make more ethical choices. 3) Curiosity An interest in diversity and beyond the known.

In order to share BİTKİDEN Association's roadmap, the process of transition to plant-based foods, developments in Turkey and the world, and future trends, we came together with members of the press and influencers hosted by our Chairman of the Board of Directors Ebru Akdağ and hosted by EAPF (European Association of Plant-Based Foods) Secretary General Siska Pottie. After our meeting moderated by Ece Vahapoğlu, we prepared delicious recipes with the contributions of Chef Yasin Taze under the leadership of Elvan Odabaşı, Nutrition and Healthy Living Expert and with the contributions of Chef Yasin Taze. This event, where the participants had a pleasant time, left an unforgettable impression by opening new horizons in nutrition and healthy living beyond discovering the delicious world of plant-based foods.

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On September 29, 2023, we held our industry discussion titled "Myths on Our Table," which was broadcast live on our Chamber's YouTube channel. The discussion was moderated by Funda Uyar Özpınar, our Chamber's Board Secretary, and featured Ebru Akdağ, our Chamber's Istanbul Branch Board Member and Food Engineer, as the speaker.

We shop for food almost every day, but how many of us read the packaging of the products we buy? The products we put in the basket may have incorrect weights and expiry dates. Moreover, many foods sold uncontrolled in the open may not contain the ingredients they claim to contain. For this reason, it is very important to read the label information of the products. So what does what is written on the label mean? What should we pay attention to while shopping? We talked with Food Engineer Ebru Akdağ. Although the level of awareness about the contents of ready-to-eat foods has been increasing in recent years, it is still not at the desired level. Although there are conscious consumers who want to know what the food they eat and drink contains and want to eat a healthy and balanced diet accordingly, there are also those who buy foods without looking at their content.

Ebru Akdağ, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of BİTKİDEN Association, moderated the panel "Herbal Food Industry Forum and Youth Forum" organized by the International Plant-Based Foods Working Group, and drew attention to the importance of young people in the sustainable nutrition journey. "In a world facing complex challenges such as climate change, food insecurity and the urgent need for sustainable practices, we believe that our youth carry the torch for innovation and action," said Akdağ. The conference "The Role of Plant-Based Foods in the Transition Towards Sustainable Food Systems" organized by the International Plant-Based Foods Working Group (IPBWG) in Brussels, Belgium, was held with an intense participation. Plant Based Foods Association (BİTKİDEN), one of the members of IPBWG, also participated in the conference organized as a hybrid...

In the research report published by EIT Food (European Institute for Innovation and Technology), the data was collected in the Citizen Participation Forum, an online community of around 300 members from 17 European countries, with 89 generally knowledgeable members willing to talk about food. The aim of the study was to gain a deeper insight into consumer awareness and perception of ultra-processed foods (UPF), to find out how healthy and sustainable they perceive UPF to be, under what conditions they consume them, whether they are satisfied with their level of consumption or would like to reduce it. Definition of UPF According to the NOVA classification, the UPF category is defined as "mostly products of special industrial use, most of which are made through a series of industrial processes requiring complex equipment and technology...