Calling all veggie lovers! You may have already hopped on the cauli-crust pizza train or dabbled with cauli-fried rice, but this vegetable is coming to replace more than these delicious foods. You’ll begin to notice how familiar frozen food brands such as Birds Eye and Green are now expanding to produce more versatile cauliflower based foods. The gluten-free, plant-based and low carb veggie lends as a perfect substitute to starchy white flour.
Low-glycemic and Protein-Rich
Functional medic, Mark Hyman, explains how cauliflower-subbed foods are “a great option for people who are pre-diabetic, diabetic or who want to avoid high-glycemic foods. They still get to have pizzas, breads and rice without spiking their blood sugar.” The vegetable is also rich in protein at only 25 calories with 2 g of protein in every 100 g serving. It contains Vitamin C, Vitamin K and has been shown to lower blood pressure and increase HDL cholesterol. Cauliflower is also high in choline, a nutrient that helps with gastrointestinal health, as well as Indole-3-carbinol, which helps aid the liver in detox functions.
America loves it!
According to Nielsen, a leading global information and measurement company, sales for packaged cauliflower products grew by roughly 70% last year. Brands specific to cauliflower products, such as Caulipower Cauilflower Pizza, have already been launched throughout 15,000 different stores nation-wide. Green Giant now makes pizza crust, various flavored cauliflower rice, cauliflower mashed potatoes and even cauliflower-tots! Kraft, America’s favorite mac-and-cheese brand, is even coming out with a cauliflower-based mac-and-cheese!
Cauliflower’s bright future
Big things are happening to this “rock-star” veggie in 2019. Food analysts predict it to move past the freezer section and into the chip and cracker aisle. The texture ground cauliflower provides allows for it to be used in a variety of cracker, crisps and pretzels. From the Ground Up, Cali’flour Foods and Vegan Rob are brands that have all explored using cauliflower as a substitute for generic flour. You won’t want to miss out on this up and coming trend!
Written by GUADS Intern Lindsey with help from wellandgood.com
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