Aurora Starchild
It’s hard to think about, but food’s going to change drastically in most of our lifetimes. Earth is set to warm 3 degrees Celsius by 2100. Crops such as coffee, cacao, avocados, and corn are going to severely decline. Conversely, the human population will increase by 2 billion by 2050. Humans need to alter what they eat. So, let’s see what scientists believe the dinner of the future looks like.
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Scientists unequivocally agree that humans will be eating less meat. This is largely due to the global greenhouse gases released through livestock. Instead, sources of protein and vital nutrition will likely be from:
Locusts, Grasshoppers, and Crickets
These insects, when farmed safely (without insecticides), are an excellent source of nutrition. They generally have a nutty flavor. They reproduce rapidly, require few resources, and omit virtually no pollution. Edible insects are high in protein and already are being incorporated into foods such as protein powders, chips, and bars.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner of the future definitely incorporates pond scum. Algae is a superfood, high in minerals and vitamins, and grows quickly. It even grows in polluted waters. Seaweed is also super high in vital nutrients and grows easily.
Lab-grown meat is actually meat. It’s grown from the cells of animals and doesn’t create the same kinds of pollution that livestock creates. We’re already growing meat in labs. However, anticipate your future food choices to include this more often.
You’ve probably heard of Beyond Meat, which is one version of plant-based meat. Plant-based meats are made from, well, plants. Coconut, potato, wheat, you name it. It can all be ground down, remixed, and remade in order to create something tasty and nutritious.
Yes, it sounds disgusting. But we’re already doing this. Sewage water can be made potable again through a purification process coined “toilet to tap.”
If any of this sounds hellish to you, fear not. Remember, there are people out there who are passionate about making food taste delicious. This article by Bon Appétit chronicles some interesting menu ideas put forth by science fiction writers. Warning: future food does get a little weird the further in time that we go. (Think 3-D printers and wearable or embeddable technologies that detect sodium levels).
