Plant-based foods have been an integral part of human diets since the beginning of civilization as the earlier humans were hunter-gatherers who lived on a diet of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
While new plant-based foods such as tofu and soy milk made inroads in the 20th century, a wide range of plant-based foods including vegan meat alternatives, dairy-free cheeses, and plant-based milks made from nuts, seeds, and grains, have become staples on many American dining tables over the first two decades of the 21st century.