8 Tofu Health Benefits You Should Know Karen Ansel, MS, RDN Replay Video Tofu is trending Maybe it's our obsession with plant-based protein. Or maybe it's the allure of food that's quick, healthy, and convenient. But tofu is having a moment. In the first half of 2020, tofu sales skyrocketed by 40 percent. And the trend shows no signs of slowing down, according to a market analysis published in 2019 by Grand View Research "Tofu is a fabulous plant protein option for everyone," says Desiree Nielsen, RD, author of . "It's seriously underrated because it's up against new 'meatier' plant-based options such as Beyond Beef." These new meat substitutes come with a surprising amount of saturated fat and salt, she says. So tofu is a less-processed, healthier alternative.