An employee slices vegan meat alternatives on opening day at Rudy's Vegan Butcher on November 1, 2020 in London, England.
As more and more people get conscious of their diet and more people dive into plant-based diet trends, companies make a way to cater to their needs while earning money. Meat Substitutes from plants are now available in the market, lessening the guilt for dieters who undergo this trend. But did you know that the pros and cons of meat substitutes exist?
Being a vegan may be quite a pain during its early times in the limelight, but according to Better Homes and Gardens, the number of plant-based products in the market presently is higher than before. They add options like plant-based cheeses that also melt and eat yogurt without an ounce of dairy.
But the emergence of plant-based meat substitutes would make people think that they healthier and a better option for the actual meat products without realizing that this food has its limitations and, of course, advantages.
Read also: Going Vegan: Vegan Meatball and Noodles with Sriracha
Benefits of plant-based meat
It is not beyond everyone's knowledge that varieties of plants possess protein, usually consumed by people when they eat meat products. Integris shares that plant-based meat does not has a lower content of sodium, fat, and calories.
Yahoo! shares that one benefit of eating plant-based meat products is its environmental impact. In an interview with Better Homes and Gardens, the founder of Yale University's Prevention Research Center shares that plant-based materials have less carbon footprint than producing beef.
Before The Butcher adds that in producing plant-based meat, animal suffering is lessened, stating that consuming it will remove you from the list of people responsible for the animals' suffering.
When health is taken into account, Better Homes and Gardens references a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition demonstrating that participants who switched from animal to plant-based meat products have a lower level of TMAO (a risk factor for cardiovascular disease) and a lower LDL cholesterol.
The Butcher also notes that this product promotes weight loss and increases the potassium level in the body.
Disadvantages of plant-based meat
In actuality, plant-based meat is not perfect, like what you think. Integris reports that food companies opt for using tofu and rice as fillers. Instead, they developed a substance called heme. They add that if you look closely at the ingredients, many plant-based products contain chemical compounds.
Yahoo! adds that the process of making these products removes nutrients like significant amounts of vitamins, fibers, polyphenols, monounsaturated fats, and minerals.
Furthermore, Better Homes and Gardens shares that some plant-based meat products contain added sugars and artificial coloring, and even controversial additives, which are bulking agents.
Are plant-based meat substitutes healthy?
Basing on the facts and shreds of evidence, it is safe to say that these products are both healthy and somehow not in some ways. In an interview with Cleveland Clinic, registered dietitian Camille Skoda, RDN, LD, shares that the dietary needs shall be taken into account before getting meatless products.
They also recommend that substituting whole foods like tofu, tempeh made from whole soybeans, and beans and lentils, will be a great option instead of meat.
The bottom line is every food has pros and cons, like plant-based meat substitutes. The key is to take them in moderation and focus more on foods with whole proteins and nutrients to suffice the body's needs.
Related article: Unpopular Myths About Vegan Lifestyle
WATCH: Are Plant-based Meat Subsitutes Healthy For Us? from Diet Doctor
