Are Plant-Based Vegan Meat Alternatives Healthier Than Real Meat?

People choose to go vegan for a variety of reasons. Some people adopt veganism for some ethical reasons or personal believes and some decide not to eat meat for health reasons. Whatever the reason would be but is plant-based meat alternatives really as healthy as it sounds?

Plant-based meat products can be a healthy alternative to the original meat but it depends on various aspects like which substitute product is used, its preparation process, and the meat from which we are comparing. For instance, eating vegan meat alternatives that are high in sugar, salt and carbs are no better than real meat. On the other hand, selecting a plant-based food alternative is a good option than eating a lot of salty processed meat. Thus it is vital to know which meat substitute one should choose to fulfill the majority of nutrients a person needs.

So let’s find out some healthful food and products that substitute meat either in texture, flavor, or added nutrients.

Tofu:

Tofu is one of the best vegan meat substitutes used in most Asian cousins. It is manufactured by processing condensed soy milk in a similar way cheese is processed from dairy milk. Tofu is a versatile food that is a rich source of vegan protein, and essential amino acids and has a very mild flavour making it the perfect ingredient for fake meat. Some people use it for preparing vegan nuggets to add into hot dishes like soups and stir-fries.

Tempeh:

Tempeh is a traditional Indonesian soy-based food product. Yes, it is also a soy-based meat alternative but it is different from tofu. Unlike tofu, tempeh is made from the whole soybean using a kind of fermentation process. Some tempeh products also contain a blend of other beans and grains. As tempeh is made from whole soybeans it more fiber and protein than tofu and has more gut-friendly prebiotics and probiotics due to fermentation. However, its versatility is not as good as tofu because of its stronger flavour. People across the world stir-fry tempeh and use it as vegan bacon to add to salads or prepare vegan BLT.

Seitan:

Seitan is vital wheat gluten is one of the popular ingredients used as fake meat products. Seitan is made by filtering the starch from the wheat, typically by rinsing with water. The process makes it more protein-dense food having a texture similar to the chicken with a mild taste.

TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein):

TVP or Textured Vegetable Protein is a byproduct of soybean oil extraction having a curd-like structure. It is a protein-rich plant-based food ingredient manufactured by separating soybean protein from fat using a high heat process. TVP’s are available in dehydrated form so it needs to be soaked in hot water for cooking. It is a good replacement for ground meat as it textures similarly when cooked.

Plant-Based Protein-Rich Foods:

Plant based food like beans, chickpeas, mushrooms, etc is a great addition to meat alternatives as they have high protein content and have a rich meaty texture. Many fake meat manufacturers also include this type of food product as their main ingredients. Food like mushrooms and beans are the right alternative to cut down calories while dieting as they have value-added nutrients that make you feel fuller for long and they are also pocket friendly as plant-based food often costs less than meat.

Wrapping Up:

Meat substitutes are the new and healthy trend for enjoying the savoury taste of meat products without eating meat. This is a healthy and tasty option of getting protein for vegans and for those who are looking to cut down meat for health reasons. However, there are only a few plant-based foods that contain all the essential nutrients needed by a healthy body. Thus it is necessary to try to add a variety of plant based recipes to your diet in order to get all essential nutrients.