Plant-based meat alternatives have become all the rage, especially for folks trying to live healthier or reduce their carbon footprint.
In Australia alone, sales are expected to hit nearly A$3 billion by 2030. But do these meat alternatives really live up to the health hype? A recent study says “yes and no.”
What Does the Study Reveal?
Researchers from the George Institute used data to compare the healthiness of plant-based meat products and their real meat counterparts available in Australian supermarkets.
They looked at popular items like burgers, meatballs, and sausages. The good news is that plant-based meats generally had less bad fat and salt and even had more fiber. Also, their calorie content was a bit lower than real meat.
However, it’s not all rosy. The study found that most plant-based meats lacked essential nutrients like iron, vitamin B12, and zinc, which are naturally found in real meat.
Only 12% of the plant-based meat products analyzed had these key nutrients added to them.
Why Should You Care?
This is a big deal because these nutrients are super important for your health. For instance, vitamin B12 is crucial for making red blood cells, and iron helps carry oxygen through your body.
So, while plant-based meats may be lower in bad stuff like salt and fat, relying solely on them could mean you’re missing out on other important things your body needs.
According to Dr. Daisy Coyle from the George Institute, simply replacing all your meat with plant-based alternatives could lead to deficiencies in these crucial nutrients over time.
She suggests balancing your diet with other sources of these nutrients like eggs, cheese, milk, and yogurt if you’re not vegan.
For plant-based eaters, she recommends dark leafy veggies like spinach and broccoli, along with tofu, nuts, seeds, beans, and legumes.
So, what’s the takeaway? While plant-based meats are a good alternative if you’re looking to cut down on saturated fats and sodium, they shouldn’t be your only source of protein.
You need to think about a balanced diet that also includes other nutrient-rich foods. And if you’re not vegetarian or vegan, mixing in some unprocessed lean meats and seafood could also be a healthy choice.
The study suggests that while plant-based meats are a step in the right direction, they aren’t a magic bullet for health.
Before making them a regular part of your diet, it’s essential to consider other sources for essential nutrients. This way, you can enjoy the benefits of plant-based meats while also keeping your body properly nourished.
If you care about nutrition, please read studies about how the Mediterranean diet could protect your brain health, and the best time to take vitamins to prevent heart disease.
For more information about nutrition, please see recent studies about plant nutrient that could help reduce high blood pressure, and these antioxidants could help reduce dementia risk.
The study was published in Nutrition & Dietetics.
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