Protein warning over vegetarian meat alternatives

Researchers have examined a wide range of meat alternative products and found that one in four is not a source of protein.

According to the government-backed research and food safety body Safefood, many Northern Ireland consumers are not aware of the lack of protein in 25% of foodstuffs made to resemble meat products, such as vegetarian burgers, sausages and mince.

The research also reveals that around one in three people who buy such products are doing so because they believe them to be “healthy” or “better for you”.

In the UK, sale of meat-free foods are forecast to exceed £1 billion by 2024.

Safefood researchers examined the nutritional content of 354 vegetarian meat substitutes found on supermarket shelves on both sides of the Irish border.

Dr Catherine Conlon of Safefood said: “Judging by the number of vegetarian meat alternative products now available, there’s clearly a market for these as plant-based alternatives. These are now popular choices for many people who want an alternative source of protein in their diet or want to eat them for ethical or environmental reasons.”

Dr Conlon added: “There are some positives to these products – some are lower in fat and saturated fat than their meat equivalents, while others are a source of fibre. But I would encourage [people] to check the label.

“The reality is that these are processed foods and a bit of a mixed bag. If you are going to eat them, read the label and look for products that are a good source of protein and lower in saturated fat, sugar and salt.

“There are lots of protein sources that you can choose from, including meat, poultry, eggs, beans, lentils, nuts, tofu and chickpeas. Our website safefood.net has lots of meat-free recipes that you can try.

“When we asked people about vegetarian meat alternative products, a third of people thought they were healthy or better for them. However, many of these plant-based products are simply highly processed foods – if you think about it, eating a sausage roll, whether that’s plant-based or meat, is still a sausage roll.”

When asked about their preferred meat alternative products, more than one in three adults (36%) said they eat vegan or vegetarian burgers, sausages, chicken or fish.

Of those who eat them, 32% say they consume them once a week or more frequently, with 8% eating them daily.

Consumer tips on vegetarian meat alternative products:

• Most meat alternative products should not be used frequently as an alternative to meat, poultry, fish, eggs, pulses and nuts.

• Meat alternative products can fit into a healthy diet but are still processed/highly processed foods and so consumption should be limited accordingly.

• Meat alternatives range in nutritional quality so consumers are advised to read labels and look for products containing good sources of protein and micronutrients when possible.

• Be aware that plant-based meat alternatives generally contain more carbohydrates than meat and less calories and so may call for adjustments when using these products to directly replace meat due to their differing nutritional profile.

• Include a variety of sources of protein in your diet – for example meat, eggs, fish, legumes, nuts, and tofu.

The full Safefood report can be downloaded here