Why are Meat Alternatives Gaining Popularity?
EVAN SUNG/THE NEW YORK TIMES
Meat alternatives have rapidly gained popularity over the past few years. The sales of the foremost company in the industry, Beyond Meat, have grown 25 times since 2016.
Business magnates including Bill Gates have invested in Beyond Meat and other vegan producers, such as Impossible Meat. This has helped the companies to gain recognition and attract more customers, as well as fund their expansion.
Research suggests that producing plant-based meat substitutes is better for the environment than growing livestock. Almost half of the world’s habitable land is used for livestock agriculture, including grazing area and area for growing feed for livestock. Growing plants for meat alternatives uses much less land than growing actual meat.
Additionally, growing plants requires less water. According to the Good Food Institute, a US-based alternative protein advocacy and research group, plant-based meat substitutes use 72 to 99 per cent less water than traditional meat.
Meat alternatives have also been found to release less greenhouse gases. Livestock release methane that contributes to global warming, while producing meat substitutes emits almost no methane, and smaller amounts of greenhouse gases.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, there are more health benefits to plant-based meat substitutes. The department found that while ground beef has 6 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, Beyond Meat’s recipe has 4.4 grams of saturated fat for the same portion.
These alternatives also reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses such as salmonella, which can come from uncooked poultry. Since the meat is made of plants, it can be eaten raw, though it is not advised.
Meat alternatives do have a much higher salt content compared to traditional meats. However, the colour and texture are appealing to consumers.
Meat substitutes may have a lesser impact on the environment and may be a healthier choice, while still tasting, smelling, and even cooking the same way meat does. This makes it easy to switch to eating plant-based meat.
Other meat alternatives such as tofu and chickpeas have been around for a long time, but getting the flavour and appearance of meat without consuming it has a certain allure.