How useful is vegan meat and how much does it cost in Russia? Pros and cons of plant-based meat

With each passing year, vegetarianism and veganism are gaining ground among today’s food trends. Together with these trends, new products are appearing on the market that accomplish several tasks at the same time. Firstly, they do not contain ingredients of animal origin, and secondly, they are nutritious and tasty.

One such delicacy is plant-based meat, which has already gained popularity in the United States. Not only does it look like ordinary meat, but it is strikingly similar to it in taste. In April 2019, such a product from a well-known manufacturer appeared in Russia. First it began to be served as part of burgers in restaurants, and six months later artificial cutlets and sausages hit the windows of grocery stores. Let’s understand what are the pros and cons of vegan meat and whether it is worth its money.

Obsah

Composition. What are the advantages of plant-based meat?

Of course, the main advantage of a vegan product is the absence of animal ingredients in it. Producers are proud to say that no cow, pig or chicken was harmed in the production of their meat. At the same time, its taste is indistinguishable from ordinary meat. And we’re not exaggerating.

It is said that once in the States there was an interesting case related to a new vegan invention. Employees of the Whole Foods supermarket chain packaged artificial meat in natural meat packages. For several weeks, customers did not notice the substitution and did not complain about the quality and taste of the product.

In total, the two largest producers of plant-based meat in the world are Impossible Burger and Beyond Meat. The first company uses soy legoglobin in its production. This plant protein gives the product a meaty flavor and even the appearance of blood. The composition also includes coconut and rapeseed oil, fillers and binders: food starch, dextrose and others.

A weighty plus of such meat is a positive impact on the environment. Not everyone knows that livestock breeding is the main source of methane emissions into the atmosphere. In addition, the industry requires the cultivation of a huge amount of useful land: about 30% of the total number of lands on the planet. However, vegan production also leaves a negative ecological footprint. After all, it requires more fuel and energy.

How caloric is vegan meat?

In terms of calories, the artificial product does not differ from the natural one. In 100 grams on average contains 240-250 calories – exactly the same number of calories are counted in beef and pork. But even with the same nutritional value, the ratio of BJU in vegan meat is different. It is richer in carbohydrates and sugars and, unfortunately, does not contain healthy fats. Protein in it is almost the same.

Nevertheless, such meat is not considered carcinogenic. It has more sodium, iron, calcium, potassium, vitamin C and no cholesterol at all.

The second argument not in favor of plant-based meat is the incompletely known properties of soy legoglobin. It has the same structure as other proteins, but a different amino acid sequence. Medical professionals fear that this could lead to unintended consequences.

How much does plant-based meat cost in Russia?

Probably the most sensitive question on the topic of vegan meat. In Russia, the product is inexcusably expensive. Artificial cutlets and sausages can be found on the shelves at a price that exceeds the cost of even the most premium natural meat.

Beyond Burger cutlets are sold in a 227 gram package and cost 850 rubles. This means that for a kilogram you will pay 3740 rubles. And for a kilogram pack of the same sausages – 3790 rubles. It becomes clear why many people believe that being vegan in our country is extremely burdensome.

It is likely that plant-based meat is only just gaining popularity among Russian consumers. But there is another side of the coin. Those who have decided to become strict vegans or vegetarians, most often do not race to replace meat in flavor as plausibly as possible. They switched to a plant-based diet in order to cleanse the body, not to harm animals and the environment. This means that they can indulge in a new product, but are unlikely to include it in their daily menu.