Meatless meat: pros and cons of vegan alternatives

More and more people are trying a plant-based diet, but not everyone is able to give up certain foods completely. Many people can’t imagine dinner without their favorite steak or lasagna. That’s when vegan alternatives to meat come to the rescue. But are they really as healthy as they seem?

somnologist

Talks about the pros and cons of vegan meat.

We will discuss not only those products that are called “vegan meat”, but also different variations: vegan mince, cutlets, etc. Most often the basis of such products is soy protein, less often – wheat protein and pea protein isolate, there are also variants on wheat and corn flour. Also, various types of fiber from cereals and vegetables, vegetable oils and seeds are added to the composition.

What is vegan meat good for?

First of all, the fiber and amino acids it contains. Dietary fiber stimulates intestinal motility and activates digestive enzymes, which are necessary to maintain a “friendly” microflora in the intestines. Fiber is indicated for people with type 2 diabetes, as it lowers the rate of carbohydrate absorption and protects the body from blood glucose spikes.

Amino acids are involved in the synthesis of hormones, vitamins, pigments and form the basis of proteins. A number of amino acids the body is able to get only from food. The main difference between vegan meat and conventional meat is that there are no analogs in the plant world that contain all these amino acids at once. Therefore, vegans need to combine several plant-based foods in one meal.

Can vegan meat help with weight loss?

Fiber removes toxins and toxins from the body, reduces the concentration of harmful fats, due to which the load on the liver is reduced. Metabolic processes in the body begin to run faster, which contributes to weight loss.

But in reality, everything is somewhat different. Unfortunately, manufacturers add sugar and sugar substitutes to vegetable meat, not the most useful in the balance of omega-3 and omega-6 oils, wheat and corn flour. These contribute neither to wellness nor weight loss.

Who should try vegan meat?

The environment surrounding modern man is very toxic and unecological. Therefore, it is recommended that everyone perform a detox from time to time. It includes the exclusion of meat and meat products from the diet. This is where vegan meat comes to the rescue, but on the condition that it itself will not be a source of toxic substances.

For example, in Gilbert’s syndrome, it is recommended to carry out a liver detox 3-4 times a year.

Who should not abuse vegan meat?

I have already mentioned that most often vegan meat is made from soy, which is considered the champion in estrogen content among plants. There are 100,000 mcg of estrogen per 100g of product. Phytoestrogens (i.e. natural) are considered less harmful than artificial ones. But their metabolism requires healthy digestion, liver and intestinal microflora. And that’s something not everyone can boast of.

Studies suggest that when natural estrogens interact with herbicides, which are used in the cultivation of soybeans, their effect is multiplied.

In general, soy meat should not be abused. Because excessive amounts of soy in the diet can disrupt the balance of estrogen and progesterone in the body, which is fraught with infertility, miscarriages, osteoporosis, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, cervical dysplasia, autoimmune diseases, breast, uterine and ovarian cancer.

Can vegan meat completely replace conventional meat?

If you manage to find a conscientious manufacturer that produces a quality and balanced product, then yes. But I haven’t found one.

The main problem is that plant-based meat is another refined, that is, processed product, just like chips, crackers and other analog “junk food”.

It’s rarely okay to include vegan meat in your diet for a change. But I recommend cooking something delicious with quality plant foods and enjoying the taste and the knowledge that you are eating healthy food that your body needs to function well. And it doesn’t matter if it’s meat, stew, or salad.