MEATLESS Monday and Tofu Tuesday are terms which most people are now familiar with.
With an increased focus on health due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the switch to healthy eating and reduced consumption of meat is now the choice of more consumers.
Most people today are moving towards a flexitarian diet because they are conscious about both the planet and their health, says A. Clouet Co. KL Sdn Bhd marketing manager Teoh Wei Ling.
This trend, she explains, can be observed in the rise of establishments and cafes that provide plant-based alternatives or options in their menus and concepts.
The company is the sole distributor of Yumeat in Malaysia. Yumeat offers plant-based luncheon and minced meat to those looking to make their meals more varied and healthy.
Generation Z and millennials are most likely to adopt a plant-based diet, adds Teoh.
This is largely due to their belief in environmental sustainability, that plant-based meals and plant-based meat alternatives offer both environmental and health benefits.
SHIFTING HABITS
These two generations have been brought up in a society that advocates sustainability, hence they are generally more environmentally conscious than previous generations.
They may also influence their parents and older people around them to start adopting plant-based meals in their diet.
"Plant-based meals bring a lot of benefits to both the environment and our health. We are also seeing millennial parents who are exposing their children to plant-based diets at a young age," says Teoh.
When it comes to adopting a vegetarian diet, most people give in to the myth that a solely plant-based diet will not offer enough protein compared with consuming meat and vegetables.
Teoh says a person can get as much protein from plant-based meals as meat-focused ones.
For instance, many plant-based foods, such as lentils, tofu, tempeh and chickpeas, are considered to be rich in protein.
In addition, plant-based meals come with a lot of other health benefits, even to the point of being low in fat.
PLANT VERSUS MEAT
Whether it is choosing to have one plant-based meal a day like a flexitarian, or going entirely vegan, Malaysians should be open to the idea of plant-based eating to improve overall health, not forgetting the environmental benefits that come with it.
Teoh says a recent study evaluated the nutritional quality of 37 plant-based mince products available in the United States. Researchers wanted to find out if plant-based minced meat could supply essential nutrients, such as protein, zinc, and vitamin B12, in levels comparable to beef.
The study concluded that plant-based mince products have both nutritional strengths as well as some shortcomings.
For example, most plant-based meat products contain less vitamin B12 than ground beef.
Teoh says it is important that consumers understand and be educated on the food they are consuming.
"It is a good habit to know the nutritional benefits of the food that you are eating by studying the ingredient list."
She adds that with plant-based meat, vegetarians get a chance to discover nutritional benefits other than the typical ones offered by vegetables, and can be more creative with their meals.
As for non-vegetarians who find it hard to give up their love for meat, they can enjoy the additional benefits offered by plant-based meat, such as reduced cholesterol.
WHY MEATLESS?
PLANT-based diets offer multiple benefits for health and well-being. They include:
Better weight management
Those who consume a mainly plant-based diet tend to have lower body mass index (BMI). The high fibre content and water in fruits and vegetables also keep us feeling full for a longer time, so we are less likely to feel hungry and start snacking.
Lower risk of heart disease
It's a well-known fact that consuming red meat frequently or in large amounts is not healthy for the heart.
A 2019 study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association showed that middle-aged adults eating diets high in plant-based foods and low in animal products have a lower risk of heart disease.
Reduces risk of diabetes
A 2016 study published in PLoS Medicine found that a plant-based diet consisting of good quality plant foods could lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 34 per cent.
Lower cancer risk
Plant-based diets usually encompass a wide range of foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains and legumes, all of which are packed with nutrients.
Research does indicate that such diets are linked to lower incidence of cancer. One possible reason could be that plants produce phytochemicals that protect cells from damage.
Sources: www.medicalnewstoday.com, www.everydayhealth.com and www.mayoclinic.org
ALMOST LIKE MEAT
YUMEAT, which is made of soy and wheat, comes in two variants - luncheon and minced meat.
Teoh says the luncheon meat contains seven times more fibre, 23 per cent less sodium, and 53 per cent less fat than the average meat alternative.
Both versions can also be added to any meal because they can be sautéed, grilled, fried, steamed or stewed.
Due to its non-frozen, hassle-free nature, this plant-based meat can also be prepared anytime, anywhere, as it is ready-to-use and does not require thawing compared to most plant-based products in the market.
Yumeat is also halal certified. For more information, go to www.yumeat.com.
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