PROCESSED VEGGIE FOOD ISN’T MUCH GOOD

IF YOU have been eating vegetarian substitutes as part of a new dietary regime, you might want to look more closely at what you are eating.

A new research report by Safefood has found that one in four processed vegetarian meat-substitute products like vegetable burgers, sausages and mince are not high in protein and in fact are not a source of protein at all.

The research also found that among those who purchase these products, one in three (34%) did so because they perceived them to be ‘healthy/better for you.’ The research looked at the nutritional content of 354 plant-based meat-substitute products on sale in supermarkets across the island of Ireland. These products included plant-based alternatives such as mince, burgers and sausages, which are positioned in a category of foods that provide protein such as meat, poultry, eggs, fish, nuts and beans.

Dr Catherine Conlon, Director of Human Health and Nutrition with Safefood said: ‘Judging by the number of plant-based meat substitute products now available, there’s clearly a market for these as alternatives to meats, such as beef or chicken.

‘From meat-substitute burgers to sausages and mince, 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.

‘However, one in four of the products we surveyed were not an adequate source of protein.

‘When we asked people about these 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.’

Dr Conlon advises people to check the label carefully when buying meat substitutes.

‘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. Our website safefood.net has lots of meatfree recipes that you can try.’