Busting 4 Most Common Myths About Plant-Based Meat

Plant-based meats have been around for a while, but they’ve just started catching the fancy of the Indian populace. Information around plant-based meat, though, is still a bit hard to come by. Plant-based products are far easier to digest and absorb, have better nutritional value, enhanced taste & texture, and they definitely have no negative impact on the environment. 

On the back of cutting-edge food science, modern-age food tech companies encourage conscious consumerism by producing superior quality plant-based meat products that cook, feel and taste like regular meat products. These incredibly yummy and chewy products are sustainable and can be consumed by everyone. However, a lot of disinformation is circulating around the world regarding plant-based meat, which further leads to myths and misconceptions. 

In this article, we will debunk 4 orthodox myths around plant-based meat and offer facts in return:

Misconception: plant-based meat is made for vegetarians

Fact: Plant-based meat is developed to reduce the effects of industrial-grade animal farming. Hence, it is meant for the consumers of meat. Vegetarians are not part of the problem. It is the non-vegetarian food lovers that find it challenging to give up the juicy taste of meat. For non-vegetarians who want to make a conscious effort by reducing meat consumption for health, environmental and ethical reasons, plant-based meat products will ensure that your taste buds don’t overpower your will. 

 With advanced food technology, plant-based meat substitutes are becoming equally tasty, nutritious and juicy, minus the heavy baggage of environmental issues, cholesterol and human values. 

 

Misconception: Plant-based meats are low on protein and nutrients

 Fact: People often say that only conventional meat products are integrated with high protein and nutrition. But the fact is that new-age plant-based meats are specially produced to cater to the needs of non-vegetarian foodies. In addition, advanced food technology has made it possible for companies to extract the best-in-class nutrition from pulses, vegetables and other vegetarian ingredients while keeping the mouth-watering taste of meat as it is. 

 As a result, today, plant-based meat products have almost the same amount of protein and fibre components as conventional meat items, if not more. In fact, now these products come with incorporated Vitamin B12 for better absorption. The best part is that these alternatives have zero to bare minimum cholesterol and far less sodium than animal-based meat products, making them healthier and easier to digest. 

 

Misconception: Plant-based meats are just soy made with chemicals

Fact: The idea behind promoting plant-based meat products is to encourage an organic and greener healthy diet, so adding chemicals in products makes no sense. Ultra-modern food tech companies leverage tools backed by evolving science to use low moisture extrusion to extract protein from handpicked ingredients such as soy, peas, fava beans, lentils and pulses. 

 After that, this protein is texturised to make it feel, taste and look like a traditional meat product. Moreover, it is not chemicals but modern-age mechanisms that use pressure to create a unique meat-like texture making the plant-based product chewy, tangy and juicy.

 

Misconception: Plant-based meats are only making beef analogues

Fact: The idea of plant-based meat originated in the American market where over-consumption of beef was getting out of hand. However, since its introduction, companies have started developing the taste and texture of plant-based meat products according to consumer demands and requirements. So, for example, if you are a chicken or mutton fan, you can purchase plant-based chicken products or plant-based mutton products available in the market. Moreover, many companies in India and abroad are looking at seafood, eggs, turkey, chicken and mutton substitutes by keeping the local palate and clientele in mind. 

Bottom Line

A WorldWatch study highlighted that close to 15 to 20 per cent of the global methane gas emissions directly result from overpopulating animals for food production. In fact, in some countries, there are so many animals raised for food purposes that their excrement percentage is 130 times higher than humans living there. If the aforementioned stats have cleared the picture of our dark future, then it’s certainly high time to contemplate your dietary choices. 

Opting for a greener lifestyle to rejuvenate our continuously degrading planet is worth a thousand times more. And, the plus point is that given the advancement in food technology, you won’t have to compromise the taste of meat while still contributing immensely towards a sustainable future. So, what’s stopping you from taking this green step? 

Some questions we get asked often:

1. So these products are for vegans and vegetarians?

We want to tempt non vegetarians to make the switch to plant-based meat so that the earth can live a little longer. But our products are for all kinds of planet-friendly foodies.

2. If we want the taste of chicken, why won't we eat actual chicken?

Ummm....because we'll end up adding to the global warming problem just to please our taste buds. The good news is there is a great alternative. It's probably a better variety of chicken than chicken for many reasons. It's packed with proteins, vitamins, not to mention it's really delicious. So, if you want to eat chicken, choose the kind that's sustainable for the planet?

3. What is Blue Tribe meat made of?

Our ingredients are simple and made from plants – without GMOs, antibiotics or synthetically produced ingredients. Our Plant-based Nuggets are made of Peas and Soya, Keema is made of Soya and Sausages are made of only Peas.