Healthy Alternatives to Meat You Can Try!

With a lot of people now considering reducing their consumption of animal-based products, we rounded up some meat-free options which are a tasty, healthier alternative to meat.

It was an impulsive to give up on consuming meat decision that was many years in the making. You see, for the life of most people, they talked about wanting to commit into becoming vegetarian but they loved meat too much that it seems impossible for them to let go. It was what they had in every meal every day. But recently there has been films about the animals being mistreated in farms that became the meat on their plates and they never ate another bite of any meat. That doesn’t mean, however, that they stopped loving the taste of meat or that they don't miss it because in the end it's hard to say goodbye. And that my friends, is where vegan versions of all my favorite meaty dishes come into play. Because if you can have all dishes you love in a cruel-free way, why not? There are many vegan products out there.

There are many veggie-centric dishes out there too but when you get cravings for something meaty, you can always turn to vegan meat for delicious meaty meat-free dishes. There are lots of packaged vegan meats and meat substitutes you can get in the market but this guide is about consuming less processed foods to substitute for meat. It is completely possible to make the change from being a carnivore to a satisfied, happy herbivore... I mean vegan. So let's not waste time and bring in the ultimate guide to vegan meats and meat substitutes.



Legumes & Beans

Legumes – which includes beans, peas and lentils – are one of the most nutritious foods available, and a popular option with vegetarians and vegans. They have lower fat and cholesterol count than compared to meat, as well as having a lot fibre and minerals such as folate, potassium, iron and magnesium. In fact, they are also easy to cook with, and suitable to be used as the basis in most healthy vegan salads, in meat-free soups and casseroles and stews, and of course, in a classic vegetarian chilli stew instead of minced meat.



Portobello mushrooms

Skip unhealthy hamburger patties and have a portobello mushroom instead for a equally delicious vegan meal burger-and-fries meal. The thick, meaty mushroom makes a good non-processed substitute to red meat. According to the research, portobello mushrooms has around only 30 calories and no fat or cholesterol, compared to a 3- ounce burger which has 235 calories, 16 grams of fat and 76 milligrams of cholesterol. The mushrooms are also high in vitamin D including a variety of minerals.



Quinoa

Unlike red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, cheese and yoghurt, very few plant-based proteins contain all the nine essential amino acids that we need to consume regularly (as they cannot be produced by the body). However, if you’re on a vegan diet, have quinoa instead, one of the only 100% plant-based complete sources of protein. Although it doesn’t resemble or mimic the texture of meat, it works fairly well as a salad base to replace other usual protein-packed ingredients, such as chicken or eggs. Or have quinoa as a side dish in substitute of carbs such as rice.



Tempeh

Although definitely not as popular as tofu, tempeh is growing in popularity. Originated from Indonesia, tempeh is made from a mix of fermented soya beans compressed together to form a block. The fact that it needs to be sliced up to be served and can also be marinated or grilled like meat might make tempeh the easiest way for omnivores to fade into a vegan diet, at least in the beginning of course. It is also goes well with spices like meat, and can be added to curries and stews to get your source of plant-based protein.



Jackfruit Basically most fruits will be like an unusual choice for an alternative to meat. Jackfruit however, is one of the latest trends for people to experiment with vegan options. Yes, I said a fruit. A healthy tropical fruit, jackfruit may be, its texture and mild taste actually makes it a wonderful stand-in for meat. If you prefer your jackfruit to be chewier, just roast them on a baking sheet for just a few minutes.

Thanks to its texture, it makes a good option for those who still crave a pulled pork sandwich. Although not as high in protein as some other meat-free options, and containing more carbs, jackfruit is high in fibre, vitamins and minerals, making it a healthy choice for vegans.



Seitan

If you don't have any issues with gluten, then check out seitan for the most meat-like texture. Seitan is basically processed wheat gluten and seitan is a great source of protein. Depending on how you serve and flavor it, seitan can be similar to chicken, beef, or pork. Having a dense, chewy texture, seitan can be held up to grilling, frying, braising, or anything else you want to serve with it. You can get seitan in stores, but don’t be intimidated as it is not as hard to make seitan as you might think.



Textured Vegetable Protein

TVP or texturized vegetable protein is an inexpensive, easy to use ingredient. They are actually dehydrated soy, and once you rehydrate it, you can serve just about anything with it. TVP comes in granules or chunks so you can use it for ground beef dishes, to make cutlets, or delicious burgers and meatloaves. They can also listed sometimes as TSP or texturized soy protein.



Lentils Lentils on the other hand have always been a substitute for meat since the beginning of veganism. Lentils are also hearty and can definitely substitute ground beef easily. And they also come in a variety of colors such as green, red, brown, and black if you want your dishes to look pretty. Lentils cook up fast, are inexpensive, and having a small amount goes a long way.



Quorn



Quorn is another suitable alternative protein source to meat and they are high in fibre which has been linked to helping people to maintain a healthy gut microbiome. It is also low in saturated fat and is incredibly versatile with mince options, sausages, burger and meat style pieces. However they still contain traces of eggs that vegans may not be able to consume.

Quorn is made from mycoprotein which is produced by adding oxygen, nitrogen, glucose and minerals to a fungus called Fusarium venenatum.



Other Foods

There are other foods that can help to replace meat with includes eggplant, cauliflower, potatoes, beets and coconut. Eggplants has a rich, meaty taste and they are very versatile. If you think you’re not a fan of eggplant, there are many recipes out there online including the other meat substitutes. Cauliflower is also highly underrated even served as a vegetable dish but amazingly, they can also stand-in for meat.

Beets are nature’s candy. They are sweet and delicious and perfect for salads, but they have another side to them. Beets also have the same earthy taste and they work well in savory dishes that usually have meat. Amaze your party guests with a beautiful platter of Beet Carpaccio and then treat them to Roasted Beet Burgers with Cumin-Scented Ketchup.

Thus it is totally possible for meat-lovers or carnivores to have satisfying, meaty foods without giving up their healthy, compassionate plant-based diet. And when you get someone to inevitably ask you why you went vegan although you would want to have meaty foods, tell them that because you can be both compassionate and satisfied at the same time in your vegan diet and that in the end is a win-win.