Plant-Based Meat

Plant based meats are typically made from a combination of plant proteins, fats, and other ingredients that essentially mimic the taste, texture, and appearance of meat. It is difficult to say the exact ingredients used in making plant based meat as they vary between various brands and products. However, some of the common ingredients used in plant based meat include:
· Vegetable oils: vegetable oils such as coconut oil sunflower oil, and canola oil are often used to provide plant based meat with moisture and fat.
· Legumes such as lentils, soybeans, and peas to mention a few are often used as a source of protein in plant based meat.
· Wheat and other grains are used to provide structure and texture to plant based meat.
· Flavorings and seasonings: plant based meats may be flavored and seasoned using herbs, spices, and other natural or artificial flavorings to enhance their taste and aroma.
Plant based meat is often touted as a healthier and more sustainable alternative to conventional meat owing to the fact that they contain less saturated fat and cholesterol and also requires less land and water to produce compared to animal-based meats.

The following are the key ingredients in plant-based meat.
Proteins: Plant-based meat may contain proteins derived from peas, beans, brown rice, soya, or other sources.
Coloring: Natural pigments from vegetable extracts such as beets are used to give plant-based meat a red color similar to beef.
Flavor: Some natural flavors can be used to give plant-based products a meat-like flavor. For example, yeast extracts can be used.
Nutrients: Some plant-based product recipes contain vegetables, nuts, and seeds, as well as vitamins, and minerals. Others have added nutrients such as vitamin B12, iron, and zinc, naturally found in animal food sources.
Fats: Some plant-based products have natural healthy fats which resemble the fat content of meat. Examples include sunflower oil, coconut oil, and many others.

Plant-based meat has several health benefits as it is low in saturated fats, it is high in protein, it is rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. More benefits of plant based meat include:
Low in cholesterol: Plant-based meat has low cholesterol because there are no animal fats. This helps to reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity, and other health problems.
Numerous options are available: Plant-based meat is a great alternative for people who would want to eliminate meat intake or reduce meat intake.
Taste and texture: For meat lovers who wish to enjoy the flavor and texture of eating meat without actually consuming animal products, plant-based meat is a good alternative because it is created to resemble the taste and texture of meat.