Is Vegan Meat Healthy?
A Look Into These Plant-Based Food Options

First of all, due to various ethical and health-related reasons, more and more people started to cut meat and dairy products out of their diet.

Instead of highly processed animal meat, they are now opting for earth-friendly whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Of course, many certainly miss the flavor of beef, which might explain why vegan meat substitutes are becoming increasingly popular.

There is also a rise in awareness of the environmental damage caused by animal agriculture, such as controlled forest burning and deforestation to create fields for grazing livestock. Not only does this loss of habitat result in the loss of many animal species [1], but it is also directly responsible for the increase in global temperatures [2].

“Consider deforestation rates and the bleaching of coral reefs from increased sea temperatures. This is one more piece of evidence to add to the list, one more example of the effect we're having on the planet.”

 

- Jerrold L. Belant, the Camp Fire Conservation Fund professor at ESF

Yes, vegan meat is healthy, but they should not be eaten on a daily basis.

No doubt, meat substitutes are an excellent option for those who are just starting to transition into a vegan diet, primarily because they can mimic the taste, texture, and smell of your favorite meats.

Similar to red meat, these vegan or vegetarian meats can cause health concerns if you consume too much.

Most of us are used to eating meat with almost every meal. When transitioning into veganism, you will quickly come to realize that you won’t necessarily need to chow down on meat or even a meat substitute every time hunger kicks in.

In fact, if you want to stay as healthy as possible, you should also try and limit your intake of meat alternatives as well.

However, when compared to red meat and highly processed foods, they are still a healthier alternative.

Vegan meats are often tailor-made and contain all the nutrients you require for a healthy life. Although it is possible to learn about the nutritional value of lean meat, avoiding it altogether will ensure you are not exposing yourself to possible contaminants. Hot tip: processed meat is often found to contain various pesticides, bacteria, hormones, and diseases [3].

There is much more to going vegan than simply sparing the lives of animals from a life of misery.

Let's look at some of the other reasons why you should consider going vegan:

1. Eating meat is one of the main causes of climate change - Animal agriculture is a huge contributor to climate change, with nearly 91% of the original Amazon lost because of it [5]. The meat industry also generates more greenhouse gases than all of the other modes of transportation combined [6].
2. The meat industry has been shown to exploit its workers - There are numerous risks that the workers have to face in the meat industry, from the risk of injury and overworking to respiratory disease and PTSD.
3. Animal agriculture uses a lot of resources - The meat industry is heavy on resource use with 880 gallons of water used to produce just a single gallon of milk. Research has found that it takes 13% more fossil fuel to produce a pound of beef than a pound of soy [7].
4. Too much meat is bad for you - There are numerous health problems associated with the consumption of meat products, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and cancer [8]. Research has found that processed meat is as hazardous to your health as smoking cigarettes [9] and that people who live a vegetarian lifestyle lived an average of 3.6 years longer than those who consumed meat [10].
5. Meat is often contaminated - The USDA has discovered that 90% of defects found in chicken were the results of “visible fecal contamination” [11]. They also found that 50% of all ground chicken for sale in stores were contaminated with hints of salmonella.
6. The meat industry kills wildlife - Many wild animals are killed through pollution, climate change, and habitat loss. Also, some animals are slaughtered as they are seen as a threat to the industry.
7. Meat production contributes to world hunger - We produce enough grain to feed the world, ensuring that no one goes hungry, yet we choose to feed most of it to animals [12]. Would it not make more sense that every human was fed and did not go hungry?
8. They torture animals - In the USA, there is very little protection for the animals that are slaughtered. Many live in horrible conditions and are killed in inhumane ways.