Future of Sustainable Food (6)

After the last few blogs focussing on a “Plant Forward” approach, today i want to talk a bit more how we can really make efficient changes towards this more “plant forward” lifestyle, and by showcasing you that it is easier as you think and can be more convenient than ever before , all with the goal that each and everyone of us can become

“multi problem solvers”

Today the focus will be on “plant based alternatives”, and if they really are the ultimate solution, as many people think, or as the food industry wants to make us believe.

After last week's deep dive into one of the most environmentally friendly plant proteins, being “BEANS”, today my focus will be on the many and very fast increasing “plant based alternatives” on the market. Many of these plant based alternative products are being commercialised as consciously high quality, healthy and delicious foods and as being better for our personal welfare, our health, the environment, our planet, and also for better animal welfare.

My first question today:

Are these many, animal protein replacing products, really as good for our health and our Planet, as they are promoting this, to us as consumers?

Our market is overflowing and being flooded with many “alternative” products, mainly and especially with the focus to increase vegan nutrition and vegan / vegetarian diets, all for a healthier and more environmental correct approach, with products such as Milk alternatives, Cheese alternatives, Meat and Fish alternatives and Egg alternatives.

How Good and effective are all these products, and do they really support the cause they are allegedly or apparently trying to solve for.

Let's start with alternative animal proteins.

There are already many investigations available on the web, that focus on the healthiness and the environmental impact of the growing change from original meat products to plant based alternatives.

Many of those investigative studies focus on the greenhouse gas (GHG) impact and emissions, and it is definitely proven that all these plant based products have a significantly much lower negative impact on our environment and planet.

Also looking at resources, such as water, soil, and energy, used for the production of these meat alternatives, we do see a much more positive balance compared to the production of original animal proteins.

So when we talk about the positive impact from “meat alternatives” on the environment and therefore on our planet, it is proven that we can back this up with overwhelming evidence and data.

So knowing that these "meat alternatives are better for our environment and our planet

my next question: What is the impact of “meat alternatives” on our personal health?

The overall studies and investigations supported by scientific data show us that the “meat alternatives” compared to original animal proteins have lower levels of fat, saturated fat, cholesterol but additionally also very often a lower protein percentage and energy availability. On the other hand many of these “meat alternatives are much higher when it comes to salt, sugar, and flavour enhancers.

Taking this into consideration, these “meat alternatives” can definitely have a positive increasing impact on our health going forward, but it is also not the ultimate solution, and not all of these alternatives are automatically healthier. The industry is further developing these products to deliver on increasing taste, texture and cooking characteristics and combining them with as healthy as possible additional ingredients, to undoubtedly market and promote them as the best and healthiest and most sustainable options available.

My Personal Opinion “as a qualified, experienced food expert and Chef” we are heading in a good direction, but by good I mean that we are still not there yet, and we still need much more research, I’m absolutely not a fan of the increasing amount of the very many recommended, perfect problem solvers, meaning "meat alternatives" that are overflowing our supermarkets.

Do we really need vegan burgers or vegan sausages, and why do we name these "meat alternatives" after original meat names?

For me, this increasing market of fashionable “meat alternatives” is just a very lucrative trend, that is being brought to us by our global food industry with very irresistible and compelling marketing strategies, and although the general ideas and recommendations behind this trend are absolutely justifiable, admirable and also necessary and needed for a better future and a better planet, the question stays , who helps this approach more, our planet, our environment, our health or the profits of our food industry ?

I'm convinced there are other ways to support the increasing demand for the many “meat alternatives” , instead of just falling back on all these plant based meats, and these industrial, scientific, convenience products. For me this is much more an excuse for taking the easy way out.

Please don't understand me wrong, there are many good products on the market that have their legitimate existence, but there are also many naturally, sustainably grown products available on our planet which, being used in the correct proportions and amounts can do the same Job for more healthier diets, and a better environment.

First of all, changing to more biological and natural grown, seasonal and local products, and therefore reducing transportation, automatically is the best and the most impactful solution to support our environment, and additionally also to support our health in a natural way.

Secondly, reducing the use of convenience products could and should be the next step in our personal food demand development, and if we still do, need tor want to use convenience products (due to personal living situations , personal choices or time constraints), then lets make sure we do use these convenience products by being as mindful as possible.

Check the convenience you buy or use and try to reduce the demand wherever possible by selecting these convenience products very mindful and investigative by having a thorough look at what these products actually contain, or what they are made of, you will definitely be surprised and it can be a real eye opener as well.

Third of all, by being more creative and innovative in combining and preparing our personal food, and by making more time in general for the preparation of your food, we can support and increase the demand for more natural, seasonal and fresh products. which can then be a push for the industry to also change to more natural products.

Lastly, knowing that time is always an increasing and challenging issue in all of our personal lives, there are extremely, many easy, non time consuming possibilities available nowadays, that can support our personal cooking habits and practices, and even Chatbots are the latest trend that can deliver on any kind of recipes or dish combinations in seconds.

Change is not difficult, and its absolutely feasible, so why not start now?

I feel it as one of my personal goals, not to judge on what is the better approach, or what is right or wrong, my goal is to create much much more awareness around our Food choices, I'm hoping to support and nudge every single person to make his own personal reasoned opinions, and decisions on how he wants to feed himself, and I hope that with my blog I can help you all with ideas and suggestions, to make the right and thoughtful decision, according to your personal knowledge, preferences and interests,

All this with the objective that we together can become the "multiple problem solvers" for a more sustainable and healthier future and a better Planet

To finish today's story, one last question to really think about ................ before we start implementing all these ideas and suggestions:

Would it not make much more sense, before we start discussing and talking about the foods we like or prefer, or what we would want the food industry to develop more of, to first focus on opportunities and possibilities on how we can make food available and accessable for all humans on our planet in an equal way,

It is my belief that this problem even needs much more attention, before we start investing in so much more resources, money and energy in products that will only be available for a small part of all humans, living on our planet. Solidarity in this challenges needs to be key, and needs to stay on top of our mind and our priority lists, all for a healthy global population and a healthy planet.

PFJ 22.07