These days, many people have come to believe that it is better to use vegetable meat instead of animal meat to maintain their health and the environment. But some people are not sure if this type of meat is as nutritious as animal meat. In this article, we have provided everything you need to know about vegetable meat.
What is vegetable meat made of?
If you want to know what vegetable meat is, we must say that this type of meat is made using different vegetable ingredients and there are different types of it in the market. Some of the ingredients used to make vegetable meat are:
- Wheat gluten Vital or Sitan;
- CIA and Tufu;
- Pea protein;
- potato starch;
- Beans and lentils;
- Nuts and seeds;
- the vegetables.
Types of vegetable meats
Vegetable meat, sometimes called fake meat, has different types and enters the market in different forms, including:
- Hamburger;
- Mince Meat;
- Sausage;
- Vegetable chicken.
1. Sitan vegetable meat
Do you know what Sitan is? Cetane is a type of vegetable meat made from vital wheat gluten. Sitan is delicious and is used in fried foods, sandwiches, stews and pastas.
This type of vegetable meat is full of protein and is a good alternative to animal meat. In addition to protein, sitan also contains small amounts of iron, calcium and potassium.
Cetane can be found in many stores in the form of cubes, strips or thin slices. You can also prepare this type of meat yourself at home using Vital Wheat Gluten, vegetable soups and flavors such as soy sauce or liquid amino acids and garlic. All you have to do is mix these ingredients in a blender and shape it into a hamburger, then cook it.
2. Beyond Meat
Biandemite (meaning beyond meat) is a well-known brand that produces plant-based meat products. Of course, the brand initially intended to produce only vegetable burgers, but later also produced vegetable minced meat, sausages, meatballs and vegetable chicken.
The main ingredients of these products are chickpea protein and also contain coconut oil, rice protein, cocoa butter and dry yeast. Biandemite is soy and gluten free and can be dyed naturally using beet juice. A small amount of this vegetable meat, the size of a small pancake, can provide 100% of vitamin B12, 40% of zinc and 20% of iron daily.
3. Impossible burgers
These burgers are similar to Bindemite burgers. The company that makes these hamburgers also uses non-meat sausages and chicken-like nuggets using vegetable ingredients.
Potato and soy protein are used instead of chickpea protein in the production of impassable burgers (meaning impossible). These products also taste like meat using iron supplements (Heme). Heme iron is usually obtained from animal products. But the iron used in this hamburger is derived from the protrusions on the roots of the soybean plant and is produced using yeasts that have been genetically modified.
Impasible hamburgers contain a set of micronutrients, for example, a small amount of this plant meat (about the size of a small pancake) provides 50% of zinc, 130% of vitamin B12 and 25% of iron daily.
4. Desert Bread (Jack Fruit)
Jackfruit is a tropical fruit that grows in Asia, Africa and some parts of South America. This fruit has a thick, green and uneven skin, and its flesh is soft and stringy with edible seeds. This fruit is used to produce vegetable meat due to its mild and uniform taste.
Jackfruit is low in calories compared to other vegetable meats and does not have much protein or fat. However, due to its fiber and several micronutrients such as iron, potassium and calcium, it is used to produce vegetable meat.
5. Foods containing soy
Soy is one of the legumes and the main base of most plant meats. Foods made from soy have a mild taste. For this reason, this type of vegetable meat is suitable for preparing plant foods. Some foods containing soy include:
- Soy: This bean, also called adamame (unripe soy), is great for adding to fried foods. They can also be cooked and used for snacks.
- Tofu: A sponge cake made from soybeans and water that is squeezed or cubed or cooked. Tofu is used in fried foods, vegetables or in slices in sandwiches. You can also chop tofu and cook it with vegetables.
- Tempeh: It is one of the soy products that is produced from soy fermentation. Tempeh is usually produced and entered the market in the form of long rectangular cubes. You can slice it and add it to fried foods or chop it and add it to your favorite soups or sandwiches.
- Soy Vegetable Meat: Soy protein is used in some processed vegetable meats, such as pre-prepared vegetable burgers.
Benefits of Vegetable Meat
Vegetable meats are rich in vitamins and antioxidants that are good for the health of the body. In addition, research has shown that a plant-based diet is beneficial for weight control, diabetes, and gut microbiome. Consumption of plant meat prevents a variety of diseases such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has long been concerned about the carcinogenesis of red and processed meats, which it says increase the risk of cancer by eating large amounts of these meats. The American Heart Association also encourages people to eat plant-based meats instead of animals to keep their hearts healthier.
Research has shown that high consumption of red and processed meats increases the risk of some cancers, especially breast and colon cancer. On the other hand, the Western diet lacks essential nutrients such as fiber, which can reduce the risk of several chronic diseases.
Disadvantages of vegetable meats
Although herbal products have many benefits, some of them contain food additives such as fillers and extra sodium and may also be high in saturated fats. Some manufacturers do not add vitamin B12 to their vegetable meats and the quality of these meats is reduced. Also, vegetable meats have less zinc and minerals than animal meats.
In addition, vegetable meats contain other substances that some people are not interested in consuming. Some of these materials are:
- Refined oils;
- Modified corn starch;
- Artificial sugar or added sugar.
The best way to avoid consuming substances that are irritating to you is to read the list of ingredients in plant meats before buying them.
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