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Meat Free “Meats” – What Are They Made From?
At home, in restaurants and within the catering industry, the use of meat free products is becoming more and more popular. Gone are the days when the choice of a meat substitute product was limited to one or two items that were hard to access. There is now a range of meat free alternatives, making it easy to shop and cater for the vegetarian and vegan consumer. Steaks, burgers, chicken, sausages and a whole range of high protein/low fat meatless foods are now readily available, but what are the sources of these meat free “meats”?
Quorn
Quorn remains a controversial product, not least because its source is actually a fungus known as Fusarium Venenatum. Quorn is the most popular protein substitute in the UK. Its popularity extends to the European continent. Whilst an increasing number of people have used this immensely popular and profit producing product safely for over half a century, at least one study, by the USA’s Center for Science in the Public Interest, has suggested that it can be hazardous to people who suffer allergic reactions to moulds and fungi. This may explain its relative lack of popularity in North America. Anyone who does have such an allergy might wish to consider one of the alternatives to Quorn.
Soy
The soybean has provided the source of a multitude of meat substitute products for many years now. Products such as tofu, from soya milk and tempeh, from fermented soya are derived from the soya bean. Soya is a member of the legume plant family, which also includes peas, beans, lentils and peanuts. Like Quorn, it is high in protein, considered by many to be a source of what is known as “Complete Protein” – protein that delivers substantial amounts of all of the amino acids that are required by the human body. Soya protein is popular in the USA and worldwide and is produced in many countries. Whilst some people are allergic to soy, the number is thought to be around only half a per cent of the population.
Wheat Gluten
Originating from China, gluten is derived from wheat and is another major source of meat substitute products. Gluten is produced by the removal of starch from wheat flour dough. The most popular retail form of gluten is seitan. Gluten is nowhere near as popular as Quorn and soya but is nevertheless considered by many to represent the tastiest, healthiest and most versatile of the three. Its relative unpopularity may have much to do with the fact that far more people are likely to possess an intolerance to gluten and wheat products in general than to the fungus based Quorn or the legume based soya protein.
Summary
For housewives, restaurant and diner owners and caterers alike, the need to find alternatives to meat continues to grow. Those who eat meat don’t stick to one meat source and there is no reason why those who choose not to eat meat should do so. All of the three products described above provide a great source of meat free protein. If you have no allergy issues, there is no reason not to try all three before deciding which one off them suits you the best.



Twitter: anilrancorgmail.com
The vegetarian food is very healthy .so every people need to the energy.so vegetarian food contain the lot of energy .
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Twitter: ashuaj2
Wow its an interesting topic.I have seen many peoples who don’t takes meat or any kind of non-veg product even i don’t take non-veg products it’s a good solution for vegetarians and even non-vegetarian’s they can enjoy it.Seems like it must be healthy and tasty good substitute of meat.
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Thanks,
More and more people are using meat-free products now, which is reflected n the wide range of menus and recipes that are now available.
This is very popular and a trend in Norway. Super Food!
Vali recently posted..Personlig Trener Utdanning
Twitter: bhar
Very interesting, I am always looking at various meat alternatives. I think something like quorn is good. Soya is great as well. It very much meat like and tastes really good as well.
Shalu Sharma recently posted..10 things you will hate about India
Twitter: turtlers_com
ima vegitarian ! ! bu stoll this postseems very elidgible to be read atleast once and sounds good !
harshi recently posted..How to Convert DVD to iTunes
it is very interesting and i regularly eat soya meat.Helpful posting
Twitter: freedommmc
Good topic Billy,
I have never understood vegetarians that eat meatish substitutes.
It makes no sense.
If you like vegetables why not just eat them as they are.
It’s like drinking non alcoholic beer.
What’s the point? Why not just drink lemonade or tea?
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I’ve been a vegetarian since I was 14. It’s funny, because I’ve never really needed to eat anything that reminded me of meat – because I never really ate meat! So soy products have never been a big part of my diet.
However, I realize that soy and wheat gluten has a lot of health benefits for a vegetarian and I have been including soy in other ways: desserts and drinks.
My husband eats a lot of veggie burgers etc…and I am impressed with how many restaurants are stepping up their vegetarian game…it is worth their while!
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Twitter: julidarmaputra
I love vegetarian food. This diet is one of the best wayts to lose weight naturally and keep healthy.
Julidarma recently posted..Six Types of Food That Trigger the Yeast Infection
I love this dish!
Vegatarian dish if we cook perfectly, a taste will be perfecly too
Ray recently posted..Pope to resign
I love to eat Veggie burgers and food. Its healthy and make me active. Thank a lot for sharing best diet information with us.
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Twitter: compare2save
Thanks for all the comments.
Darnell, I think that many people eat meat substitutes because they like the taste of meat but make a life choice (for what may be a variety of reasons) not to eat the real thing any longer. It is also considered healthier. To use the “beer” analogy, I have a friend who is a recovering alcoholic. He drinks alcohol free beer because he likes the taste but can’t have the real thing!
I really like vegetarian food and soy meat prepared well is a very good and nutritious meal.
Twitter: seojus1
Hi Billy,
I myself would not give up meat, I do not really see a need to, but for the people who are vegetarians this post should be very useful.
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Thanks Justin,
I eat meat occasionally but tend to go veggie to please my wife, who is a committed one!
Twitter: seojus1
Gotta please the wife, if you want a nice smooth household…
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Hi,
Interesting article. There are single cell protein in the market that can be used as an alternative to meat. I personally like soy and products that have soy in them. It’s very nutritious. Thanks for sharing this info.
Terry.
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Hi Billy,
I’m leaning toward becoming a vegetarian and I appreciate your article.
Personally I’ve found that just by juicing my fruits and vegetables I crave more fresh whole foods. So, I haven’t become a steady consumer of tofu. I haven’t tried quorn though. I’ll look into it. Thanks!
Rich recently posted..2 Powerful Reasons To Juice
Twitter: javiermorenouk
Quorn is very popular here in the UK, I did tried a Lasagne once made with it and it was absolutely delicious. People is allergic to many things nowadays, especially here.
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Twitter: cuteshoeplace
I eat a vegetarian pho soup that has vegetarian ham in it and I always wondered how co they make the ham vegetarian.
Sylvia recently posted..Harlem Shake Dance Craze
Twitter: health_luv
There are number of diseases that caused by eating unhealthy meat and it’s actually very difficult to recognize unhealthy meat. So best alternate is to go vegetarian.
Shailender recently posted..New Study: Vegetarians can easily prevent heart disease
I excited to eat veg foods. It is giving us to good health and long live.
Thank you.!!!!!!!!!
Twitter: compare2save
Many people have turned vegan. I read recently that Bill Clinton was one of them – he did it entirely for health reasons – so that he would live to see his grandchildren.
atually vegetarian food if made properly can be the tastiest food in the universe AND its healthy…
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I agree entirely wazz!
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People said, consuming a lot of sugar is not good because it’s closely with the diabetes. But when I went to traditional massage expert, he told me that don’t to leave the sugar consuming because it’s really important for our energy.
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I’ve had plenty of meat substitutes that are more than tasty. I’m no vegetarian, but let’s face it, we all could stand to live a little healthier. That’s not even considering the humane aspect of modern society’s food needs. It’s one thing to just say ” I like beef.” I admit it, I do love beef, but it isn’t without consequence nor a heavy heart. I have seen many stockyards where cattle are shoulder to shoulder for a long time to keep them from moving and losing weight. If you’ve never seen one, then Google it.
Great article Billy!
Bob recently posted..Pumpkin Bread Recipe With Canned Pumpkin updated Sat Feb 16 2013 6:41 pm EST
Hey Billy !

Nice article. You know I am just crazy about the food stuff. Although I am not vegetarian but really liked your menu
I totally agree with you that these are good for non-vegetarian and vegetarian as well.
Thanks.
Matt
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Twitter: TheSaneMom
Thanks for sharing Billy
This is actually my first time hearing about Quorn.
I thought that all of the meat substitutes you named have had their share of controversy.
Although I’m not a vegetarian, I am a veggie lover and I would be interested in other meatless options.
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Thanks for all the valuable comments.
I am presently working on my next article – food allergies. I Hope that this one will also stimulate debate!
Twitter: fastkickspeed
Nutrition has become a very important part of our daily life now. Not just for elite athletes and martial artists like myself, but for the increasing population with allergies. Thankfully, there are a lot of options now to meet the new market, including the ones listed above and additional supplements.
Twitter: compare2save
Thanks for the contribution Andrew.
Very Informative post! Thank you!
Twitter: AllSeasonsWA
Thanks Robert.
Your comment is much appreciated.
Billy
Nice post BillyP. I do eat meat, but as I age, I find that I am less inclined to eat as much. Mostly chicken and fish. I find that I can get the protein I desire by also supplementing my diet with soy products, nuts, and seeds.
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Thanks Jason,
Poultry and fish are great sources of protein and, as you say, they can be supplemented by entirely meat free products like soy, nuts, seeds, gluten and quorn.
Twitter: mchhimwal
Well Billy….
In am a non vegetarian ,so I think this problem is not with me.But what harms to know about these meat alternatives.Few of my family members are vegetarian. I recommend these to them.Thanks for sharing about food,as is is not usual to get a awesome post about interesting things like food.
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Thanks Mahendra,
I agree that it’s useful to know about all types of food, whatever your personal preferences.
Hey Billy,
Nice post and Thanks for sharing these meat free alternatives. I am a non vegetarian but I will surely recommended these alternatives to my friends who are vegetarians.
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Thanks for making those recommendations Sudipto.