57% of French people have cut back on their consumption of meat products[1]. In any case, this trend is in line with the recommendations from Santé Publique France: eat more fruits and vegetables, legumes, and nuts while reducing your consumption of red meat. It’s not necessarily easy!
When we talk about a more plant-based diet, plant-based substitutes quickly come to mind! Are they helpful in making the transition to a more plant-based diet? To answer this question, we asked Marion Salomé, an engineer specializing in the food and agribusiness industries. Her thesis on the use of plant-based substitutes as part of a diet lower in animal protein has made her an expert on the subject!
Since meat is still often considered the centerpiece of a meal, substitutes seem to be useful tools for transitioning to a more plant-based diet.
Putting plant-based foods at the center of our plates is no easy task: they are often seen as mere side dishes or substitutes.
Substitutes made from legumes and soy are more appealing nutritionally than cereal-based substitutes alone.
Marion Salomé states, “Meat still forms the backbone of our meals: without it, many of us feel that a meal isn’t complete.” Meat substitutes therefore seem to be useful tools for transitioning to a more plant-based diet: replacing meat with similar products is a good starting point for finding your footing again when it comes to what’s on your plate. Substitutes allow us to discover new flavors; they can serve as a catalyst that encourages us to embrace a more plant-based diet!
Plant-based meat substitutes are designed to replicate the texture and/or taste of meat so as not to disrupt eating habits too much! In fact, they’re often prepared in the same ways as their meat counterparts. It’s a simple and convenient way to eat more plant-based foods. Marion Salomé explains that the next step in the process of making our diets more plant-based is “to make plant-based products the main course, rather than just meat substitutes.”
You’re probably wondering if plant-based alternatives can be part of a healthy, balanced diet—in addition to being more plant-based. According to our expert, the answer is yes!
Based on her research, she was able to show that replacing meat with plant-based substitutes reduces saturated fat intake and increases fiber intake! And guess what? This is in line with public health recommendations. “ “When you reduce your meat consumption, it’s recommended to diversify your diet to ensure adequate nutritional intake—or even take supplements if you adopt a vegan diet .”
Furthermore, through her research, Marion Salomé has concluded that “legume-based substitutes (peas, soybeans, etc.) are more beneficial from a nutritional standpoint than substitutes made solely from grains. However, it’s important to be mindful of the amount of salt in plant-based substitutes and to choose the ones with the least salt .” Ultimately, the key is variety: it’s important to diversify your sources of plant-based protein to ensure you’re getting all the nutrients you need!
We'll speak again
That’s why, at HappyVore, we’ve developed a wide range of delicious plant-based alternatives that meet everyone’s nutritional needs. These alternatives have been specially formulated using legumes (peas, fava beans, soybeans) or grains to provide all the amino acids necessary for a healthy diet! What’s more, some of our products are naturally rich in iron or omega-3 fatty acids.
As you can see, plant-based substitutes can be a good alternative to meat if they are nutritionally sound. However, let’s keep in mind that it’s essential to maintain a balanced diet, even when reducing meat consumption. Don’t forget to follow the experts’ advice: eat more fruits and vegetables, and be mindful of your intake of salt, sugary foods, and fats.
Would you like to make your diet more plant-based? Marion Salomé advises you to “start with simple recipes and set small goals for yourself at first.” It can also be a good idea to try the plant-based options available in cafeterias and restaurants. She says that this “lets you discover plant-based foods and—why not?—might even inspire you to use them at home”!
Finally, the expert encourages us to always“keep an open mind: just because there’s no meat doesn’t mean it’s not a real meal. Take pasta with pesto, for example!”
So, are you tempted to start (or continue) your plant-based journey?
[1] Climate Action Network and Harris Interactive Survey, 2023.
