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Jan 16, 2021

Guide To Meat Alternatives

If you plan to incorporate more vegan food into your diet, but you worry that you’ll miss meat too much, you’re in luck. There have never been more quality meat alternatives available at your local organic market. It’s easy to make delicious meals, packed with protein and flavor if you just follow these tips from Organic Restaurants and experiment with some of these incredible meat alternatives.

Tofu

Tofu is an obvious choice for a meat substitute and there are many reasons why it has stuck around for so long. It’s made from fermented soy milk, which gives tofu its mild taste and ability to pick up flavoring during the cooking process. You can grill it, fry it, use it in stews, and even put soft tofu in a smoothie. And remember that half a cup of tofu has 22 grams of protein!

Lentils

Here’s another high-protein meat substitute. Half a cup of cooked lentils contains 13 grams of protein. Lentils are perfect for making meatless versions of many meat dishes, including meatballs, burgers, and even tacos. These might not be your first choice for a meat alternative, but you should definitely take a closer look at lentils.

Tempeh

Tempeh is similar to tofu, with a more meat-like texture and a slightly nutty taste. It is commonly used as filling in tacos, sandwiches, and wraps. Like tofu, it’s packed with protein. Tempeh is also rich in protein, iron, calcium, and B vitamins, and low in saturated fat and cholesterol. This is a great, versatile option for meat-free meals.

Seitan

Seitan is a meat substitute made from wheat gluten. It has a mild taste and a chewy texture and makes for a great meat substitute if you grill it or use it in a soup or stew. Seitan is also quite versatile, with some restaurants even making their own seitan “chicken” wings. Like many of the meat alternatives on this list, seitan is also high in protein and low in fat.

Jackfruit

It might surprise you to see a fruit on a list of meat alternatives, but this unique type of produce can actually sub in for meat in a number of dishes. Making pulled “pork” with it is a popular option, but jackfruit can also work in curries and tacos. This meat alternative is rich in fiber, protein, potassium, and other nutrients too, so you can feel good about eating it.

Vegan Meat Substitutes

There are now many vegan substitutes available that strive to recreate the taste and texture of actual meat. Try out a beyond burger or an impossible burger, or replace pork sausage with beyond sausage or “soyrizo.” These might end up being a great way to ease you into a meat-free diet.

For More Tips About Vegan Eating

If you want to learn more about how you can incorporate more vegan and organic food into your diet, visit the Organic Restaurants website. It’s full of healthy eating tips and helps you find local organic food stores and restaurants that you’ll love.

 

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