Vegan Meat sales are on the rise

The latest research by Appinio discovered that in 2021 50.8% of the British public were willing to buy plant-based meat to replace their usual meat intake.

With plant-based meat and proteins now being more available than ever before, we are quite spoilt for choice when it comes to replacing our usual source of protein. With meat substitutes and meat alternatives being available in most high street supermarkets and online stores, the range of plant-based meats has expanded rapidly over recent years.

Meatless Meat - the new family favourite? 

As well as being able to buy the usual vegan staples and vegan meat alternatives, such as tofu and jackfruit, you can now buy meatless meat that can replace chicken, beef, bacon and ham, sausages, meatballs, burgers, and more! Even our favourite food delivery apps now provide a healthy and larger selection of vegan and meat-free restaurants than ever before. 

With so many more plant-based meat options when it comes to mealtimes, it's never been easier for the whole family to consume and enjoy a meatless meat diet. Sainsbury’s reported in 2019, that a quarter of the British population will be vegans and vegetarians by 2025. 660,000 people signed up for Veganuary in January 2022, which included participants from over 220 countries! 
At PlantX UK, we stock an extensive range of vegan meat, vegan meat substitutes, vegan meat alternatives, and plant-based meat products. There’s something for everyone, even vegan hotdogs and meat-free chicken nuggets that the kids will love! 

If you haven't yet tried vegan meat, what are you waiting for? You can read some of the most frequently asked questions about vegan meat below! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to consume vegan meat?

Of course it is! All food products in the UK must meet strict health and safety regulations and meet certain standards. 

Vegan meat, vegan meat substitutes, and alternatives, or plant-based meat, are no different. They too must go through the same processes, and must meet the same standards as every other item of produce available in the UK today.

The imported ingredients that are used to make vegan meat and meatless meat, are also subjected to the same strict rules and procedures, and must meet the same food hygiene standards as ingredients that are grown and produced in the UK. 

Is vegan meat good or bad for cholesterol levels?

Cholesterol is fat that can be found in our blood. Having too much of this fat in our blood can lead to some serious health problems. 

Cholesterol only comes from products that are derived from animals. This means that all plant-based meat products, all vegan meat products, and all vegan meat substitutes and alternatives are cholesterol-free! Vegan diets have also been proven in multiple studies to reduce cholesterol levels over time.

How long will vegan meat stay fresh in the fridge?

All plant-based meat storage instructions vary, but are pretty similar to the instructions for storing your usual meat products. A lot of vegan meat and vegan meat substitutes are frozen for freshness, and because of the fact that they mostly contain only natural fresh ingredients and no artificial preservatives.

Vegan meat can be defrosted in the same way as your usual meat as and when needed, meaning you'll have less food waste too! You should always check the packaging of individual items for specific storage and cooking instructions.

Is vegan meat high in fat?

As vegan meat contains no cholesterol, it usually does not have a high-fat content either. Saturated and trans fats are only found in animal meat products, and in high quantities too. These are the fats that are bad for our bodies, and consuming too much of these can lead to clogged up arteries and higher cholesterol levels.

In vegan meat and plant-based meat, the levels of saturated and trans fats are much lower. Meatless meat and plant-based meat is also higher in monounsaturated fats. Monounsaturated fats are good for our bodies. They can help to lower our levels of cholesterol, and they help to maintain the health of important cells in our bodies. 

Monounsaturated fats can be found in lots of the ingredients that are used in vegan meat and plant-based meat. Vegan meat and vegan meat alternatives contain ingredients that have some of the highest monounsaturated fat levels. Nuts for example - pecans, almonds, and cashews are all high in this important fat, as are pumpkin seeds and oils, such as olive oil and peanut oil.

How many calories does vegan meat contain? 

Vegan meat does contain calories, but, due to the natural and fresh ingredients of plant-based meat, the calorie content, along with cholesterol and fat content, is naturally lower than that of its meat-based counterpart.

Meatless meat substitutes, vegan meat alternatives, and plant-based meat, all use ingredients that are not only fresh but are also naturally lower in fat. These ingredients are also lower in sugar, and can help to support a healthy and balanced diet. Plant-based meat also usually contains only natural flavourings, colours, and preservatives, and has no added sugar.