There are more and more : According to evaluations by the Federal Statistical Office, around eight million Germans are now refraining from eating meat . The number of vegetarians and vegans increased by 23 percent and even a whopping 41 percent between 2017 and 2021 .
The trend is clearly moving in the direction of not only avoiding meat, but also all animal products in general. As the Heinrich Böll Foundation determined in a representative survey , it is particularly young people between the ages of 15 and 29 who are increasingly refraining from consuming meat .
Vegetarian meat substitute: More and more Germans are giving up eating meat
However, many people still don't want to go without the grilled sausage or the pan-fried schnitzel. To do this, they specifically rely on meat substitutes. Foods such as soy, seitan or a mix of plant-based ingredients replace the classic meat product as vegan meat substitutes .
The change in diet to vegan meat alternatives is also reflected in the numbers. In 2021, almost 17 percent more meat substitute solutions were produced in Germany than in the previous year.
This growth is even more significant compared to the production figures in 2019: the Federal Statistical Office puts the corresponding increase rate at around 63 percent. The market experts also expect a sales high for 2022.
Market forecasts, such as the Statista Consumer Market Outlook , assume that around 480 million euros will be spent on meat substitute products in the DACH region this year.
It is fitting that the food industry is now increasingly concentrating on the development of plant-based meat alternatives.
The reasons for switching to vegan meat
Initially, many consumers proclaimed their personal avoidance of meat primarily for reasons of animal welfare and health aspects and switched to a plant-based diet.
People are aware of climate change and the resulting dangers for future generations. Conscious consumption and sustainability play important roles in the decision for vegetarian substitute products and a generally vegan diet .
It is important that vegetarian substitute products are specifically developed and brought to market. They should also delight long-time meat lovers with the taste of tofu, soy and the like.
Greenforce meat substitute
The range of plant-based ingredients and meat substitute products now offers a wide and varied range of products.
A vegetarian meat substitute can, for example
- protein-rich soy,
- lupine beans,
- Oil seeds (sunflower seeds etc.) or
- textured pea protein.
Start-ups like our company Greenforce , founded in 2020, have established themselves as pioneers of an entire industry and are real food revolutionaries. All Greenforce products are not only 100 percent vegan, but also 100 percent sustainable.
Our vegan meat alternatives are available in powder form. With our offerings, we want to establish a desire for vegan meat and revolutionize the food industry with unique plant-based foods.
Behind Greenforce is a competent team of food experts and food enthusiasts, all of whom are among the leading ranks of protein researchers. The meat alternative solutions from Greenforce are correspondingly high quality and sometimes innovative.
This makes it clear : vegan meat substitutes and a change in your usual eating habits do not mean giving up at the same time.
Best meat substitute: " Easy To Mix " for a green future with taste
With a view to a vegan meat alternative, we are increasingly relying on pea protein .
Vegetable proteins of this type can be combined with other ingredients, such as:
- partially deoiled sunflower seeds,
- onions,
- pea flour,
- Wheat flour,
- herbs and
- Spices
Process into a powder mix.
Stirred in water, this powder then forms a mass with a meat-like consistency. You can use our “ Easy To Mix ” products to prepare vegan ragouts, minced dishes, nuggets or even gyros.
You don't have to go without the obligatory bratwurst or delicious cevapcici at a hearty barbecue party . Greenforce offers you a variety of vegetarian substitute products.
By purchasing and consuming these vegan products , you are helping to make the world a little more sustainable and greener. You will also experience completely new taste experiences.
In the relevant forums, users expressly praise the great taste of Greenforce's meat alternative solutions in many postings.
5 tips for the ideal meat substitute
However, meat substitute products based on pea protein as the best meat substitute are not the only way to eat vegan. The choice of meat substitute products and therefore also the ingredients used is constantly increasing.
We have listed other common raw materials for vegan meat alternatives for you.
1. Tofu
Tofu is made from soybeans. Basically it is a soy curd that is made in a similar way to classic quark or cheese. Tofu offers you a neutral taste and contains plenty of protein.
Since it doesn't have an intrusive taste of its own, you can crumble tofu for a vegan pasta sauce, for example, and then fry it spicy.
If you want to prepare a vegan burger or other patties, simply puree your tofu and season it as desired before frying the mixture in the pan.
You can also use tofu in fried, baked or marinated form as a topping for your vegan sandwich . If you are looking for a bacon or ham alternative, you should choose smoked tofu. This saltier version offers you a fine, spicy smoky note.
2. Beans
Like other legumes, beans are real protein boosters. Pureed beans are a perfect base for hearty patties . You can also use the beans together with tofu.
Locust bean gum or agar-agar obtained from dried algae ensure the right consistency. You can season this vegan meat alternative with tomato paste or paprika powder, for example.
3. Seitan
A little firmer than tofu and often slightly fibrous, high-protein seitan is also a popular substitute for meat . Seitan, which is made from wheat protein, is used in many forms, especially in Asian cuisine.
Insights into Buddhist cuisine are particularly interesting, as many dishes here traditionally do not contain meat.
The use of pre-cooked Seitan is recommended, for example for the vegan preparation of delicious bratwursts , grilled steaks, schnitzels or fricassee.
4. Cereals
You probably know Grünkern and Bulgar as ingredients in salads and baked goods. But these two nutrient-rich and generally wholesome types of grain can also be used excellently as meat substitutes . Green seed patties have even been considered a delicacy for a long time.
If you want, you can also use green kernels to make vegan liver sausage or other spreads. In contrast, bulgur as pre-cooked wheat is a vegan alternative for meatless minced dishes , tasty pasta sauces or fillings for peppers, eggplants and similar vegetables.
In Turkey, bulgur is traditionally used as a vegetarian meat substitute for meatless Çig Köfte variants.
5. Tempeh
Tempeh is made from soybeans that have been peeled, steamed and fermented with mushroom cultures and then pressed into a block. In Indonesian cuisine, these tempeh blocks have traditionally been used to prepare dishes for centuries.
The fermentation product from Indonesia can be used in a variety of ways thanks to its mushroom-like and mild-nutty taste, and it harmonizes perfectly with almost any seasoning.
From a nutritional perspective, this is a valuable food that has a high protein content and is rich in fiber. In vegan cuisine, tempeh is suitable, for example, as a fried bacon alternative, breaded schnitzel alternative or meatless mince .
6. Sweet lupins, soy shreds, lentils and jackfruit
These four ingredients also enrich vegan cuisine with additional meat replacement options . However, you should not use the soy shreds, which are laced with calcium, protein and vitamin B2, too often as it is a processed food. However, you can use lenses as you wish.
The low-fat, high-fiber and high-protein legumes are popular for lasagne fillings or vegan Bolognese variations. Alternatively, you can also use sweet lupins in the form of lupine flour as a meat alternative.
In addition to plenty of protein, this also provides you with fiber and micronutrients as well as all essential amino acids. Or are you in the mood for a pinch of exoticism? Then jackfruits are particularly interesting for you as meat substitute products .
The consistency of jackfruit, which comes from tropical regions, is strongly reminiscent of cooked pork.
Not every meat alternative can meet the demands
But there is also a fly in the ointment that you should keep an eye on. When it comes to the quality of meat alternatives, there are sometimes big differences in appearance, taste and, above all, ingredients.
Basically, all vegetarian and vegan meat alternatives aim to be as close as possible to the original in terms of appearance and taste.
Anyone who chooses vegan meat as an alternative to beef steak, roast pork or grilled sausages usually assumes that they are enjoying a comparatively healthy product.
However, the latter is not the case with every meat substitute product offer. As a report by Norddeutscher Rundfunk reveals, meat substitutes in some cases contain a lot of sugar, salt, fat and also additives that are harmful to health
Ingredients - pay particular attention to the subtle differences
For example, tofu or seitan, as pure glutinous protein without starch and small ingredients, have almost as much protein as meat and, when unprocessed, contain no uric acid and very little fat.
But when protein is produced, the healthy contents of wheat or soy are often isolated and extracted. This primarily concerns minerals and vitamins as well as fiber.
In addition, individual manufacturers are not particularly economical when it comes to enriching meat substitutes with sugar, salt and fat.
This is intended to intensify the taste experience. The actual advantages of plant protein sources do not come into play in this way.
In addition, a targeted review of minced meat alternatives in supermarkets found that many of these products on the supermarket shelf contain, in addition to excessive fat and salt, additives such as smoke flavors or acidity regulators.
Before you decide on a vegetarian or vegan product , you should always take a close look at the respective list of ingredients. As a rule, the shorter the list of ingredients, the better or healthier the meat alternatives are .
You need to pay particular attention to these problems:
- Sugar : Some meat substitute products contain a comparatively high sugar content. Too much sugar can lead to obesity and diabetes in the long term.
- Fat : Some products have a fat content between ten and 20 percent. This is on a par with many conventional meat and sausage products. In this case, it is no longer possible to speak of a lower-fat diet.
- Salt : According to the recommendations of the DGE (German Nutrition Society), you should not consume more than six grams of salt per day. In some products from meat substitute suppliers, up to two grams of salt per 100 grams could be found. This significantly increases your personal salt balance.
- Glutamate : Manufacturers also like to use the esters (chemical compounds) and salts of glutamic acid; better known as glutamates. In particular, the salts of L-glutamic acid can be found in some meat-free alternative products. Manufacturers most often use the simple sodium salt. The salt content is thereby increased again. In addition, glutamates are generally considered unhealthy in large quantities. However, no clear scientific evidence has yet been provided for this assumption.
- Phosphates : Vegan meat substitutes can also contain the esters and salts of orthophosphoric acid. They are found in additives and act as binding and acidifying agents as well as stabilizers. Research has clearly shown that phosphates in food can pose a risk to your own health. It changes the inner walls of the vessels, which in the worst case can lead to a heart attack or stroke. The risk of osteoporosis is also increased by the intake of phosphates, as these dissolve the important calcium from the bones. This causes the bones to become brittle. On top of that, phosphate causes muscles and skin to age faster. If you have problems with your kidneys, you should completely avoid foods with phosphates. Doctors warn that phosphates can have health effects or sequelae in kidney patients.
Best meat substitute: Always pay attention to high quality
Whether vegan or vegetarian schnitzel , steaks, sausages or meatloaf - plant-based substitutes for meat products are healthier. Several studies confirm this.
According to an IFANE study for the Albert Schweizer Foundation, vegan meat products based on pea protein , wheat, soy or lupine generally contain fewer unhealthy ingredients compared to meat products, but a healthier composition of nutrients.
However, there are sometimes clear differences in quality in this area too, which are reflected in the composition of the ingredients.
Ultimately, it always depends on which meat-free alternative product you choose. With Greenforce's award-winning " Easy To Mix " products, you are on the safe side thanks to the few and carefully selected ingredients.
There are also many other good reasons for a vegan lifestyle and diet. With vegan meat substitute solutions, you benefit from health benefits, contribute to more sustainability, promote environmental protection and avoid animal suffering.
Balanced, resource-saving, ethically harmless and also delicious - it couldn't be better.