How does animal meat compare to plant-based meat?
Plant-based alternatives are no longer just for vegetarians and vegans. In recent years, they are attracting many people who are eliminating or reducing their personal consumption of meat.
Whether you consider yourself one of these people or simply recognize the rise of this trend, this infographic from the Very Good Food Company (VGFC) explores three key reasons why the plant-based market is growing and how it compares to animal meat.
It is Part 3 in a series that gives investors everything they need to know about getting involved in this exciting space.
Plant-based meat: a flexitarian choice of the younger generation
In an online survey of consumers, more than one third they considered themselves “flexitarians”, eating mostly plant-based diets, with the occasional consumption of meat. In fact, among Americans eating less meat, 36% they are directly replacing these products with plant-based alternatives.
This is being driven primarily by younger generations, who show significant preferences for plant-based lifestyles:
| Generation | Already regularly eating plant-based | Trying to eat more plant-based |
|---|---|---|
| millennials | 79% | 30% |
| Generation Z | 79% | 60% |
So it’s no surprise that the plant-based food market will grow nearly fivefold in the next decade, and is expected to reach $162 billion by 2030. The top three reasons consumers are transitioning to plant-based diets are health awareness, environmental concerns, and overall cost. How does animal meat compare to plant-based meat in these key areas?
1. Public health and safety
Meat can be a valuable source of protein and nutrients. So why are consumers increasingly turning to plant-based alternatives?
a study of Duke University Medical Center examined the nutritional profile of animal meat versus common plant-based alternatives:
| type of protein | Minced meat (113g) | Soy-based alternative (113g) | bean burger (108g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| calories | 220 | 250 | 200 |
| Cholesterol | 60mg | 0mg | 0mg |
| Sodium | 70mg | 370mg | 380mg |
| Protein | 23g | 19g | 21g |
Research shows that plant-based meat contains protein levels comparable to animal meat. The latter also brings with it a higher cholesterol content, so replacing red meat with plant-based alternatives can help reduce the risk of heart disease.
On the other hand, many plant-based alternatives on the market today are highly processed, but the increasing use of natural and organic ingredients is reducing these sodium levels.
2. All eyes on the environment
Every stage of the food supply chain sees greenhouse gases emissions (GHG), but are more prominent for animal meat compared to ingredients in plant-based alternatives. Of all the GHG produced by man, 14.5% they come from ranching, of which cattle make up more than half of the total due to methane production and grazing land required.
On the contrary, the environmental impact of plant-based alternatives is more positive:
- 30-90% less GHG emissions
- 47-99% less land
- 72-99% less water
This increased environmental awareness is driving more consumers to choose plant-based alternatives.
3. The impact of the stickers, but the scale can help
One of the biggest barriers to widespread adoption of plant-based alternatives remains cost.
That’s how he price Plant-based meat and animal meat products vary at a retail grocery store like Whole Foods:
| kind of product | Cost per pound (lb) |
|---|---|
| Plant-Based Beyond Burger | $12 |
| Whole Foods 365 Veggie Burger | $6.40 |
| Ground beef | $5 |
| Chicken | $3-7 |
| Plant-based meat (2030P) | $2.92 |
Plant-based products command a much higher price than conventional meat, but there is good news: as demand grows, more plant-based factories are springing up. With scale, some plant-based meats could be priced competitively with animal meat.
The rise of plant-based diets
As more consumers reduce their overall meat intake, they are replacing these products with higher-protein, plant-based alternatives. Consumers see them as better for their health and for the planet. Soon, there will be even more options on the table at cheaper prices.
The Very Good Food Company produces great-tasting, healthy food options using organic ingredients to suit all tastes and diets.
Click here for more information on the Very good food company and how their clean and healthy protein alternatives are fueling this growing global movement.
