Delicious: Plant-based alternatives are conquering our plates

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Plant-based alternatives are conquering our plates

In recent years, the vegan diet craze has taken the world by storm. More and more people are choosing plant-based alternatives to animal products, be it for ethical, health or environmental reasons. The growing variety of vegan substitute products, which are becoming more and more present in supermarkets and restaurants, makes a significant contribution to this.

Health and the environment: The reasons for a vegan diet

One of the main reasons why many people incorporate vegan substitutes into their diet is the positive impact on health. Plant-based meat and dairy substitutes are typically cholesterol-free and lower in saturated fats. They are rich in fiber, vitamins and antioxidants, which may help reduce the risk of heart disease and other chronic health problems.

Vegan substitutes also help reduce environmental impact. The production of animal products is often associated with high water consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and land use. Plant-based alternatives generally have a significantly lower ecological footprint. Consuming vegan substitute products can therefore contribute to environmental protection and help combat climate change.

Butter and milk are no longer necessarily from animals

Plant-based butter alternatives are currently in Germany has actually been taken for granted for decades. After all, the first purely plant-based margarine was produced in Germany, in Hamburg in 1952. However, a lot has happened since then and in addition to margarine variants such as Rama, Deli Reform and Co., there are also more and more suppliers who replace classic butter in terms of consistency as well as frying and cooking behavior. And in terms of taste, the vegan versions are getting closer and closer to their animal originals. The Eleplant brand, for example, advertises the naturally buttery taste that a recipe made from coconut fat, rapeseed oil, cocoa fat and oat drink is supposed to ensure. The brand also avoids preservatives and palm oil, which has been criticized due to the large area required by the plantations in the rainforest, and, according to the manufacturer, has a total CO2 footprint that is only half as high as butter. The areas of application for plant-based butter alternatives are as varied as their animal counterparts and range from breakfast toast to cooking, frying and baking.

Milk substitute products have also seen steadily growing market shares in recent years. Oat milk is particularly popular, not least because oats have proven to be the most environmentally friendly over the years. But soy, almond, hazelnut or cashew milk are also popular, the latter variant particularly as a substitute for cream for cooking. Whether Alpro, Oatly or Alnatura – there are now many manufacturers of these products, not least because of this, the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center a guide compiled for milk substitute products. Result: As long as the ingredients come from Europe, there is a lot to be gained from milk substitutes in terms of the climate.

Cheese and meat substitute products

A similar picture emerges with cheese and meat. There are more and more alternatives for customers; companies like Beyond Meat, which produce burger substitutes, are now worth billions. Here, around a fifth of the content comes from pea protein, which has become a superstar among protein substitutes in recent years. A large number of manufacturers, young and old, are currently participating in this trend; even classic sausage and meat manufacturers such as Rügenwalder offer plant-based substitute products made from pea or soy proteins. Also Dr. Oetker now has a purely plant-based crème fraîche in its range.

Vegan cheese alternatives are even more diverse. It is important to pay particular attention to the purpose for which the cheese is to be used, as it often behaves differently under heat than its animal counterparts. From cheese based on coconut fat to spreads that imitate cream cheese to grated cheese substitutes for pizza – here too: try, try, try. Which cheese substitute is used for which purpose is revealed either by the right recipe or by your own experience with the respective products.

Lots more vegan food!

In addition to the aforementioned classics of butter, milk, cheese and meat, there are countless other vegan alternatives in all areas of nutrition: from ice cream to egg substitutes to sweets, there is hardly a food segment left where vegan alternatives cannot be found. However, some manufacturers are not satisfied with purely plant-based ingredients and also ensure that, for example, no palm oil is used in their products. If you want to be sure which products contain what exactly, including possible allergens, it’s best to download an app like “Codecheck” on his cell phone, which, after scanning the barcode, reveals the exact ingredients of a product.

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