Reasons why Filipinos are starting to love plant-based meat alternatives
Plant-based meats contain some fiber and plenty of protein, if not just as much protein as animal-based meats. There are so many compelling reasons to eat more plant-based foods. Especially, when you’re concerned about your health, the environment, and animal welfare.
Filipinos have witnessed a split in the marketplace around two very different approaches to eating more plant-based foods. Although plant-based meats are made from processed ingredients, they are better for the environment and animal welfare, and they often taste a lot like meat.
So, why are Filipinos starting to love plant-based meat alternatives?
Good for the environment.
Plant-based diets could reduce mortality and greenhouse gases caused by food production by 10% and 70%, respectively by 2050. United Nations Environment Programme says that animal products, both meat, and dairy, in general, require more resources and cause higher emissions than plant-based alternatives.
The World Health Organization also said that reducing livestock herds would also reduce emissions of methane, the second largest contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide. Promoting plant-based dietary guidelines is also beneficial for both the health of the planet and people.
Helps animal welfare.
Consuming more plant-based meals lowers the demand for meat, dairy, and eggs. As a result, there remains far less animal suffering on factory farms all around the world. The annual production and raising of billions of animals for food contribute significantly to climate change.
This pollutes our air and water and uses a tremendous amount of land, water, and other precious natural resources. Aside from that, industrial farm animal production also causes significant emissions of three key climate-changing gases. This, then, disrupts weather, temperature, and ecosystem health.
Keeping your heart healthy.
According to WebMD, a plant-based diet can be good for the heart. If you eat mostly or only fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, whole grains, and meat substitutes like soy can help cut the odds of getting heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes among others.
Although plant-based meat has pros, there are also cons. Of course, this includes that the processing of plant-based meat alternatives removes the nutrients. The cons also include a high price tag.
