Mumsnet users share their thoughts on meat free options

[JustineBMumsnet]

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Whether you’re thinking of reducing your meat consumption for environmental or health reasons, or if you or a member of your family is vegetarian or vegan, the use of meat free options is on the rise. With this in mind, The Meatless Farm would like to hear your thoughts on reducing meat intake and meat-free options.

Here’s what The Meatless Farm has to say: “With an estimated 22m flexitarians in the UK seeking to reduce their meat consumption, there is an increased appetite for healthy, protein-rich alternatives. After years of research, the team behind Meatless Farm have created a range of products that not only deliver on nutrition, they also taste delicious.”

Are you considering reducing your family’s meat intake? What do you think about meat-free products? Perhaps you’re already including meat free products in your family meals? What influences your choice when it comes to meat free options?

All who post on the thread below will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Standard Insight Terms and Conditions apply

I just don't like the taste of them x

We are all meat eaters but I have been taking on board the environmental implications of eating so much meat, I regularly do meat free meals - the spag bol is made meat free, and to be honest i was quite amazed at a lot of the meat free products available and how good they are. For things like mince where once its in a sauce or gravy you dont really know the diffrence.

I also have cut back on the amount of meat we eat in a meal, keeping portions low and bulking up with alternatives such as lentils, split peas and chopped squash in a lot of the casseroles/curries and other meals i make where replacing a third of the meat doesnt really make much difference (the man is very skeptical of any meat free or reduced meat meals so I try to hide most of my meat free stuff)!

I've just had a look at The Meatless Farm's products, and I have to say that they're the most appetizing looking non-meat substitutes that I've seen so far, so on that front I'd definitely be tempted to try them out.
I'm not aware of what they cost, but that would be the next biggest factor in whether or not I'd try them.

Like other posters have mentioned, I'd prefer to use natural alternatives like lentils, etc, rather than buying fake meat products, and that would definitely be the cheaper option. I also do worry about products with long lists of ingredients, although it all seems to be natural stuff.

I think that in order to get my oh on board, I'd probably have to start off using products like this that resemble/imitate what he's used to eating.
It would then come down to price as well as the taste and texture of it, as to whether or not we'd continue using them, and how often they featured on our menu.

I often cook meat-free meals for variety anyway, though we do eat meat/fish as a household , also our DC have several veggie friends so it’s good to have meat-free cooking options in case one of then drops in.
Quality/taste of meat substitutes vary hugely by brand and source so I try anything once (!) but there are definite favourites in our house. Worst thing are the watery crumbly mess of some soya “meat chunks” types, or slimy tofu. The best substitutes are just things that are distinctly themselves, rather than being a limp imitation of meat.

We eat quite a bit of quorn, makes for a nice change!

Not really looking to reduce meat in my diet.

We rarely eat meat. Generally just isn't something that appeals and mostly our diet is veggie meals. We eat a very healthy and varied diet and occasionally have fish. We might eat meat just a handful of times each year and it would tend to be chicken in a curry. Last time I had sausages (lovely waitrose lincolnshire ones that I craved) I came to the conclusion that I could take it or leave it. So I'll probably not bother again.I am aware of the environmental issues and do tend to consider those things but when it comes to meat it just isn't really that factor that effected it for me.

Love vegetables anyway and often don't eat meat too much. Don't like meat free products generally about the best is Quorn in a pasta Bolognaise!

I am pescitarian so do not eat meat only fish. I do not eat any meat substitutes at all (mainly through lack of trying them), but have a varied diet with fish, veggies and salads.

not really considering reducing as we try to varie what we eat everyday alot of pasta, fish ,veg and potato dishes and have meat once maybe twice a week

We do meat free Monday- I don’t like meat substitutes I don’t see the point so will do something like veg lasagne- kids love it !

I'd been a vegetarian since March 1996 but last year went vegan but I'll never force my family to follow suit but my great niece, who is only 5, rarely eats meat, she loves her fruit & vegetables the best & recently said to my sister's partner 'What's that?' 'It's steak' he said. 'What's steak?' 'It's a cow!' 'A cow? But a cow's an anima', you can't eat an animal!!!'
Maybe she'll be a vegan or vegetarian like me after all

Having been introduced to a lovely lady who is a vegetarian I decided to try out some products lately and I have thoroughly enjoyed them - so much so that we are eating more and more vegetarian options in our house now and have also started to embrace fish more too.

I am trying to reduce the families intake of red meat mainly, we substitute Quorn in Shepherds & Cottage pie, but I do wish that there was more of a financial incentive to choose Quorn

Not because I want to cut out meat but I want to promote more vegetables and fruit in our diet

Not really as we don't eat lamb at all, very little beef, maybe pork once a week and chicken twice with a fish dish and a meat free day already.

I'm battling for 3 days a week to be meat free in our house but it's not easy as somehow some of the family complain that it seems like there is something missing off the plate without meat. I shall persevere. I absolutely refuse to use meat free products as there is ample available without having to find a substitute for meat.

We reduced meat intake to 3 times a week and try to eat more fish instead now.

I'm not trying to reduce my meat in take but I'm more aware of way food comes from. I'm growing my own fruit and veg so lets see how it goes

My little family are big meat eaters. I have recently tried to limit to only 4 meat meals a week and the other 3 veggie. So far so good!

I am not really sure about meat free products to be honest - it kind of seems weird to me to stop eating meat and then by a product that has a similar feel and texture to meat to replace it with. I think my kids would also find it weird. I think when I look for alternative products I look for things that are obviously different by look so that they are easily distinguishable as I like to be honest with my kids about what we are eating.

I like to substitute mushrooms instead of meat , it generally is a good alternative. Also, quorn is a great alternative in spag Bol and chilli con carne.

My husband and me are both vegetarian we both haven't eaten meat or fish in over 20 years. We have 3 children and we have let them decide if they want to eat meat or fish however my home meals will be vegetarian as I refuse to cook different meals for each child. Two of my children are vegetarian and my nearly 4 year old loves meat...... however theres time yet to convert him!, we eat lots of soya and quorn and each a varied healthy diet rich in fruit and veg.... and the odd chocolate!

My youngest is vegetarian, so it makes it easier to reduce the amount of meat we eat so we don't have to cook two meals each day. With one or two exceptions I find meat substitutions horrible and prefer not to use them.

I eat meat but try to have at least 2 or 3 meat free days each week. We love pasta but I also buy meat free frozen products. I like ones that have a lot of flavour so cheese and garlic or pesto. I also like making meat free dishes like mushroom stroganoff and ratatouille