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

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We're trying to reduce our meat consumption, and do use meat substitutes occasionally, however I would love to see more veggie options that didn't rely on them. Things do seem to be improving and there seem to be more pulse and nut based options available, which is great.

My children and I don't eat that much meat anyway ( my partner loves meat too much to ever give it up - he pretty much has meat for every meal and doesn't think it's a proper meal without it). I eat a lot of fish and vegan food (love falafel, veggie sausages etc, but not the meat substitute ones). I just let the kids choose for themselves what they would like to eat. They are fussy eaters and have only just started eating fish so like to let them discover for themselves what they do and don't like.

I only eat fish as I cannot digest meat. DH and DC eat meat - but we do eat a lot of fish.

Are you considering reducing your family’s meat intake?
Yes - but finding acceptable substitutes is tricky,

What do you think about meat-free products?
It seems odd that meat free products try to mimic the meat containing products - I sometimes wonder if they could be more creative.

Perhaps you’re already including meat free products in your family meals?
Not yet - but I do e.g. substitute carrot/veg for some of the mince in bolognese.

My family eat everything in moderation. I don't think they eat too much meat as I mix the food choices I give them regularly. If one of My kids decided to go vegetarian or vegan I would totally support them.

We eat meat a few times per week. We tend to substitute with things like halloumi however. There has never been an appeal for me in getting products that mimic meat. That said, I have always enjoyed them when eating them if cooked for me.

I've been vegetarian (admittedly with a few fish-eating lapses when travelling) since I was 11. I'm now trying to be mostly vegan, but I still have the odd bit of milk in tea or coffee, and eat eggs from our hens.
My husband is vegetarian but the children are not. We get free-range chicken for our son (he is a very fussy eater). We sometimes have Quorn or vegetarian/vegan burgers and pies (usually Biona, Linda McCartney or Fry's). Higgidy Pies are also delicious. I will have to see if they do any vegan pies.

We've cut down on the amount of meat we consume over the past few years and now will eat a vegetarian or vegan meal about four times a week in the evening. I never buy substitutes though, I use vegetables, nuts, and sometimes tofu, but nothing like quorn. I'd just use chicken etc rather than a substitute.

I would like to have a couple of meat free nights a week but I've got fussy eaters and I lack inspiration.

We are definitely reducing it. I'm not vegetarian but I do hate the thought of killing animals. My youngest loooooves burgers so we have been trying the meat free versions which he still likes so where possible we replace meat burgers with vegetarian friendly burgers. We do eat lots of Quorn already which is very quick and easy for mid week meals when the kids get home from school.

We are already eating less Red Meat, there are many alternatives just as nutritious, Pasta is a firm favourite along with Chicken, we have also increased our Fruit & Veg.

I tend to use veggie ready meals for convenience.

Vegetarian here. Love Cauldron sausages but not a huge fan of products trying too hard to be ‘meaty’.

Will not be reducing our meat consumption. In fact have started buying from the local butchers as much better quality than supermarket.

We've always tried to have a couple of meat free days a week. However my 9yo DD has recently become vegetarian so I'm making a conscious effort to try more things. We have tried a few Quorn substitutes- chicken nuggets are good, sausages are nicer than expected (although I usually try the 'Cauldron ' make. Not a big fan of the mince. I made a nice aubergine curry the other day which was rather lovely!
I think it's good to think more about where our food comes from - have had lots of conversations lately with dd about this which is interesting. We eat very little red meat so could easily give that up but we do eat a lot of chicken and fish so want to continue to do so.

I'm vegan and I feed my children vegan meals but when they get a little older and they decide they want to eat meat and dairy that's fine. I ate it when I was younger so I feel they should be able to make their own choices.

My family is not vegetarian but we do eat lots of meat-free meals. I have never cooked with a meat-substitute and would like to try it...in fact, the other day I was considering using tofu and seeing whether DH and my 3 DSs would notice. I tend to use chick peas (in curry) or veg to substitute. But I am stuck in an originality rut and would love to be more adventurous!

We have been doing at least one meat free family meal per week for a few years. I started with little swaps and done easy meat sub meals like spaghetti quornaise, when no one noticed I just upped the frequency. DH is firm meat eater so don't think we'd as a family be vegetarian or vegan but still would like to lower meat consumption and vary our diet, particularly getting foods with hidden veg for the kids.

Not a veggie anymore but exH is and I cook veggie meals for the family when he's here. Kids aren't veggies but I cook without meat 3-4 nights/week anyway.
ExH likes meat substitute products but I don't. Maybe this is is because I'm not a proper veggie, so I eat actual meat when I want it. Mind you, when I was a full veggie I didn't eat meat substitutes anyway as I just don't like them.
I made chilli using soya for years before the kids realised it wasn't beef mince. They only twigged when they realised Dad was eating it. They are teens aswell, so not littlies who are more easily fooled.

I'm vegetarian but struggle to find meat free alternatives for meals.

My husband is converting too purely because he says he just doesn't like the thought of meat anymore. The difference is he will happily eat Quorn or another meat substitute, however for me it's the texture of meat that I can't stand - the meat substitutes tend to have a very similar texture and still make me feel really ill when eating them so I avoid them

For me I always look for something vegetarian that doesn't contain a meat substitute and that is just vegetarian in its own right rather than trying to replicate everything about meat. Of this there is very little option without it being something frozen or the generic "stuffed mushrooms" or something that don't tend to go with everything!

I definitely think the vegetable needs to be celebrated more and made into dishes or products in its own right rather than just trying to copy meat for those who have chosen not to eat meat. As I said for me these products are a total write off because it's the texture of meat I can't stand

We are meat eaters, but are having more meat free days

We eat small portions of meat. I enjoy meat free but not the others in the family. I don't care so much for pretend meat rather vegetables and nuts instead.

We decided to try vegetarianism for a week and see what happens. So far we’ve eaten Quorn. And lots of fruit and vegetables. I want to try the VK products and the the supermarket stuff too. I’ll admit I am not strict when I go out for meals. When I cook for myself I am strict however.

People need to eat more vegetables, not more processed crap. Meat replacement products are never good for you.

Meat substitutes are not something I’d try I’d rather just have a meat free meal with lots of veg such as pasta and lots of veg with cream cheese and pesto. I could never be vegetarian but would happily cut down on meat

Catering for a pescatarian who is allergic to nuts and can't tolerate too much dairy, a coeliac toddler who is as fussy as toddlers are, a picky omnivore and someone who is teetering on the brink of giving up meat can be tricky! Healthy meat alternatives that taste good and are flexible enough to incorporate into tried and tested favourite meals will always be welcome in this house!