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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It comes down to availability and cost in the first instance and then taste because I've got fussy eaters and there is no point wasting time money an effort on it

From a health point if view soya is bad for my health (thyroid issues it's contra indicated) and the kids just don't get along with unusual food (so I hide food) I need to know at a glance can we eat it can we afford it packaging must tell me this as I work full time and have limited time for shopping

We do have a least two nights per week vegetarian love the Lynda McCartney sausages and the mozzarella burgers are my family's favourite

We definitely want to find more meat free recipes, using up pulses and grains as a great substitute and influencing the children to try lots of great new foods, it’s been a really fun experience so far trying new foods together.

Some of the family are vegetarians. So mixed here. For the non vegetarians wr have cut down considerably the amount of meat we eat and do feel better for it. We eat quite a lot of fish and plenty of veg.

I don't mind home-made meat free meals but not a fan of ready meals, we eat a mix of meat based and vegetarian meals and don't have any plans to change

I am considering reducing my meat intake but not sure if meat free products taste very nice.

As a non vegetarian family, I try to keep us all eating a balanced diet, so include fish and prawns, eggs, cheese and vegetables as well as meat. We don't have meat every day, in fact we love having homemade chunky vegetable soups as a meal, and cheese is extremely versatile. I am more concerned with cutting out processed foods of all kinds, than reducing our meat intake.

i'm not trying to reduce overall meat intake, but i am seeking balance and the cut down of rubbish, heavily processed meats. Cooking from scratch and using good cuts of meat i don't have a problem with, but making sure the veggie intake and having some good veggie dishes is on the agenda.

Our eldest daughter has been veggie, vegan and now back to veggie. Not really found it a problem as it's simply an extra saucepan or oven tray. She has the same sauce, but without the meat. I've found it quite hard to find meat-free meals for the oven that aren't ready made or things like quorn kievs. This encourages me to cook from scratch more!
As a whole family we eat veggie at least once a week, often 3x simply because what we're eating doesn't depend on meat to be tasty or nutritional. Saves cash to!

We used to have a veggie meal once a week and now just have meat twice a week.

I think gradually changing things has helped as if we'd just stopped eating meat, certain family members would have struggled! It's also given me time to find more tasty veggie recipes.

I think meat free products are amazing! completely guilt free and a great addition to the family shop!

im vegeterian and wife/mother of 2 so the meat free options are handy to cook a big family meal - like lasagna, cottage pie or spaghetti bolognese

sometimes even veggie sausages make the dinner plate all roudn even if these are a little harder to discuise from the meat free mince

would love to reduce my family intake but they are so fussy and hate trying new things.

We already eat the minimum amount of meat, but don't want to go completely meat free. We're open to meat-free products as long as they don't contain unnatural ingredients like artificial additives or unethical ingredients like palm oil from non-renewable sources etc.

No we’re definitely meat eaters but each to their own

My stepmum is vegetarian, she stayed with us for a few weeks over Christmas, I was worried about it at first, but there are so many products out there now that its really easy. I don't think its as difficult as it once was and the last few weeks we have been having meat-free meals.

Definitely cutting down as everyone likes Vegetarian burgers, sausages etc so probably only eating meat once or twice a week now.

I'm very open to meat free products as an alternative.

We eat a lot of vegetarian dishes and enjoy them but I'm not keen on the taste of quorn.

Are you considering reducing your family’s meat intake? I was already vegetarian, and went vegan at the start of January. My husband is a hardened meat eater, but is consciously cutting down. He will happily eat meat-free alternatives with me most nights now.

What do you think about meat-free products? I think that the ranges now are amazing, and it’s great to have choice. I worry about how ‘processed’ some of them are though, as good nutrition is very important to me.

Perhaps you’re already including meat free products in your family meals? Yes- vegan quorn, and the M&S plant kitchen range are current favourites here. We will always try something new when we see it though! The only thing we won’t eat are heavily nut-based products.

What influences your choice when it comes to meat free options? Anything that is ‘different’, I will definitely buy. I have a preference for products with good nutritional value (veg/ protein content high), etc. Anything that is clearly labelled vegan makes it 100% more likely for me to buy- so many vegetarian options are vegan, but not clearly labelled as such.

My oh and myself are both vegans and we tend to cook from scratch mostly, however there are some meat free products that we do use from time to time for convenience as long as they are not overly processed.

The more that nutritional and tasty meat alternatives are available the more that people will naturally give them a try and likely quietly switch.

I've been a pescatarian for a few years now. Don't like the texture of meat so don't use substitute products.

We have a fairly balaced diet without too much meat so I have no plans to make any changes. I just get exasperated with some 'expert' saying one thing is good/bad for you and the next 'expert' says the exact opposite.

Everything in moderation and not too much sweet stuff.

I'm vegetarian and have been most of my adult life but my children aren't. They choose meat if we eat out and also at school but are happy to eat veggie at home.

I commonly use quorn mince or pieces or sausages and tend to avoid soya products so always interested in alternatives that are "meaty"

We often have meatless alternatives, which started with a family member being veggie and we ended up enjoying them now. We regularly have Quorn products as we prefer the texture and actually they are often cheaper too. We also really like being able to cut down on meat due to the ethical reasons.