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'm making a determined effort to use less animal products, less plastic and locally sourced foods wherever possible. I don't want to use manufactured meat substitutes nor do I want to buy food in plastic boxes with film lids.

I would be interested to know the nutritional values of your products as that is important to me when choosing food for my family.

What we find as problem with many meat-free products on the market are:
-low in protein - so often meatless options are simply vegetables, which are generally not high in protein - to replace meat, you need a high-protein replacement.
-lacking a main-ingredient replacement - we prefer meatless meals that aren't just meals-with-the-meat-removed, for us the meat needs to be replaced by something - eg meatless mince, soy chunks, tofu, tempeh, veggie sausages, etc. Just a plain vegetable meal is quite boring (well it's ok sometimes, but we generally prefer a fuller meal with a 'main' protein ingredient).

Are you considering reducing your family’s meat intake?
Yes, me and DH are already vegan but I'd like to make more meat free meals for DC

What do you think about meat-free products?
I'm not too keen on them myself. But DH really likes them. I donlike some burgers, not keen on anything Quorn though.

Perhaps you’re already including meat free products in your family meals? What influences your choice when it comes to meat free options?
All natural ingredients. Organic even better.

I've been vegetarian for more than 30 years, and have no desire to eat anything realistically meat-like, and in fact find fake beefburgers and so on rather nauseating (I don't buy them but am occasionally gven them while eating elseswhere). There are so many delicious, authentic, genuinely vegetarian foods out there that I don't see the point.

I've been veggie for many years. Back in the day the only meat substitutes available were dried TVP and packet mixes for sausages and burgers.
It's great that there are so many choices available now. I know not everyone likes them, but they're a great way to transition to becoming veggie or vegan and also great standby for quick meals.
I always like to try new products, but that mince looks like a pack of worms to me, which is a little too meaty for my liking! A bugbear of mine is the labelling of meat free products to include the animal/meat it's supposed to represent, incase the consumer is too stupid to know!

Hum, just looked at their website:"You can even add a bit of bacon if you’re feeling meaty!"
Strange serving suggestion for a company suggesting that meat-free is healthier and better for the environment!

I used to have a lot of meat free or meat substitute products such as Quorn or The Linda McCartney meals. However I started to find that I prefer just to use no meat substitute and instead have meals which consist of alternatives, so for instance i'll use baked beans or extra cheese/avocado or coleslaw. I find this more cost effective.

My daughter loves the vegetarian hot dogs at school so I may try to buy some to have at home. Generally we are trying to eat less meat at home but I usually do this by preparing veggie foods from scratch.

We eat quite a bit of Quorn and Linda McCartney. I like the convenience of this sort of stuff for “easy oven food” days. We have recently discovered the Iceland “No Bull” burgers which are quite expensive but really good.

I have 3 totally vegetarian children, the oldest has recently turned vegan. They and DP do eat a lot of quorn and other meat substitutes, I tend to cook veggie food that isn't meat substitute - vegetarian curry, beanburgers, etc. I think there's a big market for the meat substitutes, it broadens the choice for vegetarians. It makes life easier.

We went vegetarian two years ago for mainly environmental reasons. I prefer intentionally veggie meals, rather than meat substitutes, but have enjoyed some of the new burgers that have been coming out with quite a good texture and taste - can’t remember the brand name but they’re in Tesco!

I'm veggie but my family eat meat. They're usually happy with meat free substitutions and prefer dishes like lasagne with veggie mince since it's less greasy.
One thing is that often meat free substitutions are hidden in the meat aisle. I get that the purpose is to encourage meat eaters to try it, but as a veggie I don't go down the meat aisles as it's gross!

Are you considering reducing your family’s meat intake? No. I don't eat a huge amount anyway and only eat decent quality local produce

What do you think about meat-free products? If people want to buy them that is up to them,

Perhaps you’re already including meat free products in your family meals? No we aren't

What influences your choice when it comes to meat free options? Nothing as I don't want to go meat free, I love eating chicken and bacon

We're trying hard to reduce our meat intake, so a cost effective meat free alternative would be good. We eat a lot of Quorn mince, LM sausages and really like Beyond burgers, but at £5.50 for 2 they're a treat.
Keeping meat subs low in fat and additives is a big selling point for us.

I've been veggie now for quite a few years and go vegan for a few days quite often!
I love meat alternatives and can often find some amazing ones! A lovely homemade veggie bolognese is my favourite thing to make on a Sunday.

My partner (huge meat eater!) loves it too, though it does give him gas, and has even switched from real burgers to Linda McCartneys pulled pork ones!

In regards to choice, I go for the ones with little ingredients and no added crap. It's hard these days to find a veggie/vegan ready meal that's not full of sugars/fats/salt. Also factor price in as well and bulk buy when things I like are on sale in the freezer aisle.

Are you considering reducing your family’s meat intake?
Two of my four children are vegetarian so we do try to reduce our meat intake. We also when having meat have a smaller amount.
What do you think about meat-free products?
Meat free products can be very nice. They can be quick and easy to cook and there is more and more choice coming out all the time.
Perhaps you’re already including meat free products in your family meals?
We also have a meat free version with dinners for our two vegetarians. When we go on holiday we tend to try and just eat meat free to save prep time of 2 meals.
What influences your choice when it comes to meat free options?
The product has to look nice, taste nice and not be too expensive.

We often cook without meat or a meat substitute. Plenty of flavour and spices etc and we never miss meat.

I just bought the mince, not tried it yet. For health and environmental reasons we are cutting down. Loving roasted cauliflower at the moment.

We eat very little meat and the only ‘meat substitute’ we buy is tofu; otherwise we cook from fresh. Lentils are a great swap for mince, and we eat lots of eggs, nuts, pulses etc for protein. We’re both pretty active (train 3x a week cycling or running) and don’t seem to be wasting away or getting ill - I don’t like ready-made meat substitutes generally as I like to use whole foods and be in control of how much salt/sugar goes into meals.

I also prefer making vegetarian recipes that showcase veggie ingredients (tend to be delicious), rather than trying to make a meat recipe using a substitute (tend to feel a bit disappointing).

Also, I’m aware I sound smug. Sorry.

Funny, I've just ordered Joe Wick's veggie book from the book people at school today! Definitely need to cut down on meat.

I'm a flexitarian - aspiring to follow a plant-based diet most of the time. The rest of my family are meat-eaters, but as I'm the only cook, they do eat plant-based meals quite often at home (not at school obviously).

Are you considering reducing your family’s meat intake?

Yes, have already done so but would like to do more.

What do you think about meat-free products?

I prefer to celebrate vegetables and pulses than look for "meat substitutes". Will often chuck in a tin of chick peas to pad out a meat-based meal. Can't see the point in food that's pretending to be something it isn't - fake cheese, no thanks, and I'm happy with a bean burger rather than a fake-meat burger.

Perhaps you’re already including meat free products in your family meals?

Never going to eat Quorn or processed products like that. The closest we come to that type of eating would be Tofu, occasionally.

What influences your choice when it comes to meat free options?

Must be as un-processed a possible, taste good, preferably organic, and contain no additives or preservatives.

Been vegetarian for over 10 years now, whole family. One my reasons is I don't actually like meat so often find meat free substitutes equally off putting but can see why they'd be good for people who have that mindset that a meal isn't a meal without meat.
I am sure there are some decent products out there but some are probably not really any good for you and probably not particularly virtuous either.
I prefer to replace with pulses for meals like chilli and curry. Spaghetti bolgnese tastes lovely with the sainsburys own 'meat free mince'. So much nicer than quorn.
Companies trying to make money by over-complicating vegetarianism is a little irritating but if it ultimately reduces meat consumption and importantly shifts the attitude towards meat for future generations then I don't really mind who profits.

Having quorn "meatballs" tonight. They're OK but I prefer meals based around vegetables & pulses to meat substitutes.

We are a vegan household with s baby and a teenager. We find that ready processed good is generally a bit bland on the whole. We also feel a bit squeamish about meat substitutes that are very close to resembling meat in either taste or texture. But some people like that and if it encourages less meat consumption I'm glad they have the choice

I’d definitely like to reduce the family’s meat consumption.
One of the factors for me in meat replacement products is that I want them not to be articifial and to understand where they come from and what they are made of. Taste and texture is also important. No point making it if the kids won’t eat it!