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 happy to reduce my meat intake, but I don't want to end up eating 'frankenfoods' (i.e. full of weird, man made highly processed ingredients) as a replacement.

I'm also keen to ensure I have an adequate intake of protein, especially those that are more readily obtained from meat, so that I don't miss out on essential amino acids.

I'd rather use smaller portions of meat and fish, than none at all.

My DP is a big meat-eater and I'm vegetarian - I've been introducing him to the joys of lentils, beans and tofu over the last few years to the point where he will now eat a meal without meat - win! Hopefully he will continue to reduce the amount he eats.

We don't eat a lot of substitute products (my DP won't touch them) apart from when I deliberately fancy something a bit junk-foody - like hot dogs or nuggets! Otherwise I mostly get my protein from tofu (luckily we have a good Chinese supermarket nearby) or from pulses etc.

I definitely think there's a place for the substitute - I used to cook with fake mince etc a lot, but as I've got better at cooking I don't rely on them any more. I think they're good if you're not a confident cook or are having trouble transitioning over from traditional meat dishes.

I'm vegetarian, as are three of my children (13, 6 and 7 months). My husband is flexitarian and reducing his meat intake more and more. My eldest is 18 and eats meat. He's in university but eats a more vegetarian diet when at home.
My six year old used to eat white meat but he's reverted back to vegetarianism through his own choice.
We use a lot of meat replacement products; veggie mince, sausages, chicken pieces etc. I'm not a massive fan of the stuff that's supposed to taste like meat, but a lot of my family enjoy it.
The reason for using meat free options is that it makes dinner prepping a lot easier and quicker.

I'd like to eventually move to a vegan diet because I can't stand the dairy industry and I want to be more environmentally conscious.

We now aim for 2 veggie and one fish day each week.
I'm not interested in meat substitutes as I'm also trying to minimise processed foods in my diet.
I'm gluten free so vegan would be pretty impossible for me and I always feel under par if I go 100% vegetarian despite eating healthily and avoiding processed foods.

Are you considering reducing your family’s meat intake?
We are already a very low meat intake family, so no.

What do you think about meat-free products?
Some (Cauldron sausages) are good. Most are a little disappointing. We are open to trying new things though.

Perhaps you’re already including meat free products in your family meals?
Only a few, maybe twice a month. Just to maintain variety and allow my DH to have his turn at cooking.

What influences your choice when it comes to meat free options?
Taste, cost and nutrition.

Speaking of nutrition, could not find it on your website. Sainsburys have it on theirs.

Everyone in our house is a meat eater, I think I would find it impossible to convert my DH and teenage DS'S.

I have cut down on meat myself this last year but certain family members are big meat eaters so I'd try these .
I'm interested to know if they would notice the difference !

My cousin is always trying to convert me but my digestion just does not get along well with most meat substitutes, bet she would love some of these new products though.

We generally have a meat free lunch but that's just through preferences, but have meat at teatime. We don't have any desire to lessen the amount of meat eaten in our house...

I would like to reduce meat but can't eat too much wheat or I get digestive upsets. A lot of meat substitutes are made of wheat gluten so these really don't work for me. We use Quorn from time to time but I would like to make more vegetarian foods. It's hard to balance everyone's requirements in the family.

My whole family are vegetarian. I don't really like fake meats, they make me think of real meat which grosses me out.

I’ve seen them but not tried them, would you recommend?

Myself and my three children are vegetarian, my husband eats meat. I am always looking for good protein sources that I don’t have to make from scratch so do use a lot of Quorn, soya and ready made items like veggie sausages and burgers. They’re quick and convenient and the kids find them easy to eat.
What I do worry about is the salt and fat levels of meat substitutes so look for good quality protein levels without too many added nasties.
Haven’t tried meatless farm yet - have seen it a couple of times but selling it with the meat mince means it’s not always on my radar when i’m Shopping for our vegetarian foods.

I have a vegetarian daughter and one committed to meat
Have vegetarian meals in the evening about twice a week
I don't like the highly processed nature of quorn and DD finds it eerily reminiscent of meat - I doubted myself once over a quorn chicken burger as she was questioning that it so like chicken and had to go through the bin to find the box
I simply don't think a vegetarian diet would give me enough variety or enough protein but that's just me

I'm vegetarian with two small vegetarian dc. We like the Linda McCartney sausages for bbqs, and the dc like the Quorn cocktail sausages and scotch eggs. I prefer to eat things made from beans and lentils dc but for speed and young children's snacks, having meat substitutes in

Oops posted too soon. Having meat substitutes in the fridge is really handy.

Newly vegan, haven't wanted meat substitute as there are so many different options involving veg, pulses etc

I’ve been vegan for 10 years and was vegetarian for over 20 before that.
I normally like to eat stuff that isn’t meat replica, so lots of beans and lentils. But we got the Meatless Farm burgers and mince as soon as it came out and it’s amazing. The mince makes the best vegan bolognese, chilli and cottage pie I’ve ever made and the burgers have a great taste and texture.

There has never been as much choice for vegans as now. This last year it’s really taken off.

We are looking at reducing meat consumption and I would buy a meat substitute if the taste and price are right. I’ve tried a few quorn products and tofu on a few occasions. I’m not convinced yet. I’m vegetarian and doing veganuary and finding it easier than expected. I’m hoping to stick to it long term.

The case for eating less meat is pretty strong. I just think we each need to find our way to it and everything that helps along the way must be a good thing.

I'm a long-term vegetarian but the rest of my family eat meat - but not too much as I do most of the cooking!
I like food with flavour, so only eat meat substitutes in well-seasoned or spiced dishes, like quorn chunks in a stir fry. But most of the time I stick to veg, pulses and dairy.
I never really liked the taste or texture of red meat before I was a veggie, so wouldn't eat a red meat substitute. The quorn/gammon family roast is vile. The quorn/chicken family roast is on the pleasant side of fine.

We are a family of happy healthy flexitarians just as happy with a chicken dinner, and a meat free bolognaise. I am though having more meat free days than ever. The range of meat alternatives is growing and if I substitute this for a meat product, it us unnoticed by my family. I feel a meat free alternative is better for digestion, has no harmful fats and is a good protein source for my growing family.

I like quorn but would like more variety - was better when shops sold more Linda McCartney stuff. ASDA is surprisingly good for veggie frozen food, their own brand. Would be interested in the products the thread is about.

My family of 5 eat meat, but only about twice a week, so I am always open to trying meat alternatives. I enjoy Linda McCartney sausages and use Morrisons own brand mince alternative occasionally, but most often I use lentils, chickpeas and so on in things like curry, chilli or pasta dishes.

DS2 is vegan as it’s better for the planet as cows are huge methane producers and Im now trying to eat vegan food a minimum of 16 meals out of 21 and only vegan snack drinks etc. my husband will eat some vegan meals but is a died in the wool carnivore ditto DS1. I cook all meals from scratch it’s been much easier than I thought. The other day I recently tried Tofu in a stir fry I thought it was revolting; chewy tastleless lumps there is no way my DH or DS1 would eat it. I’d love to find and acceptable alternative to meat for them.
When shopping I particularly look for sustainably produced preferably organic food.

Not really specifically looking to reduce meat intake - it's comparatively low to most we know - but we are trying to expand from our food rut which does seem to lead to more meat-free options.

We use enjoy many meat-free products - we meat-free mince and sausages more often than we use than typical meat versions, normally just ASDA own brands or what we can get from farmfoods, burgers is probably an even mix of meat and meat-free versions. Still haven't found a good frankfurter that my daughter enjoys along with her scrambled eggs, the meat-free versions of those tend to be quite bland and an odd texture.

Price influences a lot, especially for ready made products rather than buying beans or seeds I can do many things with, as does the amount of protein (if I'm replacing meat, then I want a similar macronutrient profile at least). I'd pay more for local UK products rather than sourced overseas or if it used nuts or beans or a mix up something other than mostly soy or wheat. As my goal is to have a varied diet, having more wheat or soy which seem to be everything is really unappealing. Recyclable containers also gets my attention, along with macronutrients - particularly protein - it was a big part of choosing quite a few of my foods when expanding my eating habits.