Every week we explain an ingredient from the weekly menu of the VROUW Lekker in je vel challenge. This week we deal with: meat substitutes.
The word says it all: meat substitutes are meat substitutes. Examples of meat substitutes are legumes, nuts, peanuts, kernels, eggs and dairy. Products made from legumes, such as tofu or tempeh, are a good substitute for meat. There are also ready-made meat substitutes for sale in the store, such as a vegetarian burger or schnitzel. Just like meat, meat substitutes provide protein, iron and vitamin B1 and/or vitamin B12.
Animal products
According to dietician Marieke from team doctor Tamara, it is important to eat a varied diet in order to get enough and different nutrients. “Only animal products contain vitamin B12. Legumes, nuts, peanuts and kernels contain protein, iron and vitamin B1, but no B12.
Eggs and dairy do contain this. People who eat animal products get more than enough vitamin B12. If you’re vegetarian, but you do eat dairy or eggs on a regular basis, you’re probably still getting enough vitamin B12. Vegans do not use animal products, so they are advised to take vitamin B12 as a supplement.”
Edited
Whether a meat substitute is better than meat depends on what you’re looking at. Dietician Marieke: “Meat substitutes are much more sustainable than meat. In that sense, a meat substitute is definitely better. There is also a link between eating red meat and an increased risk of cancer. It is therefore advisable to limit this.
The ready-to-eat meat substitutes are often processed. Everything has been added, such as salt and even sugar. We do not use these kinds of ready-to-eat meat substitutes in our weekly menus. Team doctor Tamara prefers to use as many fresh and pure products as possible without unnecessary additives.”
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