by Eliza Sterling

In the realm of nutrition and dietary choices, plant-based alternatives are usually seen as the greener side of the garden, with most of us believing they consist only of natural ingredients. However, new research begs to differ with such a configured consensus, revealing some surprising facts.

A recent survey involving 2,000 participants uncovers the misconceptions relating to the content and nature of plant-based products, including vegan-friendly meat substitutes. About 40% of consumers are under the impression these alternatives purely contain natural constituents, ignoring the potential presence of synthetic additives.

The insights gained suggest that a significant portion of the public thinks these trendy substitutes are majority artisanal, eschewing the highly-processed tag. Quite the contrast, 20% believe that all plant-based foods are green, and roughly 38% hold the idea that they are primarily made from everyday kitchen ingredients.

Inspection conducted by a vegan food manufacturer illustrates the stark contrast between public belief and reality. Visual representation of how some of these popular alternatives are produced revealed inscrutable components, including both natural and man-made elements.

Today, the trend of adopting a flexitarian diet, i.e., a primarily plant-based diet with the occasional inclusion of meat, is soaring. Consequently, a quarter of the new food products launched recently in the UK were labeled vegan. Therefore, understanding what plant-based options are created from is paramount.

The survey participants were questioned about their familiarity with ingredients commonly found in plant-based foods. Here, the majority struggled to recognize unusual ingredients such as the thickening agent methylcellulose, and the commonly used bulking agents, maltodextrin, and calcium alginate.

Additional myth-busting results from the study indicated that 27% of individuals associate plant-based foods with lower salt content and half believe they have less saturated fat than their traditional counterparts. A closer look at certain products might shatter these preconceived notions.

With consumers believing plant-based foods to be rich in nutrients and devoid of additives, it’s important to highlight the reality: you’ll find various products in the market fall under the umbrella of ‘processed’. Ensuring that what’s on the plate lives up to its ‘natural and healthy’ label, requires a quick scan of packaging and ingredients.

The study also revealed that 68% of the population has tasted plant-based items like tofu and faux meats. The perception of them being ‘more natural’ drives 25% towards these products. However, a third of the respondents admitted not inspecting the ingredients before checkout, while almost half do not review calorie content or nutritional facts.

To ensure a mindful choice, nutritionists recommend routinely scrutinizing both the nutritional profile and the ingredients list. Products with green and amber ‘traffic lights’ for fat, saturated fats, sugar, and salt are preferable. As for the ingredients, those resembling a normal kitchen recipe, instead of a science experiment, are the safest bet.

Being conscious of these details offers a tangible snapshot of what, in reality, you are consuming. So before you dig into your next plant-based meal, remember to take a moment and read between the lines.

diet, plant-based foods, vegan diet, lifestyle, nutrition, health, nutrition facts, flexitarian diet, processed food, natural ingredients, man-made additives, dietary options, health myths, nutrition label understanding, mindful eating