Better than the real thing? You bet!
Over 50 per cent of the UK diet is made up of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) – more than in any other European country, and in the US, it’s nearly 60 per cent. Sausages, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, burgers, bacon and sliced meats… we can’t get enough of them!
Eating lots of UPFs is linked to a higher risk of disease and death, mostly due to foods such as sugary drinks and processed meats. But have you considered trying plant-based meats? Here’s the good news…
Plant-based meats are an exception to most UPFs in that they are generally healthier than the foods they were designed to replace, with more nutrients, fewer calories and more beneficial plant compounds. Dr Michael Greger says, “Rather than contributing to the concern, plant-based meats (PBM) may provide a solution to the UPF problem”.
Plant-based meats can help you feel fuller for longer and may help with weight control and gut health, and lower inflammation. They also come with a lower cancer risk and better food safety in terms of food poisoning, antibiotic resistance and industrial pollutants associated with meat and fish. Replacing some meat with plant-based meats could also lower LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol, potentially saving lives and healthcare costs.
An important question when making health claims for certain foods, often overlooked in industry-funded studies, is “compared to what?” Of course, whole plant foods are still the best, but plant-based meats are an exception among UPFs in that they are better than the foods they were designed to replace.
Greger M. 2025. Are ultra-processed plant-based meats better than the alternative? Clinical Nutrition Open Science. 61, 241-252.
About the author
Dr. Justine Butler
Justine joined Viva! in 2005 after graduating from Bristol University with a PhD in molecular biology. After working as a campaigner, then researcher and writer, she is now Viva!’s head of research and her work focuses on animals, the environment and health. Justine’s scientific training helps her research and write both in-depth scientific reports, such as White Lies and the Meat Report, as well as easy-to-read factsheets and myth-busting articles for consumer magazines and updates on the latest research. Justine also recently wrote the Vegan for the Planet guide for Viva!’s Vegan Now campaign.
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