Nutritional Assessment of Plant-Based Meat Alternatives: A Comparison of Nutritional Information of Plant-Based Meat Alternatives in Spanish Supermarkets
Since the classification of processed meat as carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2015, an increase in consumption of plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) has been observed worldwide. This occurs in a context characterized by concern for health, animal welfare,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Nutrients |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/6/1325 |
| _version_ | 1797609746996396032 |
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| author | Lucía Rizzolo-Brime Alicia Orta-Ramirez Yael Puyol Martin Paula Jakszyn |
| author_facet | Lucía Rizzolo-Brime Alicia Orta-Ramirez Yael Puyol Martin Paula Jakszyn |
| author_sort | Lucía Rizzolo-Brime |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Since the classification of processed meat as carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2015, an increase in consumption of plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) has been observed worldwide. This occurs in a context characterized by concern for health, animal welfare, and sustainability; however, evidence of their nutritional quality is still limited. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate the nutritional profile and processing degree of PBMAs available in Spain. In 2020, products from seven Spanish supermarkets were analyzed for their nutritional content and ingredients. Of the 148 products, the majority were low in sugars but moderate in carbohydrates, total and saturated fat, and high in salt. The main vegetable protein sources were soy (91/148) and wheat gluten (42/148). Comparatively, 43/148 contained animal protein, the most common being egg. Overall, PBMAs had a long list of ingredients and additives, and they were classified as ultra-processed foods (UPFs) according to the NOVA system. This study shows that the PBMAs available in Spanish supermarkets have a variable nutritional composition within and between categories. Further research is needed to determine if replacing meat with these UPFs could be a good alternative towards healthier and more sustainable dietary patterns. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T06:05:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e6f50e27360a475baaf7c2f1d11b6201 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6643 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T06:05:39Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nutrients |
| spelling | doaj.art-e6f50e27360a475baaf7c2f1d11b62012023-11-17T13:04:14ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432023-03-01156132510.3390/nu15061325Nutritional Assessment of Plant-Based Meat Alternatives: A Comparison of Nutritional Information of Plant-Based Meat Alternatives in Spanish SupermarketsLucía Rizzolo-Brime0Alicia Orta-Ramirez1Yael Puyol Martin2Paula Jakszyn3Unit of Nutrition and Cancer, Cancer Epidemiology Research Programme, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, SpainBlanquerna School of Health Sciences, Ramon Llull University, 08025 Barcelona, SpainUnit of Nutrition and Cancer, Cancer Epidemiology Research Programme, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, SpainUnit of Nutrition and Cancer, Cancer Epidemiology Research Programme, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, SpainSince the classification of processed meat as carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2015, an increase in consumption of plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) has been observed worldwide. This occurs in a context characterized by concern for health, animal welfare, and sustainability; however, evidence of their nutritional quality is still limited. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate the nutritional profile and processing degree of PBMAs available in Spain. In 2020, products from seven Spanish supermarkets were analyzed for their nutritional content and ingredients. Of the 148 products, the majority were low in sugars but moderate in carbohydrates, total and saturated fat, and high in salt. The main vegetable protein sources were soy (91/148) and wheat gluten (42/148). Comparatively, 43/148 contained animal protein, the most common being egg. Overall, PBMAs had a long list of ingredients and additives, and they were classified as ultra-processed foods (UPFs) according to the NOVA system. This study shows that the PBMAs available in Spanish supermarkets have a variable nutritional composition within and between categories. Further research is needed to determine if replacing meat with these UPFs could be a good alternative towards healthier and more sustainable dietary patterns.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/6/1325plant-based meat alternativesprotein alternativesmeat analoguesnutritional qualitysustainability |
| spellingShingle | Lucía Rizzolo-Brime Alicia Orta-Ramirez Yael Puyol Martin Paula Jakszyn Nutritional Assessment of Plant-Based Meat Alternatives: A Comparison of Nutritional Information of Plant-Based Meat Alternatives in Spanish Supermarkets Nutrients plant-based meat alternatives protein alternatives meat analogues nutritional quality sustainability |
| title | Nutritional Assessment of Plant-Based Meat Alternatives: A Comparison of Nutritional Information of Plant-Based Meat Alternatives in Spanish Supermarkets |
| title_full | Nutritional Assessment of Plant-Based Meat Alternatives: A Comparison of Nutritional Information of Plant-Based Meat Alternatives in Spanish Supermarkets |
| title_fullStr | Nutritional Assessment of Plant-Based Meat Alternatives: A Comparison of Nutritional Information of Plant-Based Meat Alternatives in Spanish Supermarkets |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nutritional Assessment of Plant-Based Meat Alternatives: A Comparison of Nutritional Information of Plant-Based Meat Alternatives in Spanish Supermarkets |
| title_short | Nutritional Assessment of Plant-Based Meat Alternatives: A Comparison of Nutritional Information of Plant-Based Meat Alternatives in Spanish Supermarkets |
| title_sort | nutritional assessment of plant based meat alternatives a comparison of nutritional information of plant based meat alternatives in spanish supermarkets |
| topic | plant-based meat alternatives protein alternatives meat analogues nutritional quality sustainability |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/6/1325 |
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