Meat Alternatives
Buying & Storing | Using | Nutritional Value | Recipes
eat alternatives (also called meat analogs) are non-meat foods made from soy protein and other ingredients mixed together to simulate various kinds of meat. They were first introduced in this country when a product called Soy Bean Meat was produced in Tennessee in 1922. The Seventh-Day Adventist church was instrumental in the early development of new meat alternatives in order to provide meat substitutes for its largely vegetarian membership.
Today, there are literally hundreds of different products that fit this category. Though they are made from a variety of ingredients, most use soy protein; some are made from tofu.
Some meat alternatives are designed to taste like meat. They can be flavored to taste like beef, pork and chicken or even tuna fish and can be made into products such as imitation hot dogs, deli meats and burgers. Others, like some of the burgers on the market, are intended to be used in place of meat, but don't necessarily taste or look like it.
Buying & Storing Meat & Dairy Alternatives
Meat alternatives are sold as frozen, canned or dried foods. The frozen and canned foods often are completely prepared and just need to be heated. They generally require the addition of water and sometimes other ingredients, and they require cooking.
Some meat alternatives are available in regular grocery stores. They may be sold in the frozen food section of the store or with the "specialty" food items. Sometimes they are found in the meat section of the store. For example, tofu hot dogs might be found near the regular hot dogs.
Natural food stores and food cooperatives usually have an extensive selection of meat alternatives.
Store meat alternatives according to package directions.
Using Meat & Dairy Alternatives
Meat alternatives can usually be used the same way as the foods they replace. For example tofu hot dogs or soy burgers can be cooked on the grill and served in buns with catsup and relish. Soy-based cold cuts can be used in deli-type sandwiches. Imitation sausage and bacon products are cooked and served the same way as their meat-based counterparts.
Meat alternatives can be cut up and added to stir-fried dishes, soups or stews. They can be substituted for meat in nearly any recipe or simply be added to the recipe along with the meat.
With so many different meat alternatives available to consumers, the nutritional value of these foods varies considerably. Generally they are lower in fat than the foods they replace, although meat alternatives themselves vary a lot in fat content. With the increasing consumer demand for low-fat products, a number of "lite" or low-fat soy meat alternatives are appearing on the market. Consumers can buy nonfat hot dogs or lowfat sausages, for example.
Most meat alternatives made from soybeans are excellent sources of protein, iron and B vitamins. Meat alternatives are sometimes fortified with other nutrients, such as vitamin B12.
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Copyright 1998
Indiana Soybean Board
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