“Mock Meat Demand Created by the Market”
For millennia, Indians have survived on plant-based food, which is deeply rooted in their rich culinary heritage. In the north of the subcontinent, roti made from corn, millet, or wheat is the main grain. In the south, rice and millet are the primary grains. We have always used cold-pressed oil derived from mustard, sesame, and coconut as our traditional cooking medium. Our sweetening and souring agents, as well as our coloring and flavoring agents, are all derived from plants.
With the exception of a very small minority, it is not an exaggeration that the Indian masses, except for a few, have traditionally followed a diet that was not only vegan but also organic and vegetarian. It is no exaggeration to say that, with the exception of a small minority, Indians have historically adhered to a diet that was not only vegetarian but also largely vegan and organic.
Some Indians indeed ate Meat, fish, or poultry, especially those who lived in forests and along the coast. However, the basis of Indian cuisine was always grains, lentils, and seasonal vegetables like squashes. Eggplants and yams. These ingredients are used to create balanced meals that combine flavors and nutrients. Ayurveda’s wisdom has been infused into Indian cuisine, ensuring our diets are in line with the seasons and regions.
In India, no one ever felt the necessity for mock meats or milk made from plants. Food industry giants are using marketing strategies to try and capture the Indian market. Nutritionists are often complicit with this agenda and contribute to the hype through rediscovering superfoods, primarily imported seeds and cereals. Advertisers bombard us with subliminal messaging, inspiring a desire for aspirational food, which is often highly processed junk. This vicious cycle is intensified by peer pressure.
It is easy to pinpoint when the shift started — with the entry of McDonald’s into India and the reintroduction of fizzy colas that were once banned. McDonald’s, KFC, and Domino’s quickly realized that toppings with forbidden meats or meaty patties would not boost sales in the subcontinent. It was this indirect strategy that led to the creation of mock meats and plant-based proteins.
Fortified foods, extruded vegetables, snacks, and other Indian staples have been attacked in recent years. Idli-dosas, momos, little chops, and chills have so far retaliated, mocking mock meats, breakfast grains, and oats, which are flooding the market. But we must remain vigilant. It is not over yet.
“Meat is a better source of protein than plants.”
Three macronutrients make up our food: carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Proteins are vital for tissue growth and repair.
The high incidence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease in India requires that protein sources be carefully considered. Plant proteins are an important source of nutrients, but they also contain a lot of carbohydrates. These carbohydrates are similar to table sugar and break down into glucose. A 100-g portion contains 20 g of protein but 46 g of carbohydrates. These eventually turn into the same amount of glucose. 100 g of raw Meat, on the other hand, contains only 20 g of protein, little fat, and almost 80 percent water.
Individuals with diabetes or pre-diabetes may be adversely affected by consuming large amounts of plant food. Non-vegetarians are, therefore, advised to get their protein from animal sources. Vegetarians must consume more food than non-vegetarians to meet their protein requirements. Vegetarians have many excellent plant-based protein sources to choose from despite the concern about carbohydrates. For example, white mushrooms contain 20 g of protein per 666g of raw weight and only 15 g of carbohydrates. Paneer (125g contains 20g of proteins and 27.5g carbohydrates), peanuts (100% of 100g has 25g of carbs and 12g of proteins), tofu (100g offers 173-20g protein, and up to 7.64g carbohydrates) are all good choices.
Mock meats, made of plant-based ingredients, are becoming increasingly popular in India. These products are under development and have not yet been included in the US Department of Agriculture nutrition database. Beyond Meat, which produces mock Meat, claims that 100 g contains 17.7 g of protein, 15.93 grams of fat, and 2.62 grams of carbohydrates.
Seitan is an isolated wheat protein that China has produced since the 6th century. It is high in proteins, but its ultra-processed state makes it hard to digest.
The concept of laboratory-grown Meat involves the growth of meat tissue using animal cells. The approach is still at the development stage but holds promise as a cruelty-free meat alternative with similar nutritional values.
Environmental impact is a complicated issue. The popular belief that a plant-based diet is healthier for the environment is not true. A recent study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution shows that intensive land use in Precolombian America resulted in greater deforestation.
The best choices for the diet are those that match your individual needs. People can make better decisions if they are informed about the nutritional value of various sources of protein.
Make animal production more environmentally friendly, but don’t abandon it.
Naturalist David Attenborough has said that the climate crisis is “the biggest threat to modern humanity.” Who is responsible? Who is to blame? Or are the energy and industrial sectors responsible for over half of all net anthropogenic GHG emissions? Not quite. Humans often blame the cow for a far more evil crime. The Netherlands decided to reduce the number of livestock in an effort to lower nitrogen emissions. Many reports advocate switching from milk and Meat to plant-based options to reduce GHG emissions.
Comparing the Global Warming Potential of foods per kilogram promotes the idea that animal-based foods are less environmentally friendly than plant-based food. We must also consider nutrient densities or the number of nutrients in a given calorie. Lifecycle assessment methods allow us to view nutrient densities in relation to GHG emissions from the food production systems. The milk contains many minerals, Omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and essential amino acids. These nutrients are often lacking in plant-based alternatives to milk.
A similar argument is often made that animal and plant proteins are the same. This view, however, does not take into account the protein quality that the human body requires. According to a review by Food Research International, the lower digestibility and animal protein superiority of plant proteins should also be considered.
In India and the US, certain populations are deficient in certain nutrients. These include quality protein, non-heme (less bioavailable) iron, or vitamins B6 and B12. These deficiencies can lead to low birth weights, stunted children, or adult sarcopenia. Plant-based foods are not a simple substitution for animal-based food. Instead, they must be designed with consideration to nutrient interactions as well as their digestibility and bioavailability.
Domestic cattle will continue to be a part of the global landscape, and meat and dairy products will continue to be a part of our diets. Scientists are working to identify innovative farming practices that will reduce GHG emissions and nutrient loss. Animal agriculture is a part of the global food system and aims to remain sustainable. Farmers will continue to be stewards of our land, and cattle will contribute to our survival.