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EPIB Trail
Volume 12, Issue 3
Are Faux Animal Products the New Sustainable Future? By Alejandra Aguilar
A New Sustainable Future of Food? We often hear of people who wish they could be more health conscious in making decisions about food. Advances in methods for preparing meat-free choices that not only aid your health and well-being, but the environment as well? There is a growing trend in popularity of vegan and vegetarian diets as people become more aware of the nuances of conventional agricultural practices, which come with environmentally destructive consequences. There are many misconceptions that lead to criticism of the plant-based diet movement. Many speculate that a diet which lacks meat also lacks sufficient nutrients. In reality, increasing the amount of plant-based foods you consume can improve your quality of life. Choosing a plant-based diet also enables increasing demand for the production of sustainable agriculture. At a growing pace, the plant-based meat industry is also transforming to meet the rising environmental standards of society. In terms of increasing sustainability of agricultural practices, reducing industrial production of chicken, beef, and pork lessens run-off of manure, fertilizers, pesticide, in addition to less overall water usage. Matching this trend in consumer preference, the demand for the production of plant-based animal products has intensified the opportunity to purchase these alternative food products. Currently, 15% of greenhouse gas emissions come from the agriculture industry, but there are alternative methods to a meat-based demand that significantly lower emissions and help feed the global population. By switching to a more plant-based diet, consumers can help to curb climate change while maintaining a nutrient dense diet. What Are Plant-Based Meat Alternatives? Companies have successfully produced several faux meat and cheese product alternatives. Plant-based meat and cheese alternatives are made out of plants but are
