Lately, environmental disasters such as Hurricane Irma have quickly focused the public’s attention on the ecological effects our daily routines cause. One of the most ecologically damaging habits is eating meat, and Americans eat about 3.7 pounds of it per week. In fact, giving up beef will reduce our carbon footprint even more than giving up cars. This statistic is shocking and highlights the massive impact meat has on the environment. In order to improve their own health and the environments, many people have turned towards replacing some of their meat-based dishes with plant-based substitutes. The alternative meat industry is expected to reach $5.2 billion by 2020, making it a sizable competitor to the massive meat industry. With so many companies offering meat alternatives, it’s hard to know where exactly to begin — that’s where I come in. When I transitioned to vegetarianism, the products below made it so much easier and delicious.
1. Gardein Mandarin Orange Chick’n
This “chicken” is super easy to cook, and the mandarin sauce included with it is delicious. Served with a bed of rice and vegetables, it makes an excellent and hardy meal.
2. Morningstar Buffalo Wings
These “wings” are more like chicken nuggets than anything else, but Morningstar really nailed the texture and flavor of real buffalo wings. I love putting these in burritos with vegetables. They’re easy to cook and have an excellent kick.
3. Gardein Chick’n Sliders
I cannot say enough good things about these sliders. One reason I hesitated on going vegetarian was giving up Chick-fil-a sandwiches (seriously!), and I must say these are an excellent alternative. My only suggestion is letting them cook for a good amount of time.
4. Morningstar Veggie Dogs
These veggie dogs have a texture similar to a real hot dog and loaded with toppings are really delicious. Make sure you grill these for a delicious, charbroiled taste.
These meat alternatives offer delicious plant-based twists on recipes we know and love. Even by replacing one meat dish with a plant-based one, you still are doing your part to help the environment and your own personal health.
