Food Systems
Overcoming misinformation: A more comprehensive look at Plant Based Meat
The Complete Ultra-Processed Foods and Plant-Based Meat FAQ Guide: Everything You Need To Know
Are plant-based meats healthy? Are meat alternatives overly processed? Can plant-based meats be part of a balanced diet? All these questions and more are answered in this comprehensive, fact-based, science-backed FAQ guide about Ultra-Processed Foods and Plant-Based Meat.
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Introduction
In a world flooded with dietary information via news outlets, ad-hoc influencers and rampant social media-fuelld misinformation, navigating the nuances of ultra-processed foods (UPF) and plant-based meat can be daunting. In the context of a global climate crisis, many people are evaluating the foods they consume and looking to make more conscious choices, ones that have a small environmental footprint. Plant-based meats have become a much-discussed group of foods in the realm of sustainable diets.
In the past few years, a media shift describing plant-based meats as ultra-processed foods, thus portraying them as unnatural and, consequently unhealthy, has left individuals overwhelmed by misconceptions and health uncertainties. Plant-based meats are notably absent from many prominent studies on UPF and health, making discussions on this topic more challenging. Finally, it is not just plant-based meats that fall into the UPF category. Other UPF include wholemeal bread, smoked tofu, wholegrain muesli, vegetable spreads, and nutrient-enriched soy and oat drinks, all of which could be considered healthy, further adding to the confusion. On the other hand, less processed foods like sugar, butter, and cheese may warrant closer scrutiny, despite not being classified as UPF.
Presented below is a detailed Q&A guide designed to provide a well-rounded understanding of UPF and plant-based meat by examining the current evidence and providing accurate, balanced, science-backed insights. The overall aim of this guide is to help readers make informed, health-conscious, and sustainable dietary decisions.
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Food Sovereignty is the right of people everywhere to produce food locally and sustainably through agroecological methods that respect the climatic, cultural and geographical context of each region. It places us at the heart of food systems, instead of powerful corporations, by building on the principles of solidarity, collectivity and social justice. Food Sovereignty defends our past, present and future generations, and is an alternative to a destructive and harmful industrial food system. It prioritises local trade and markets, which empower peasant agriculture, food production, distribution and consumption based on environmental, social and economic sustainability. It ensures our right to use and manage our own lands, territories, waters, seeds, livestock and biodiversity. Most importantly, Food Sovereignty gives us the power to preserve and grow our food producing knowledge and capacities worldwide.
