Choosing Meat SubstitutesVegetarian Meat SubstitutesHeart disease is the number one killer in America. Arteries do not get clogged by themselves. The consumption of meat is one of the major reasons for clogged arteries due to it's high fat content and cholesterol. Various other dairy products also contribute to the condition of your arteries, however, that’s for another article. Healthy Eating Menus can be developed by using the following healthier meat substitutions below. Some of these substitutions are found in tofu stir fry, the boca burger, soy burgers, vegetarian jerky, and vegetarian meatloaf. If you like the outdoors, most of these can be included in easy camping meals. Due to the high protein found in them, they are also great protein foods.
Meat Substitutes: Textured Vegetable ProteinTextured vegetable protein or TVP has been used as a meat replacement for quite a while now. It can readily be found in health food stores or in larger supermarkets usually in the bulk isle. It is made from soy flour after the soybean oil has been extracted. The end result of making it creates a spongy type soy meat matrix, which is similar to what meat is like.Because of it’s physical characteristics, it can be shaped into various food items such as meatballs and patties to name a couple. It can actually take the place of ground beef in many recipes. A benefit of TVP is it’s low fat and high protein content. However, some variations of TVP may have partially hydrolyzed oil in them to change the texture and taste, which adds to it’s fat content.
Meat Substitutes: TofuTofu is made from soybeans. It comes packaged with various characteristics. It can be either soft or firm, silky or grainy, marinated, smoked, or braised.You can use soft tofu in soups, which would give it a creamy texture. You can use firm tofu in stir fry recipes just by cutting it into cubes. It can also be used in stews and in casseroles. For the most part tofu is pretty tasteless. So it is a good idea to use it along with stronger flavored foods. If it is to be eaten alone, use a favorite tasting dipping sauce.
Meat Substitutes: TempehTempeh is an Indonesian food. It is made from whole soybeans. It is fermented and made into a patty. Like tofu, this can be cut up into squares and used in various stir fry dishes and in soups. Of course you can always eat it as a patty in a burger.Tempeh is a good source of protein, phytoestrogens, and calcium. It also has friendly intestinal flora. Tempeh can often be found containing millet or rice. It is interesting to note that in regard to B vitamins, it has vitamin B12 producing bacteria.
Meat Substitutes: SeitanSeitan is essentially wheat gluten. This has a consistency like meat and is a great replacement for various dishes with meat in them.Like those above, it can be used in soups and stews. There is very little cooking time with seitan. Basically just drop it in the soup and it is ready when the soup is hot. It is also a very good source of protein. There are plenty of meat substitutes you can use to replace meat. Those mentioned above are a few of the main ones. However, you can also find lentil burgers, walnut burgers, and other nutty burgers, soy burgers, rice burgers, and sprouted burgers. There are also various other vegetarian meats created specifically for vegetarian diets and those who don‘t eat meat. Of course you don’t have to be a vegetarian to eat them. These can also be found on a list of vegan foods. No doubt, as people continue to seek meat substitutes and foods they can use instead of meat, more selections will become available in the future. Always remember, when eating food, try to buy organic as much as possible.
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Wikipedia. “Textured Vegetable Protein” Oct. 10, 2008. Oct. 17, 2008.
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http://www.usaemergencysupply.com/information_center/
all_about_textured_vegetable_protein.htm
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