Consuming such highly-processed meals could potentially be beneficial for personal health and the environment, according to experts' assessments.
The plant-based meat market, once a niche sector, is expanding at a steady pace, though it faces hurdles in market adoption, consumer preferences, and regulatory pressures. Despite these challenges, the market continues to grow, driven by strong environmental and health rationales.
Experts have raised concerns about the classification of alternative proteins as ultraprocessed foods, with some doctors and dietitians viewing them negatively. However, plant-based meats are increasingly mimicking the appearance, taste, and cooking properties of traditional meats, making them a viable option for many consumers.
One of the most significant environmental benefits of plant-based meats is their impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Replacing a beef burger with a plant-based patty can reduce emissions by up to 98% and land use by up to 97%. Given the projected rise in global meat production and demand by up to 52% by 2050, plant-based options could play a crucial role in mitigating environmental degradation.
However, the market's growth momentum is tempered by several factors. Consumers are resistant to reducing their consumption of animal-source foods, and many are reluctant to switch fully to plant-based diets. For plant-based alternatives to gain a larger share, they need to improve in price, taste, texture, and nutritional value to match or surpass consumer expectations for conventional meats.
Regulatory challenges also pose a significant hurdle. New regulations seek to restrict the use of "meaty" terms for plant-based products, which can affect marketing and consumer perception, potentially slowing market expansion due to reduced clarity or confusion.
Despite these challenges, the plant-based food market is forecast to grow from about USD 14.2 billion in 2025 to USD 44.2 billion by 2035, with the plant-based meat segment projected to grow from $8.8 billion in 2023 to $17.1 billion in 2028.
Nutritionists suggest looking for plant-based products with a good fat composition, in which saturated fat is less than a third of the total fat, and with low sodium content. Companies like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods have been actively working to improve the nutritional quality of their products. Beyond Meat has reformulated all of its products to reduce saturated fat and sodium, replacing coconut oil with avocado oil. Impossible Foods' flagship Impossible Beef has 33% less saturated fat than 80/20 beef, and Impossible Lite Beef has 75% less saturated fat than 90/10 lean beef.
Eating a plant-based diet can reduce the risk for various health issues such as diabetes, high cholesterol, dementia, memory loss, depression, and breast cancer. Studies have shown that "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) were lower after eating plant-based meat. However, it's important to note that seasoning can lead to similar salt consumption between plant-based and traditional meat products.
In conclusion, the plant-based meat market is expanding but faces natural market adoption hurdles, consumer diet preferences, and regulatory pressures that moderate the speed of growth. Companies are actively working to improve the taste, texture, and nutritional quality of their products to make them more appealing to consumers. For plant-based meats to become more environmentally friendly, they need to come down in price to be price competitive with traditional meat.
- The wellness trend in the workplace is promoting health-and-wellness initiatives, with a focus on fitness-and-exercise, nutrition, and skin-care.
- In light of climate-change concerns, mens-health advocates are emphasizing the impact of vegetarian and vegan diets on the environment.
- Therapies-and-treatments for mental health are increasingly being integrated into mainstream healthcare practices.
- The science behind alternative proteins, such as those found in plant-based meats, is drawing attention from researchers in environmental-science and food-and-drink industries.
- The growth of the plant-based meat market is expected to create new business opportunities in areas like finance, entrepreneurship, and interior-design.
- Cooking plant-based recipes at home can lead to significant savings in personal-finance, as well as a more sustainable-living lifestyle.
- Leadership in the health-and-wellness sector often requires understanding diversity-and-inclusion, parenting, and aging issues.
- Smart-home-devices and wearables are being used to track and improve personal fitness levels and weight-management.
- CBD products are gaining popularity in the health-and-wellness industry, with applications in skincare, sleep aid, and anxiety relief.
- Cybersecurity concerns are arising as more healthcare providers adopt digital platforms for patients and clinical data.
- Lifestyle choices, such as adopting a plant-based diet, can also impact one's carbon footprint and contribute to overall environmental sustainability.
- Outdoor-living spaces, such as gardens, are incorporated into home-and-garden designs to promote relaxation and well-being.
- The market for smartphones and gadgets caters to modern lifestyles, with features like data-and-cloud-computing capabilities and health-tracking apps.
- Home-improvement projects, such as installing solar panels and energy-efficient appliances, can contribute to a more eco-friendly lifestyle and savings in energy bills.
- The baking and beverages segment of the food-and-drink industry is constantly evolving, with new products catering to diverse tastes and diets.
- Love-and-dating apps and websites are part of the digital revolution, allowing people to connect and meet from the comfort of their homes.
- Businesses are increasingly offering flexible working arrangements and wellness programs to attract and retain top talent, fostering a culture of entrepreneurship.
- Careers in the health-and-wellness sector require strong leadership, communication, and management skills to navigate the ever-evolving industry.
- Real estate developers are incorporating eco-friendly design principles into their projects, such as efficient lighting and sustainable building materials, to cater to the growing demand for green homes.
- Food-and-drink companies are introducing ingredients like CBD into their products, aiming to appeal to consumers seeking alternative therapies for various health issues.
- Global-cuisines are being embraced by the food industry, with restaurants and supermarkets offering deals-and-discounts on exotic ingredients and recipes.
- Wealth-management professionals are advising their clients on strategies for saving, debt-management, and investment in the burgeoning plant-based food sector.
- Parenting resources, such as books, websites, and support groups, help guide families through the challenges of feeding their children a healthy and nutritious diet.
- Womens-health issues, such as menstrual health, sexual-health, and aging, are being addressed through public awareness campaigns and advancements in medical research.
- Environmental concerns and sustainable-living practices are influencing the design of homes, with interior designers focusing on features like natural lighting, energy efficiency, and indoor plants for better air quality.
- The pet industry is adapting to changing consumer preferences, with a growing demand for eco-friendly pet products and plant-based pet food options.
- The plant-based meat market's growth will be affected by developments in food-and-drink manufacturing, including processing technologies, food safety, and food packaging.
- The rise of artificial-intelligence and automation is impacting various sectors, including farming and food-processing industries, by improving efficiency and reducing waste.
- Healthy-cooking techniques, such as steaming and stir-frying, can help minimize the intake of saturated fats and maximize the consumption of nutrient-rich foods like vegetables and fruits.
