Alternative Meat Products

Soy is one of the most popular meat substitutes.tofu image by Silvia Bogdanski from Fotolia.com

Many people don't eat meat, whether it is because of diet, morality, religion, spirituality or health reasons. It is important, though, to keep your diet high in the protein and full of the vitamins that people usually get by eating meat. Luckily, alternative meat products are available on the market for vegans and vegetarians. These options come in a range of firmness and food varieties, and can be cooked or raw.

Soy

The soybean, otherwise known as soy, has been a staple of the Chinese diet for more than 4,000 years. Types of soy include tofu (soybean curd, which is soft or firm), tempeh (fermented soybean paste, which is soft and chewy), textured vegetable protein (made from defatted soybean flour), miso (a fermented condiment made from grain, soybeans, salt and water), soy sauces, and oil and dairy substitutes. Soy can be a substitute for any type of meat product, whether you want it deep-fried or raw, or as a tofu steak, a stir-fry, a salad, a dip, or a soup.

This meat alternative product comes from the continuous fermentation of the fungus, Fusarium gramineurum, which grows when minerals such as fiber, iron and zinc, vitamins, oxygen, nitrogen, and glucose are added to it. Once finished, the mycoprotein is strained and made into a soft or firm substance, which can be flavored or colored. At the grocery store, mycoprotein is mostly commonly sold as quorn. You can use it to make pies, casseroles, sausages, burger patties, steaks, hot dogs and egg substitutes.

Wheat protein, derived from wheat gluten, is extracted from wheat and processed to have the consistency of meat. This meat alternative is most similar to actual meat, and is a versatile ingredient. You can use it in grilling, broiling, baking, searing, and stir-frying.