Are plant-based meat substitutes actually good for us?

There's a growing demand for vegan burgers, sausages and nuggets. But according to a recent survey, one in four meat-replacement products do not provide enough protein to fuel us, says Sharon Ní Chonchúir 

The message is loud and clear. We must eat less meat to save the planet and protect our health. But what if the plant-based meat substitutes available in our supermarkets fail to deliver enough protein to sustain us?

A recent report by Safefood Ireland (Vegetarian meat substitutes: Products available in supermarkets on the island of Ireland and consumer behaviours and perceptions) examined the nutritional content of 354 of these products and found that 28% are not an adequate source of protein, which means they shouldn’t be regarded as meat substitutes at all.