THE BEST AND WORST OF MEAT REPLACEMENTS

Researchers conduct study to examine which foods are good for your health, your wallet and equally important, the planet

By now it's well established that meat and dairy are at least partly to blame for the climate crisis. And without coming off our addiction to animal products, we won't be able to avoid dangerous levels of global heating.

What is less clear is what to replace your burger and cheese with. What's best for your health and the planet? And what about your wallet? These are the questions addressed by researchers at the Harvard University in a new study.

The researchers combined assessments of meat and milk alternatives which compared their nutritional profile, health benefits, environmental impact and cost. Among these plant-based alternatives were traditional products such as tofu and tempeh, processed options such as veggie burgers and plant milks, products still under development such as lab-grown beef and unprocessed foods like soybeans and peas.

The assessments featured several ways of comparing foods, including per serving or calorie, and on their own or when replacing a person's present intake of meat and dairy.

Beans beat the lot

The findings show that unprocessed plant-based foods, such as soybeans, peas and beans are best suited for replacing meat and dairy.