Is imitation meat for vegetarians healthy for the body?

Have you ever come across meat labeled 'vegetarian'? No need to be surprised. This meat is actually imitation meat made from vegetable ingredients as a substitute for real meat. To find out whether imitation meat for vegetarians is healthy or not, first know the nutritional content below.

Is imitation meat for vegetarians healthy?

Source: Livekindly

Imitation meat for vegetarians is also known as seitan. This imitation meat is made from a protein in wheat called gluten.

The manufacture is done by kneading wheat flour with water to form sticky dough strands.

The dough is then rinsed with water while continuing to knead it slowly to remove the starch in it.

After rinsing, the remaining product is pure gluten with a chewy and sticky texture. This is what is known as seitan.

Although only made from wheat flour, this vegetarian meat is actually healthy because it is rich in protein and minerals. Simply by consuming 28 grams of seitan, you can get 104 kcal of energy and 21 grams of protein.

These processed products are also low in carbohydrates and fat. Seitan in the same amount contains only 4 grams of carbohydrates and 0.5 grams of fat.

So, is imitation meat from seitan healthy? Of course, yes, for those of you who want to increase your protein intake.

Plus and minus of consuming imitation meat for vegetarians from seitan

Seitan is a fairly healthy alternative food for vegetarians. However, this product also has drawbacks.

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of consuming seitan:

1. High protein, but not complete

This vegetarian meat is called healthy because it is very rich in protein. The amount of protein can even be compared to the protein from chicken and beef.

By consuming 28 grams of seitan, you can meet nearly 50 percent of protein needs in a day.

However, the protein content in seitan is incomplete because this product does not contain the amino acid lysine that the body needs. In fact, the body can only get lysine from food intake.

2. Safe for people who are allergic to soy, but can trigger other diseases

Soybeans are one of the most common allergens. In fact, these protein-rich beans are used in many vegetarian products such as tempeh and tofu.

Seitan does not contain soy, so it is safe for people with allergies. However, this product cannot be consumed by people who have gluten intolerance or have celiac disease.

The gluten content in seitan vegetarian meat can actually trigger the symptoms, not make the sufferer healthy.

3. Rich in nutrients, but has gone through a lot of processing

Nutritional content is not the only factor that can determine whether imitation meat for vegetarians is healthy or not.

Despite being nutrient dense, this product has gone through various processing processes. That is why, these foods are no longer classified as whole foods.

It's okay to eat imitation meat, as long as the need for whole foods such as vegetables, fruits, seeds, and the like is still met.

Imitation meat actually needs to be limited if you have frequently eaten processed foods.

Whether or not imitation meat is healthy for vegetarians, it really all depends on your diet.

Imitation meat does provide a large amount of protein, but you should still get complete protein from nuts and seeds.

Consumption also should not be excessive. Just make artificial meat as an alternative so that the daily food menu becomes more colorful.

Limit consumption if you experience gastrointestinal complaints after trying this product.

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