For many reasons, people around the world are starting to look past meat options towards plant-based protein alternatives for their daily meals, Reasons like religion, health, and climate change top the list of motivations to convert to a plant-based diet, as plant-based proteins are made of soy, wheat and natural flavouring and are known to reduce carbon emissions around the world. It is usually consumed by vegans, vegetarians or flexitarians looking to reduce meat consumption. Not only are they possible substitute for meats, by-products such as dairy too have plant-based alternatives available, such as oat and almond milk, which is a great alternative for lactose-intolerant consumers. There are currently many brands available in supermarkets serving a variety of different food and beverage products.
Not only are manufacturers riding on the trend of plant-based alternatives, many food and beverage outlets too have started incorporating these superfoods into their menus. Not only are there more variety provided, this solves a long-standing consumer issue where vegetarians and lactose-intolerant customers do not have options for them in most restaurants. They now have delicious and healthy alternatives without having to give up the original, delicious flavours of the dish.
While the countries in the west have taken a liking to plant-based protein alternatives for the goodness it provides, Malaysians on the other hand are still sceptical and cast their doubts (sometimes publicly) over it's nutritional benefits. Based on a comments seen on social media pages of brands, many still consider plant-based alternatives as ‘lab-made’, ‘chemical-made’ and ‘processed food’, for frozen products that are made available to be cooked and consumed. Years of research are put into the creation of each product and most products are seasoned with natural ingredients such as food and vegetables. As compared to frozen chicken nuggets, plant-based nuggets often have a shorter list of ingredients compared to actual chicken nuggets. This is due to the fact that preservatives (beginning with E) are not used in plant-based products. However, a lack of education within citizens lead to the shallow understanding that plant-based alternatives are all processed and contain high preservatives simply because it is not made naturally by nature.
In another comment, another netizen highlighted that they'd rather eat vegetables rather than plant-based alternatives, and questioned why would anyone eat vegetables disguised as meat. While consuming 100% vegetables is possible, the lack of variety in food will eventually make meal-planning boring, not to mention a possible lack of nutrients such as carbohydrates. Plant-based alternatives provide a solution in that aspect where every meal can be taste as delicious as it was, with added health benefits. There is not a need to see food in black and white, or as vegetable vs meat.
It can be noticed that age too plays a role in the scepticism of plant-based protein alternatives. The older generation that are accustomed to meat are highly reluctant to let go of meat consumption, as it is something that they've eaten all their lives. They would prefer to stick to something they know and have tested, rather than go through the hard work of trying something foreign to them. On the other hand, the younger generation, with more exposure to social media, have seen the goodness of plant-based proteins and the benefits it can bring. This virality drives curiosity amongst the younger ones who are more adaptable to try something new.
Another comment mentioned the high prices of plant-based alternatives, which unfortunately, is true compared to real meat products. Plant-based alternatives must be made in factories piece-by-piece, therefore leading to a higher price point. They are also often only available in supermarkets and shopping malls, adding on a tough layer of accessibility to purchasing the products in addition to the high price point. These two points make many Malaysians reluctant to switch to plant-based protein alternatives, as not many can afford the high cost per meal nor availability to replenish their home food stock as often. While this is something that needs to be addressed by the makers of plant-based protein alternatives, we can expect that a cost reduction would not happen anytime soon due to the increased cost of living and expenses, therefore making plant-protein alternatives exclusive to high-income citizens.
While there are pros and cons of consuming plant-based protein alternatives, Malaysians still have a long way in joining the revolution for a healthier lifestyle. There is a large gap in knowledge, where the lack of research and thorough understanding of plant-based alternatives continually leaves many citizens in the dark. On the other hand, switching to these alternatives is also considered a luxury to most Malaysians, made up of the B40 and M40 community.
Crystal Chai is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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