Want to try eating more plant protein but can’t imagine life without a burger or chicken tenders? Meat substitutes have come a long way in the past few years, with a multitude of options. Some are so good that restaurants and fast food chains have started offering them on the menu!

Power Through with Plant Protein

“It doesn’t have to be an all or nothing game,” says Dimitri, mostly meatless Wellness Buyer at the Co-op. “You can cut out meat from your diet for just one day and it will still have a lasting impact. Who knows… maybe it’ll make you look at going meatless in a whole different light.”

Here are a few options if you’re interested in trying #MeatlessMondays in 2020:

Beyond Meat

Beyond Meat plant-based meats are made by combining expert innovation with simple, non-GMO ingredients. Their products offer greater or equal protein levels than their animal counterparts, no cholesterol, less saturated fat, and no antibiotics or hormones.

“I have even made juicy-lucys and meatballs with these and both were amazing. They stay juicy because of the coconut oil, so it’ll never turn into a dried-out hockey puck,” says Dimitri. Beyond Burgers also use beet juice to achieve that “real meat” look for any skeptical visual eaters.

Don’t miss: Beyond Burger and Beyond Sausages.
Try it: Beyond Pub Burger

Tofurky

Tofurky has been around the longest and is well-known for their meatless roasts (popular around the holidays). In 1980, after making from-scratch tempeh to share with friends and family, 30-year-old teacher/naturalist/hippie Seth Tibbot founded Tofurky on $2,500. To save money, he built and lived in a tree house for the next 7 years. Seriously. Their products are non-GMO, vegan, and delicious.

Don’t miss: Sausages, Sliced Deli-Style “Meat”, and Hams.
Try it: Tatertot Dish

Quorn

Quorn makes mostly chicken style products using Mycoprotein, a naturally occurring, high quality, healthy form of protein. Quorn is produced using a fermentation process very similar to brewing; only the solid is harvested instead of the liquid. This remarkable ingredient is then used as the base for more than 100 different food products. Quorn has an ability to replicate the taste and texture of meat exceptionally well—you might not be able to tell it’s not meat!

Don’t miss: Nuggets and Gruyere Cutlets. 
Try it: Quorn Meatless Korean Tacos

Gardein

Gardein offers a range of tasty, nutritious, convenient everyday foods made from a blend of soy, wheat, and pea proteins, organic ancient grains (quinoa, amaranth, millet and kamut®) and veggies. Their products are easy to digest and free of cholesterol, trans and saturated fats.

Don’t miss: Chipotle Lime “Chick’n” Tenders, Sweet & Sour Porkless Bites, Crabless Cakes, and Beefless Tips.
Try it: chick’n & waffle sammies w/ jalapeno jelly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Co-op also carries items like tempeh (a fermented soybean-based protein), tofu (also made from soybeans and available in different consistencies), and seitan (a wheat/gluten-based protein), but if you are just starting out with meat alternatives, sticking with products like The Beyond Burger or Gardein Chick’n Fingers is an easy way to turn your Monday into a meatless one.

Happy eating!