Healthy_Food_Guide_UK_-_January_2020

VEGANUARY

made easy

W

HILE ONLY ABOUT 7% of the

British population are vegan,

most of us are looking to eat more

plant-based meals. The rise in veganism

has encouraged a better understanding

of the diet, and plenty of newly

available foods are providing options

for non-vegans to experiment with.

A common misconception is that

a vegan diet is automatically healthier

because it’s based on fruit and

vegetables. Yet the expansion of vegan

ranges means there are now more

heavily processed vegan products than

ever (just check out the long list of

ingredients on some vegan snack bars,

for instance). Many are high in saturated

fats (several meat-free burgers and

‘dirty’ fries fall firmly into this category).

This is partly because many of these

productshavebeencreatedto mimic

and compensate for the flavours and

textures that appeal to meat eaters.

While they may taste appealing, they’re

not necessarily designed with health as

a priority. So if you’re simply setting out

to replace the saltiness of bacon or the

creaminess of cheese, it won’t be long

before you run into nutritional red lights.

Ready meals to rely on

If you’re seeking out truly healthy

vegan foods or simply want to expand

your repertoire, there are also plenty

of wholesome choices – and this now

includes ready meals for when you’re

busy or fancy a break from kitchen prep.

Our top six explore global flavours and

have genuine nutritional benefits. Most

importantly, though, they offer something

for everyone – so don’t think you have

to be vegan to enjoy our picks.

Per 280g serving O 414kcal O 18.5g fat

O 12.3g saturates O 7.6g sugars

O 18.5g protein O 1.1g salt

Per 400g serving

O 310kcal O 10.2g fat

O 2.8g saturates O 9.2g sugars

O 10.4g fibre O 11.7g protein

O 1.6g salt

Per 380g serving O 275kcal O 2.6g fat

O 0.4g saturates O 7.5g sugars

O 6.6g fibre O 11g protein O 1.2g salt

Looking for healthier ready meals? Trinity Hislop

and the HFG tasting team have pinpointed

nutritious plant-based options worth picking up

from the supermarket or adding to your online shop

HEALTHY FOOD TREND

14 HEALTHY FOOD GUIDE JANUARY 2020