The Good Food Institute Europe’s Post

Thanks to those who congratulated me for joining The Freedom Food Alliance!b 🙏 This is why it is SO important to tackle this thorny and topical issue directly: “While no meaningful conclusions can be drawn from the latest Lancet paper about the healthfulness of plant-based meat products, this scenario underlines the very real importance of quality, accurate, evidence-based reporting on nutritional science to help people make informed choices about the food they eat, including simple swaps that could benefit their health. In the world of nutrition, people have limited bandwidth to devote to improving their diets, and so there is a huge opportunity cost to misleading reporting that unnecessarily demonizes foods that could actually be an easy, healthful swap for many people.” 📰 The damage of the UPF framing will take time to undo and as the media pump out their biased articles paid for by Big Meat and Dairy, and the bots keep churning out their vitriol, we really need a counter factual to keep the hands of commerce out of influencing consumer choices. Well done, Robbie Lockie🚦 on creating just the vehicle and I’m proud to be a member of your stellar advisory board! 🤩 #misinformation #disinformation #plantbasedfood #ultraprocessedfood #keepitreal

🌿 Are plant-based meat substitutes healthier than a traditional meat based diet? According to recent study conducted by #Singaporean research institute A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research indicated that there are no clear cardio-metabolic benefits of substituting animal based diets with plant-based meat alternatives and could in fact have counter-productive effects on health: https://lnkd.in/e4TPer5S “For the future adoption of plant-based meat analogues, cautionary advice may be warranted for populations with heightened cardiometabolic health risks, where glycaemic management is essential. Particularly for these more vulnerable populations, there may be a greater need for a careful reformulation of existing plant-based meat analogues with either low- or better-quality carbohydrates.”   Our agenda this year is looking at the importance of health and nutrition when developing a more sustainable agri-food system. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gynbezP

PSA for nutrition scientists – I think it's time to stop combining all red meats into a single category on food frequency questionnaires and then grouping all red meats together during analysis. Don’t take my word for it: https://lnkd.in/dSXXrAFi?    #science #nutritionscience #proteinquality #animalprotein #plantprotein #sustainablediets #nutrition #nutritionprofessional #dietitian #rd #healthprofessional #communicatethescience 

In today's world, high-quality food, specifically meat, is a top priority for consumers. The compromise on meat quality due to increased demand and high-energy diets is undeniable. This can result in less flavor, reduced storage and processing properties, and decreased water-holding capacity. This article will provide you with detailed information about how the gut microbiota influences meat quality and how feeding and modulating the intestinal microflora can significantly improve it: https://bit.ly/47vLJ4n #meat #feed #animalnutrition #animalhealth #endconsumer #antibioticreduction #antimicrobialresistance #amr

📢 ❗Just because a food is 'processed' does not mean it is unhealthy 📢 ❗ I'm absolutely late to the party here as I've been living and working on a farm animal sanctuary in remote Western Australia... But Jenny C. has published her insightful and much needed report into the discourse surrounding plant-based meat and it's categorisation as a UPF (ultra-processed food). I am delighted to have been a contributor to this important piece of work. Tofu, wholemeal bread, canned beans, and yes, plant-based meat. These foods are processed, but not in a way that's harmful to our health, and we consumers have to start getting better at making decisions about nutrition based on science and evidence, not sensationalised buzzwords and dogwhistles. When crafting a healthy diet, what should matter is not if a food is processed or not (though obviously a mostly wholefoods diet including fresh fruit and veggies is best) but if that food is healthy and nutritious. Plant-based meat contains no harmful cholesterol unlike animal meat and is often lower in saturated fat, while being high in protein and fibre. It is a tasty, convenient and ethical swap for animal flesh. That's not to say that all meat alternatives are created equal...of course something made from a lower-protein source like jackfruit or mushrooms is not going to be as nutritious as something made from soy or wheat. And needless to say, if the product is trying to replicate a more unhealthy meat like bacon or sausages it's not aiming to be a healthy staple in your diet. Yet, even so, studies show us that eating the plant-based equivalents of these products IS much healthier for you. The bottom line here is that both healthy and less healthy plant-based alternatives have their place in society, and if nutrition is your main concern then you should read nutrition labels, not jump to conclusions based on flawed narratives about degree of processing. Plus, the animals will thank you for it 🐷 🐑 🐮 🐔 ❤️ 🌱

💥 "Ultra-processed" has become quite the derogatory buzzword, perpetuated by those hoping to malign conventional meat alternatives. The term is purposely misused to mean "unhealthy" and create confusion and doubt. 💡 Some foods, like baby formula and vitamins, need processing to make them safe. Many processed foods have been designed to offer nutritional benefits, make them more convenient, keep them on shelves longer, and make them more affordable. 🥩 And there's the fact that unprocessed animal meat can kill you. 🌱 Hungry Planet meat from plants isn't a carrot pulled from your garden, but it is nutritious compared to conventional meat. Our wide selection of meat is packed with protein and fiber (animal meat has none), with about half the calories and a fraction the fat - no saturated. Importantly they contain only about 11 ingredients and are devoid of cholesterol, antibiotics, hormones and steroids rife in animal meat. #hungryplanet #delicousfoodmadehealthy #meatfromplants

The Food Pyramid: One of the Biggest Scams in Human History? For years, we’ve been told to follow the Food Pyramid, filling our plates with grains, greens, and minimal fats. But what if we’ve been misled? The truth is, the Food Pyramid wasn’t built on solid nutritional science—it was funded and influenced by the very industries (grain and farming associations) that stood to profit the most from it. The data it promotes often contradicts the real research conducted, and it’s time we had an honest conversation about nutrition. Take Dr. Jordan Peterson for example. His personal experience on an all-beef diet has been nothing short of remarkable. After shifting to a diet high in nutrient-dense foods like animal meats and fats, and cutting out grains and greens, he experienced life-changing improvements in both his mental and physical health. It’s not just Peterson’s anecdotal evidence—there’s growing support for the idea that animal-based diets may be far more beneficial than we’ve been led to believe. The benefits of a diet rich in nutrient-dense animal products include: Increased energy and mental clarity 🧠 Reduced inflammation and improved gut health 🥩 Better weight management and muscle development 💪 Yet, the Food Pyramid continues to push high-carbohydrate, grain-based diets, which many experts now believe contribute to chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes. Isn’t it time to challenge the narrative and question the long-standing advice we've been given? Let’s start having real conversations about nutrition—conversations based on facts, not profit-driven agendas. Your health depends on it. Whenever I’m in the UK, one of my favourite places to visit is Sagardi Group, a Spanish Basque beef restaurant that I just can’t get enough of. There’s something incredible about the simplicity and richness of a diet centered around high-quality animal fats and proteins—something the Food Pyramid simply ignores. What do you think? Should we rethink what’s really on our plate? 🥩

Thank you to Nina Teicholz for shedding light on the impact of industry interference, particularly from sectors such as tobacco, pharmaceuticals, and the food industry, on health recommendations. It's concerning to see the cherry-picking of scientific data and the undue emphasis on cholesterol as the primary concern in cardiovascular disease. It makes little sense to focus on cholesterol when there are more significant factors at play. Furthermore, the article rightly points out the nutritional deficiencies present in vegan diets, including the lack of essential micronutrients like B12, omega-3 fatty acids, and several vitamins and minerals. The misrepresentation of protein intake in vegan diets is also a critical issue that needs attention. The article highlights the need for health research to genuinely prioritize human well-being, which unfortunately doesn't seem to be the case here. For those interested in a deeper understanding of cholesterol and saturated fats, I highly recommend reading Nina Teicholz's book "The Big Fat Surprise." The article raises essential questions about the integrity of nutrition science and the influence of financial conflicts of interest. It's crucial to reconsider the credibility of research funded by industry players like Beyond Meat and to ensure that individuals like Christopher Gardner do not have a significant role in shaping national dietary guidelines. #longevity #healthspan #nutrition #takecontrolofyourhealth #biohacking #beyourbestself https://lnkd.in/evTh8UHx

Consumers need to know the truth about the foods they consume. Food as nutrition is food as health. Educate yourself, ask questions, and understand what your body needs - and what it should NOT be exposed to. The food industry is not always what it seems, and marketing is a powerful tool.