To get to the bottom of this vegan bacon mystery, we tracked down six of the latest and most widely available plant-based kinds of bacon on the market to see how they would stack up. Here is our take, and we would love to hear from you if you have any that you prefer! Plus, you may want to try making these bacons in the oven, for an even more crispy bacon taste.

Avoiding Processed Meat for Your Health

Bacon is America’s favorite processed meat with some estimates claiming that the average American consumer eats 18 pounds of bacon per year. But now, increasing research has shown eating processed meats such as bacon regularly can lead to several chronic health conditions including heart failure, kidney disease, and several forms of cancer, among others. Eating processed or red meat regularly can increase your heart disease and cancer risk by 18 percent and 29 percent, respectively.

To help improve your overall well-being and lower your risk of heart disease, introducing new plant-based bacon to your diet can significantly help improve your health for longer. Adding a few plant-based meals to your diet can reduce your risk of heart disease 30 years later, according to a recent study. Another study shows that switching to a more dominantly plant-based diet can actually prolong your life expectancy by 10 years or more. So next time you are cooking breakfast or making a B.L.T., check out some of these top bacon alternatives for a healthier protein.

For all the Beet Meters, check out the best vegan products.

Be Leaf Vegan Bacon

BeLeaf’s vegan bacon hits all the right taste and texture notes. For that reason, it tops our list. It cooks up extremely easily and yields a consistency and is easy to work with to create any bacon dish you desire. BeLeaf captures that meaty, salty bacon-like taste.

Price: $9.99, 10 oz package

Where to buy: Besties Vegan Paradise, Lassens, and other local natural grocery stores. Also on online retailers like Vegan Essentials, GTFO It’s Vegan, and more.

Calories 44

Total Fat 1g, Saturated Fat 0g

Protein 3.5g

Hooray Foods Plant-Based Bacon

Hooray Foods is a plant-based bacon designed to look, cook, and taste like the real thing. The pieces stick together if they touch while cooking so make sure you use a large pan to keep separate. This bacon has a heavy coconut aftertaste so we would recommend using it on salads or as a topping.

Price: $8.49-$8.99, 5 oz package

Where To Buy: Select Whole Foods Market

Calories 60

Total Fat 4g, Saturated Fat 3g

Protein 0g

LightLife Smart Bacon

LightLife is a long-time player in the vegan food space and you can feel good about eating its Smart Bacon which is easy to find on most grocery store shelves. LightLife’s Smart Bacon has a slight soy taste which some people might not love. Use this Bacon on a plant-based patty or vegan BLT the next time you have a hankering for bacon.

Price: $5.99, 5 oz package

Where to buy: Various mainstream grocery stores, health-food retailers, and online shops.

Calories 20

Total Fat 1g, Saturated Fat 0g

Protein 2g

Prime Roots Superprotein Bacon

Prime Roots uses fermentation technology to mimic real bacon. Their secret weapon is an ingredient called Koji, a Japanese fungus that is actually a whole-food protein, packed with nutrients. It certainly smells and tastes like bacon. It can overcook easily, so it’s a good option if you like “crispier” bacon. This would go well in a sandwich or as crumbles on a salad.

Price: $9.99, 8 oz package

Where to buy: Online at www.primeroots.com

Calories 110

Total Fat 8g, Saturated Fat 6g

Protein 6g

Sweet Earth Benevolent Bacon

Sweet Earth has been a consistent plant-based brand that doesn’t ever disappoint. And their Benevolent Bacon is no exception. This bacon is teeming with flavor and a “meaty” texture. You’ll enjoy notes of hickory, sage and garlic in every bite. It cooks like the real thing is available for purchase both in frozen and refrigerated packaging.

Price: $3.99, 5.5 oz package

Where to buy: Check out Sweet Earth’s online locator tool to find a store closest to you, including select SafeWay, Whole Foods Market, Walmart, and more.

Calories 45

Total Fat 1.5g, Saturated Fat 0g

Protein 4g

SUPRIMA Bacon Crack

As if we needed reminding just how addictive bacon is, along comes a plant-based bacon product called “Bacon Crack” that is cooked and crispy and ready to eat right out of the box. Bacon Crack from Superhumn, is an all-natural, gluten-free, soy-free plant-based formula that “checks all the boxes” when you’re searching for healthier bacon. The most important box of all? When it comes to bacon, that’s taste. When it comes to the savory, smoky, slightly sweet, crispy salty fix that bacon lovers have come to count on, many plant-based versions fall short. Bacon Crack checks that box too.  At 60 calories for 2 strips, a saturated fat content of 2.5 grams, and 2 grams of protein per serving, this bacon has half the fat and 40 percent less sodium than real bacon. We see a BLT in our future.

Price: $6.99 for one 2.5 oz package.

Where to Buy: Check out Superhumn’s website to purchase this tasty bacon. Currently offers limited availability.

Calories 60

Total Fat 3g, Saturated Fat 2.5g

Protein 2g

Upton’s Bacon Seitan

Upton’s makes a tasty and smokey bacon that is well suited in a BLT, or crumbles on a salad. While it doesn’t quite resemble the real thing, it’s still a good substitute when you need bacon in a recipe. We suggest you cook it longer to get a crispy bacon crunch.

Price: $4.69, 5 oz package

Where to buy: Whole Foods Market and other retailers as well as online Amazon.com, ThriveMarket.com and more.

Calories 100

Total Fat 0.5g, Saturated Fat 0g

Protein 15g

The post The Best Vegan Bacon That Tastes Just Like the Real Thing appeared first on The Beet.

Meanwhile, while I’m confessing food likes and dislikes, let me share that I was never the biggest fan of chicken wings, to begin with – back when I still ate chicken – since I always found wings to be the greasiest part of the bird, and never could get over the grossness of all the bones and sinewy stuff. Okay, that was then. Now it’s part of my job to try plant-based and vegan meat alternatives, wings included, and since the Super Bowl weekend is upon us, it seemed like a good idea to try some store-bought vegan wings. And Jack & Annie’s company sounds different since it makes its meat out of Jackfruit (the Jack in the name) and counts this whole fruit as its first ingredient on the label. And with 32 percent less fat than other leading Buffalo-style wings, it almost sounded healthy! Plus, I was curious to know if I served these to my husband, who tolerates my plant-based taste tests, would he be convinced these were delicious enough to skip the real thing?

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The wings arrived in a box of frozen battered “chicken” pieces and instructed me that these are not safe to eat until heated to at least 165°F inside and to preheat the oven to 400 and cook them for 12 minutes, turning them in the middle. I got busy, overdid the first side by a couple of minutes, which actually seemed to make them sizzle more. I then kept them in the oven for the requisite 12 minutes and while they heated up nicely, they didn’t exactly brown. I should have left them in for longer. But the aroma of the wings was so enticing, and with lunchtime overdue, I pulled the tray out and plated the four delicious-smelling “wings” and realized I needed a dipping sauce. I had some leftover red sauce that was chilled and it provided the exact right counterbalance to the spicey, tender, and perfectly battered wings.

I give Jack and Annie’s vegan wings a 5 out of 5 for taste, texture and satisfaction. The inner vegan meat, made of Jackfruit, wheat flour, soy flour, vinegar and canola and soybean oil, may not be as healthy as making your own cauliflower wings at home, but with just 140 calories and 16 grams of carbs for 3 wings and 1 gram of saturated fat, you could also do a whole lot worse. Happy dipping, and I hope your team wins.

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The post “I Tried Vegan Wings And Here’s What I Thought.” Hint: They’re <em>Delicious!</em> appeared first on The Beet.

The information showed that Amazon shoppers searched terms including ‘vegan burgers,’ vegan chicken,’ ‘vegan meat,’ and ‘vegan fish.’ The search terms display the growing interest in every plant-based sector and revealing how the vegan market is experiencing widespread growth. The published data also shows that the number of searches for bean burgers also jumped 45 percent.

Earlier this year, the Plant-Based Foods Association [PBFA] and The Good Food Institute [GFI] released a report that discovered that plant-based retail sales grew 27 percent in 2020. The changing consumer behavior has led the US plant-based market to new levels, exceeding $7 billion.

“The data tells us unequivocally that we are experiencing a fundamental shift, as an ever-growing number of consumers are choosing foods that taste good and boost their health by incorporating plant-based foods into their diet,” PBFA Senior Director of Retail Partnerships Julie Emmett said in a statement on the 2020 market performance. “As this industry surpasses the $7 billion threshold, PBFA is excited to continue our work to help build a sustainable infrastructure, including domestic ingredients sourcing, for this growing demand to expand access to plant-based foods.”

The report attributes a significant level of growth for the plant-based market to the increased focus on online sales. During the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers become increasingly interested in plant-based foods and nutrition. Online retailers like Amazon helped allow consumers to reach and find plant-based foods during the pandemic lockdown. With vegan food and proteins becoming more accessible nationwide, the surge can be traced back to the overall market shift as well as the general understanding relationship between diet and health.

The report from the GFI and PBFA explored what products consumers decided to buy during the COVID-19 pandemic and throughout 2020. In 2020, 18 percent of US households bought plant-based meat, surging 14 percent as compared to 2019. The report also found that beyond plant-based proteins, 39 percent of US households now have plant-based milk at home.

“2020 was a breakout year for plant-based foods across the store. The incredible growth we saw in plant-based foods overall, particularly plant-based meat, surpassed our expectations and is a clear sign of where consumer appetites are heading,” GFI Research Analyst Kyle Gaan observed. “Almost 40 perfect of households now have plant-based milk in their fridge, and at this rate, it won’t be long until we see just as many households purchasing plant-based meat.”

Another report from P&S Intelligence discovered that the plant-based meat market alone grew to over $1 billion in 2020. The report specifically tracks the amount of plant-based meat and protein consumers bought over the course of last year, revealing how popular meat alternatives have become since the onset of the pandemic.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns over the consumption of meat products and hence, the adoption of plant-based proteins is expected to grow, thereby propelling the meat substitutes industry,” the report reads. “Furthermore, the pandemic has disrupted the supply chain of meat-based products, which has led to the reduced availability of fresh meat. This has shifted the attention of customers towards meat substitutes, which is why the sale of these products is surging.”

Plant-based interest is expected to continue growing for years to come at an accelerated rate. The Amazon report supports Credit Suisse’s report entitled “The Global Food System: Identifying Sustainable Solutions” released earlier this year. The report claims that the vegan food market will grow 100-fold by 2050, reaching $1.4 trillion. The growth is also attributed to the increasing presence of plant-based foods on online retailers, alongside increasing awareness regarding nutrition and sustainability.

“A change toward a plant-based diet appears inevitable, in our view, if the global food system is to become more sustainable,” Managing Director of Credit Suisse in the Securities Research Division Eugene Klerk states.

Top 15 Legumes and Beans

1. Soy Beans

Soybeans are a legume but they are such a great source of protein that we had to lead the veggie list with it. There is more protein in just one ounce of soybeans than a cup of sliced avocado! 1 cup equals Protein – 28.6g Calories – 298 Carbs – 17.1g Fiber – 10.3g Calcium – 175mg

2. Lentils

Lentils are the only beans that don’t have to be soaked before preparing. Lentils can be the star of any dish that needs heft, from soups to burgers. Next time it’s Taco Tuesday, try out lentil tacos—they pack a protein punch. 1 cup equals Protein – 17.9 g Calories – 230 Carbs – 39.9 g Fiber – 15.6 g Calcium – 37.6 mg

3. White Beans

Dried white beans can be stored for up to three years in a dry, room-temperature location. Which means you can keep them around whenever you need a staple for soups or stews. 1 cup equals Protein – 17.4 g Calories – 249 Carbs – 44.9 g Fiber -11.3 g Calcium – 161 mg

4. Edamame

Edamame is a great snack to keep in your freezer. Microwave them and spice them up with a sprinkle of salt, chili powder and red pepper flakes. You’ll be enjoying a protein-filled snack that is better than chips. 1 cup (cooked and shelled) equals Protein – 16.9 g Calories – 189 Carbs – 15.8g Fiber – 8.1g Calcium – 97.6mg

5. Cranberry Beans

As you cook cranberry beans, the unique specks of red that give these legumes their name vanish. Boil the cranberry beans, blend into a spread and use as a delicious dip with veggies for a great protein snack. 1 cup equals Protein – 16.5 g Calories – 241 Carbs – 43.3 g Fiber – 15.2 g Calcium – 88.5 mg

6. Split Peas

Don’t confuse split peas with green peas. Split peas are dried and—surprise— split. Unlike their sweet cousins, these peas must be boiled for 45 minutes before they’re ready to eat. Make Ina Garten’s easy Parker’s Split Pea Soup for a protein-packed lunch. 1 cup cooked Protein – 16.3 g Calories – 229 Carbs – 41.1 g Fiber – 16.3 g Calcium – 27.4 mg

7. Kidney Beans

Make sure to soak these beans overnight to get rid of the toxic proteins in the raw bean that is harmful to people and animals. then cook thoroughly before eating. Soaking and cooking the beans will get rid of the harmful proteins. Then, dig in! 1 cup equals Protein – 15.3 g Calories – 225 Carbs – 40.4 g Fiber – 13.1 g Calcium – 49.6 mg

8. Black Beans

Black “turtle” bean is the technical name for this crowd favorite. The “turtle” part comes from the physical appearance of the shiny exterior shell that protects the bean. 1 cup equals Protein – 15.2 g Calories – 227 Carbs – 40.8 g Fiber – 15 g Calcium – 46.4 mg

9. Navy Beans

As you can see, navy beans are clearly not navy. So where did the name come from? These beans were such an important part of the U.S. Navy diet in the beginning of the 20th century that the beans were named after them. Anchors aweigh! 1 cup equals Protein – 15 g Calories – 255 Carbs – 47.4 g Calcium – 126 mg

10. Pinto Beans

Canned pinto beans aren’t just a source of protein, but also major fiber. Pinto beans are often used as refried beans because they fall apart when steamed. 1 cup equals Protein – 15.4g Calories – 245 Carbs – 44.8g Fiber – 15.4g Calcium – 78.6mg

11. Chickpeas

What’s better than hummus for boosting protein? Not much. Just half a cup delivers 10 grams of protein, which is a good percentage of your daily needs: ranging from 45 to 65 grams, depending on weight, gender and activity level. 1 cup equals Protein – 14.5g Calories – 269 Carbs – 45g Fiber – 12.5 g Calcium – 80.4 mg

12. Lima Beans

Lima beans are often called “butter beans” because of their buttery taste. Famously used in succotash, lima beans can also be used boost the taste of a hearty vegetable soup, or roast them with sweet potatoes as a side dish. 1 cup equals Protein – 14.7 g Calories – 216 Carbs – 39.3g Fiber – 13.2g Calcium – 32mg

13. Mung Beans

Mung beans lack a lot of flavor but are great to add to any dish for crunch and protein. Trade your chickpea-based falafel for a mung bean option to switch things up. Fact: Just Eggs uses mung beans for protein! 1 cup equals Protein – 14.2 g Calories – 212 Carbs – 38.7 g Fiber – 15.4 g Calcium – 54.5 mg

14. Fava Beans

Take the fava beans out of the pod since experts don’t recommend eating that part. For freshest taste, only separate the beans from the pods when you ‘re ready to eat them. 1 cup equals Protein – 12.9 g Calories – 185 Carbs – 33.2 g Fiber – 9.18 g Calcium – 61.2 mg

15. Peas

Who knew little old peas pack a major protein punch? One cup of peas has more protein than one average-sized egg. Yep, you can make a bet and win it. 1 cup equals Protein – 8.6g Calories – 134 Carbs – 25g Fiber – 8.8 g Calcium – 43.2 mg

The post Amazon Shoppers Searched For ‘Vegan Meat’ 44,000 Times Last Month appeared first on The Beet.

“Our mission is to make delicious, better-for-you plant-based options accessible to everyone,” a Beyond Meat representative told VegNews. “We are excited about all the positive taste reviews that have started to roll in following our launch of Beyond Chicken Tender across the country, and knew we had to find a way to give more consumers the opportunity to try and enjoy our latest product innovation. We partnered with DoorDash because the added convenience of on-demand delivery allows even more consumers – particularly Gen Z and Millennials – to try Beyond Chicken Tenders this National Chicken Tender Day.”

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The DoorDash partnership follows Beyond Meat’s national debut of its Beyond Chicken Tenders earlier this month. The food tech company began distribution with nearly 400 restaurants across the United States, bringing the new plant-based chicken product to consumers nationwide. The company’s Chief Innovation Officer, Dariush Ajami, stated that the company is “innovating the poultry market with the new Beyond Chicken Tenders – the result of [its] tireless pursuit for excellence and growth.”

Now, plant-based diners can find this plant-based chicken made into innovative burgers at vegan Next Level Burger or straight up alongside signature sauces at restaurants including Fire Wings, Bad Mutha Clucka, and Bird Bird Biscuit. The Beyond Chicken Tenders locations can be found on the Beyond Meat website. The company is aiming to increase its range, making the plant-based chicken one of the most accessible proteins.

Beyond Meat’s signature item is the Beyond Burger, one of the pioneering plant-based burger patties to hit the market. Since its release in 2016, the company has redesigned the burger’s recipe three times, revealing its Beyond Burger 3.0 earlier this year. The newest version contains 35 percent less total fat and 35 percent less saturated fat, highlighting the company’s focus on nutrition within plant-based alternatives.

The food tech company originally experimented with plant-based chicken in 2012. The company developed a vegan chicken strip that became widely available, but the chicken stopped being produced shortly after. Over the last decade, Beyond Meat researched how to create the best plant-based chicken product that would cook, taste, and feel like conventional chicken. The Chicken Tender uses a mixture of pea protein and faba beans to create the consistency necessary to replicate conventional chicken.

“Now, more than ever, consumers are becoming more aware of the health implications of their food choices— specifically, the health concerns associated with animal protein, which is driving greater interest and trial in Beyond Meat,” the representative continued. “Throughout the pandemic, we have been able to continue meeting consumer demand for meat amid nationwide animal meat shortages. The growing interest in plant-based meat coupled with skyrocketing demand for chicken makes this the perfect time to launch plant-based chicken. Chicken is also the most popular meat in America, so we see a huge opportunity to reach an even wider segment of consumers.”

Beyond Meat is also moving into the fast-food world. Earlier this year, the company announced that it will be partnering with Panda Express to reveal its Beyond the Original Orange Chicken at locations in New York City and Los Angeles. The company is hoping to breakthrough the fast-food market, giving consumers nationwide a chance to choose a plant-based alternative. The company also tested its Beyond Chicken in 2019 at KFC. Since then, Beyond has announced a future partnership with Yum! Brands, which could see its plant-based products entering KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut menus in the near future.

Sandra Oh and 20 Others It Might Surprise You to Learn Are Plant-Based

1. Paul McCartney

Sir James Paul McCartney is no stranger to a meat-free life as he’s been vegetarian for 45 years. He initially went vegetarian in 1975 with his first wife Linda McCartney and began his advocacy for animal rights.

2. Sia

If you find yourself constantly singing along to the song The Greatest, then you’re already a Sia fan. Sia tweeted that she is “fully vegan now” back in 2014 and stays true to her word

3. Sandra Oh

Way back at the start of Grey’s Anatomy, Sandra Oh took the cast out for a plant-based lunch at Truly Vegan in Hollywood. In her effort to inspire contemporaries to eat vegan, the TV star is known to invite her friends for vegan meals that are delicious. She adopted the vegan lifestyle years ago and continues to quietly live a cruelty-free life.

4. Gisele Bündchen

Giselle revealed that when she was at the peak of her modeling career, her diet consisted of “cigarettes, wine, and mocha Frappuccinos,” according to an interview in People Magazine. Now 39 and the mother of two children, Gisele eats a “mostly” plant-based diet to nourish her body and stay fueled.

5. Alec Baldwin

Alec Baldwin has made a bigger commitment to plant-based eating since he was first told by doctors that he was pre-diabetic and needed to change his diet. That was decades ago. But, over the last few years, he’s been vocal about the benefits not only to his health but also the impact plant-based eating has on the environment.

7. Pamela Anderson

We all remember Pamela Anderson as the curvaceous blonde in the hit series Baywatch as she played Casey Jean in the red one-piece swimsuit that brought her world-class fame. She is a life-long active animal rights advocate and teamed up with PETA to join the Animal Protection Organization.

8. Kristen Stewart

“We shouldn’t eat as much meat guys,” Kristen Stewart told GQ in an interview in January. The Twilight star has made a full 180 from vampire to vegan. When she appeared on the game show “Hot Ones” she chose to skip the wings and instead compete by eating increasing spicier sauce on vegan cauliflower wings.

9. Jared Leto

This award-winning actor eats a high-protein diet consisting of only plants. Leto, who has been plant-based for 20 years, says it keeps him “shredded” in an interview. Now, 48, Leto looks half his age.

10. Jaden Smith

Jaden Smith switched up his diet from vegan to vegetarian, meaning that he doesn’t eat meat but does eat dairy from time to time. In a recent article by Plant Based News, Smith admits he skipped meals and was not getting the proper nutrition when he was vegan, but this hasn’t stopped him from espousing the plant-based life.

11. Meghan Markle

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex has never admitted to being fully vegan, but sources say, she eats a plant-based diet most days during the week. She is teaching Prince Harry vegan cooking and in a Plant-Based News article, Markle explained how she hopes to raise baby Archie on a mostly vegan diet.

12. Serena Williams

As a professional athlete, fueling the body is a key factor to Willaim’s successes. In a Bon Appetite article, she explained that she adopted a plant-based diet back in 2012, she was eating a lot “healthier” for her sister, Venus, who eats a strict vegan diet for health reasons.

13. John Mackey

The popular grocery store, Whole Foods Market sells vegan products and nonvegan products which arises black lash from ethical vegans as CEO John Mackey follows a strict vegan diet. The successful businessman grew up in Houston Texas and told Business Insider that he would traditionally eat processed foods for dinner while watching TV with his family. Now, Mackey steers clear from the processed isle and eats a clean vegan diet and feels amazing at the age of 65.

14. Jason Mraz

Jason Mraz, singer of the popular song, I’m Yours, committed to a vegan diet to support his friend diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Mraz says he eats mostly raw food and told magazine sources his favorite vegan dish is “Chocomole, a mixture of avocados, dates, cacao, agave nectar, and coconut oil.”

15. Leona Lewis

Long time vegan, Leona Lewis grew up in a vegan household and continues to eat a plant-based diet. Lewis first adopted the diet at 12 when she learned about the health risks of eating animal products but told Women’s Health Magazine she occasionally eats an omelet. She also mentioned her 2:30 lunch is normally a kale salad topped with dried cranberries and she loves a veggie stir-fry for dinner.

16. Hannah Teter

Hannah Teter changed her diet after watching the documentary, Earthlings when she discovered how “horrible” factory farming is. After a strict vegetarian diet, Teter liked the way she performed as an athlete and believes that her diet helped her win gold at the 2006 games.

17. Maggie Q,

You may recognize Maggie Q as the star of the Nikita series, but in the plant-based world, she’s well-known for her heroic activism. Maggie Q has followed a strict vegan diet for 19 years, making her a true veteran of the lifestyle. She made the plant-based diet transition because she felt sluggish and had low energy, she has said. The famous actress keeps in shape by eating veggies and plant-based protein and working out with a passion.

18. Madelaine Petsch,

Winner of the first Masterchef vegan cook-off with Gordon Ramsay, Madelaine Petsch was raised vegetarian and went completely vegan at age 14. She claims that she started this diet before it was “trendy” and shot a campaign for PETA last year wearing a dress made of bok choy. Petsch says her vegan diet allows her to feel “healthier” and not “lethargic.”

19. Millie Bobbi Brown

After doing a little sleuthing on her social media platforms we think Millie Bobbi Brown qualifies as plant-based. Whether or not she is actually skipping all meat and dairy, one thing is for sure: She eats mostly salads, vegetables and grains and lives a predominantly plant-based lifestyle full of healthy foods.

20. Chloe and Halle Bailey

The grammy-nominated sisters went vegan for a week with their mom but liked it so much they decided to stick with it. For one thing, it helps keep their “voices in shape” by eating a vegan diet and they emphasize the fact that dairy helps to limit extra mucus build-up, according to a PETA interview.

21. Hilary Duff

Best known for her role as Lizzie Mcguire in the long-running series, Hilary Duff is a recent vegan advocate and entrepreneur. She recently launched the vegan and cruelty-free eyeshadow palette, “Day Dreamer” and changed her diet to plant-based last fall.

The post Beyond Meat Giving Away Free Vegan Chicken on National Fried Chicken Day appeared first on The Beet.