Alternative meat in the diets of young children

Abstract

Alternative meat is designed to address concerns about the impact of traditional meat on the environment, animal welfare, foodborne illnesses and human health. The availability, market share and variety of substitute meat products have exploded in recent years. This review will discuss the different types of alternative meat available, the benefits and challenges associated with their production as well as the regulatory and consumer acceptance issues that must be addressed to ensure their success. Cultivated or lab-grown meat is discussed as a separate category from all plant-based meat products because its nutritional composition is much closer to traditional meat. There is limited information about specific alternative meat products in the diets of children under five and the possible role meat substitutes can play in vegetarian and omnivorous diets. When planning a diet for a young child, parents and nutritionists will need to consider the consumption of each alternative meat product in the context of the child’s age, nutritional requirements, health status and the composition of their overall diet.