Plant-based meat sold in Australian supermarkets healthier than real meat but may lack key nutrients

An analysis of 790 meat and plant-based products found in major Australian retailers found many important micronutrients that are found in meat were missing from the plant products. Photograph: Rex/Shutterstock

Plant-based meat alternatives in Australian supermarkets are generally healthier than meat products but may lack important nutrients found in real meat, new research suggests.

An analysis of 790 meat and plant-based products found in major Australian retailers has found that plant-based alternatives had a “healthier nutritional profile” overall, but some were higher in sugar.