How healthy are meat and dairy alternatives?

Vegan diets are increasingly popular. As more of us reduce our animal product consumption, countless new meat and dairy alternatives appear on our supermarket shelves. Manufacturers market these products as healthy options (unsurprisingly), but perhaps we shouldn’t be so quick to trust them…
In today’s short episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Sarah ask: are meat and dairy alternatives healthier than their animal-based counterparts?
Follow ZOE on Instagram: / zoe
If you want to uncover the right foods for your body, head to joinzoe.com/podcast and get 10% off your personalised nutrition program.
Studies referenced in today's episode:
How well do plant-based alternatives fare nutritionally compared to cow’s milk?: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
Risks of ischaemic heart disease and stroke in meat eaters, fish eaters, and vegetarians over 18 years of follow-up: www.bmj.com/content/366/bmj.l...
This podcast was produced by Fascinate Productions.

[@davidhiggins5366]

I'm very skeptical of any processed food with meat or plant based and try to eat natural foods both meat and plant based and feeling much healthy

[@DolceArdore]

The food industry does not have a great track record when it comes to manufactured substitutes for traditional foods.

[@SentientMedia]

Hi David, modern animal agriculture is a highly industrialized process. For example, livestock producers rely on antibiotics to keep animals alive despite the unsanitary, crowded conditions they are raised in. Animal agriculture drives deforestation, and most farmed animals are fed soy and other crops that are grown in monocultures.

[@thomasrobinson4401]

Observational Science, carried out by questionnaire? Any links to the quoted studies? Are you saying that soya protein and sunflower oil are healthy?

[@R2D2C3POSKYWALKER]

I have RA, and by going vegan, I am in remission now. I don't eat processed food or gluten too. Whenever I drink milk or have milk products except for Ghee, my hands get numb and swollen, and the pain persists for at least 12 hours. Gluten makes me physically ill for weeks

[@elleh3495]

gluten makes me sick also for weeks. when i was younger i could recover in a day, but mid 40s its now taking almost two weeks to recover from the intense stomach upset and bowel issues

[@donnaadkins2429]

A whole food plant based diet is the best in my opinion for everyone and the planet. However if you are transitioning to a plant based diet then plant based meat alternatives are extremely helpful! I used them back in the day in my transition but now have learned how to make whole food alternatives myself like burgers and sausages. I make my own plant milk using almonds and cashews so I'm confident I don't get all the added nasties and I dehydrate my pulp to make flour for baking. This has taken a long time to get to this stage I would like to point out however, this did not happen overnight or even in a year or two, but it is possible. Good luck to everyone on any stage of your journey x

[@SuzanneU]

If you're using "plant-based" as a euphemism for "vegan", I strongly disagree. There is no universal human and no universal optimum diet. If you're using "plant-based" to describe a diet in which the majority of the calories come from plants, I'd be inclined to agree.

[@donnaadkins2429]

I didn't mention vegan at all actually and I did state that this was my opinion and didn't ask for anyone else's. No judgement on my part.

[@donnaadkins2429]

@@chrisgartenn I completely disagree with your opinion. My comment was primarily about using plant based meat alternatives and not really about agriculture.

[@donnaadkins2429]

@@chrisgartenn again I completely and utterly disagree. I'm not going to comment any further as I am confident in the scientific facts that I have read from world renowned international institutes. You do you and I'll do me.

[@janecreates1]

@@SuzanneU you’re right - everyone’s very different and we need all eating styles to work together to help our planet and our health. Humans are omnivores and benefit over hundred of thousands of years from eating everything except packaged crap whatever it’s made from

[@paulwalsh6817]

I am a vegetarian who tries to keep all animal products to a minimum so I drink plant milks. However I'd still prefer to know their problems, so thanks for this. I personally drink the much maligned soya milk, as the unsweetened version has very good macros, specifically high protein.

[@mjwilliamsb2676]

Me too - I use long life organic unsweetened soya milk, nothing in it except a little soya and water. I have that because it tastes fine in my tea and coffee, and switched after I realised it was dairy causing my migraines.

[@markrieke8753]

I would recommend that you check out Michael klapper sos KZbin about salt, oil and sugar!

[@andrewmainprice2179]

When I was growing up nobody had any allergies at all. During my lifetime allergies seem to be much more common.I wondered if you could shed some light on why this might be thanks Andrew

[@Dormices]

I can add to that from memory, photos, film etc that people growing up in the 50's and 60's were extremely rarely overweight either.

[@annjackson8837]

I was born in 1947, all food was bought fresh. Meals were prepared at home and served at mealtimes, sometimes we had pudding after evening meal. There was no snacking or fast food places. We didn't have a fridge but in the pantry there was a cold slab to help preserve cooked meat, milk etc. Icecream was bought from the icecream man, rarely. There was no frozen food. At school there was one boy in my class who was larger than the rest but he was taller too and in no way obese. Everyone played outside and ran around a lot if you were hungry an hour before tea you had to wait until tea was ready. Cakes and pies were baked at home, and were a lot nicer than shop bought ones. There's a lot more differences and everyone was healthier and didn't obsess about food

[@zanarus1993]

@@annjackson8837 would you agree to stay at home 24/7 and constantly cook, wash, serve et cetera? I am not.

[@TheRst2001]

So many influences i guess , diet , pollution, new crops farmed intensively , massive antibiotic use the list goes on

[@Michael-ug9ge]

It's because of seeds oils and plants. humans should be eating grass fed meats and avoiding vegetables at all costs

[@alanphair7094]

I choose plant based milks to avoid dairy. It’s an animal welfare issue for me. Calves shouldn’t be forcibly removed from their mothers and the mothers shouldn’t be repeatedly impregnated just so that we can drink their milk.

[@maggielauder5971]

Very interesting- I actually make my own nut milk and then use the pulse to make nut bars . Done this for years . As even the better brands of almost / rice Milk is only 4/6 % almonds etc and the rest water 💦 . In my Opinion I do use cows milk but always organic because of the calcium you need . Just because people say they are vegan : vegetarian they are not always healthy but I do get it if it’s for Welfare reason .

[@cristalwizard]

I chose oat milk because animal milk exacerbates my sinus problems. I’m not expecting to receive the same nutrients that I would from oats, but to substitute flavour and consistency. I can also be confident that I am not responsible for any animal’s suffering. I’m pretty sure that oats will also be lower in cholesterol. Did you discuss the animal fat consumption health elements?

[@lpodverde]

You should do an episode on soy, if it's an endocrine disruptor, does it affect estrogen and thyroid, especially in women.

[@CMonsteronutube]

Its hard to find any plant based milk outside the UK that is not chock full of additives, so I've gone back to cow milk. Please could your nutritionists show us how to make healthy plant milks in small batches at home? Or the benefits of say, whole oats or whole cashews to a smoothie instead of using store bought milk products....after all most of these milks are 98% water.....

[@k8eekatt]

There are many videos on KZbin showing how to make nut milk and soy milk. 33 years ago I started making soy milk because my children had dairy allergy. It's a lot of work! I hope you can find some good additive free products. One tip I can share with you is if you pre-soak the nuts overnight and pour out the water, use raw nuts, and blend them well in your blender. I usually add a tiny smidge of salt and a tiny dash of vanilla just because it tastes good. Soy milk is a hot bother. If you do decide to make soy milk make sure you boil the beans at least 20 minutes before blending them to make the milk. You really don't need to filter out the crumbs but most people prefer milk without sediment. You can reuse the sediments in soup if you don't want to waste the good fiber. All the best to you!

[@juliamarsh2077]

Interesting information about plant-based milk. How natural is dairy milk these days? From what I understand it is also highly processed. Even full-fat milk is homogenised. Processed to the point where the fat no longer floats to the top and forms cream.

[@davidmowbray6352]

I buy unhomogenised jersey milk, it's still been pasteurised though. It's getting rarer to find so I might switch to camel milk but that is pricey.

[@zoyailpatel3608]

In my days cows ate grass ,not animal feed with G M I as in the past 10 years,

[@littlevoice_11]

In the past if you were vegan, you were by default automatically eating naturally. But now vegan products are not automatically healthy. Processed food is processed food regardless if it is labelled as "vegan" "plant based".

[@annieeatch9014]

As an aside - I’m long covid. Used to react very badly when getting midge bites. Very little reaction since having covid and very little itching.

[@AnneAndersonFoxiepaws]

I drift between types of milk substitute due to IBS but don't eat meat substitutes, (I do eat fresh fish) at all. In fact I wouldn't know a meat substitute if I fell over it. Unless it's quorn which I have tried or bean curd or tofu which I occasionally use. It's not really as a meat substitute per se but rather something different from eating just vegetables all the time. I don't, as a rule, eat any processed food, making my own from fresh veg and nuts, the only processed food I do eat is cereal and powdered peanut butter which I am pretty much addicted to. However I think, I am eating 30 plus vegetable types a week and also nuts which I grind and eat with cereal. I still have IBS despite having stuck to this diet for the last few years.

[@helenhucker346]

Another very interesting podcast. I assume the food companies are keen to provide plant based alternatives for commercial reasons, certainly if they are selling fewer meat products they need to expand their product range to stay in business. I agree that there is a huge choice of plant milks and the quality varies but I would argue that any plant milk is healthier than dairy milk!

[@bobadams7654]

So an ultra processed, sugar laden artificially sweetened, flavoured plant milk is healthier than raw organic cow milk?

[@itsjustapipedream]

@@bobadams7654 Is it really raw, the milk you're drinking? Or is it also processed - pasteurized, fortified and created in the body of an animal (which is often fed processed foods)?

[@bobadams7654]

@@itsjustapipedream I'm intrigued. What's your definition of raw milk?

[@itsjustapipedream]

I’ve never thought of milk as having the attribute raw before!

[@bobadams7654]

@@itsjustapipedream raw means it's not been treated in any way once it's left the cow. It is tested for tb. The cows are grass fed

[@hamakua484]

Please address the omega 3 and 6 ratios with high omega 6 vegan milk substitutes. Thanks.

[@kufena]

I'd find giving up dairy hard as I love love love cheese in pretty much all forms. However, I do use oat milk for porridge and making smoothies with oats as a component - it's just more delicious than cows milk, in those contexts. You can use oatmeal to make your own oat milk, by soaking it and pressing it. The result, mixed with whisky and honey gives you Atholl Brose, which is also delicious.

[@AnneAndersonFoxiepaws]

Ooh I forgot about Atholl Brose!

[@colarth]

Why no mention of soya milk?

[@seabasst-coffee709]

I guess it depends on if you pour your milk over porridge (with good stuff added) or Cheerios. For me, the plant-based milk's there solely to moisten the dish.

[@rodsheart]

Can anyone advise how I can contact Zoe concerning the kit they have supplied ? Have had a lot of faith in the Zoe study so I signed up for the kit . I have a problem with the app and have sent several messages and have just got the standard corporate messages without any answers

[@maryc6177]

I had a problem with the app, too, and found that if I deleted it and reloaded the app, it worked again.

[@JamesDean-nc3ei]

Grass feed red meat... I think some research have the red meat thing all rong just like they had the egg yoke is bad for u. And sheep put there wast back were it belongs... rather than striping a crop/tree and replacing it with bugger all. Plus the gas that comes out of the rear end of a motor vehicle is a bit more TOXIC. I agree with other videos that u produced, but the por sheep took a bad rap. 🐑. Regards a very healthy sheep farmer from 🇦🇺.

[@frankw9836]

I am 60 years old, i loved meet and dairy products. Having watched many videos how animals are tortured and abused . How cows are made pregnant , kill their babies just to get Milk made me sick . I have changed my diet eating less meat and dairy products and the ones i consume i buy at a local farm

[@sandrialewindon9330]

I drink oat milk because I believe keeping cows lactating for human pleasure is wrong… removing their calves is barbaric and I don’t understand how it is still condoned. I don’t drink cows’ milk because I thought oat healthier! I’ve not seen any marketing that stated this… for example Oatly… neither for the other milk substitutes. I agree the meat alternatives I’ve seen and mistakenly bought, are full of additives so I stick to pure vegetables and pulses now… takes longer to prepare and more planning but it’s worth it… I cannot be an environmentalist and ignore the facts!

[@sherryfader8920]

I think it would have been more helpful to answer outright whether giving up dairy milk for any plant based milk is better for our health. Instead, I feel that the direct answer was avoided by pointing out that plant based milks can be highly processed and are not necessarily healthy. Two different questions in my mind. Whether or not plant based milks are healthy does not mean that they are not preferable to dairy milk. Perhaps I missed it, did anyone get clarity from this interview? Even though plant based milks may not be nutritionally packed, are they still a better choice over animal sources for human health?

[@reviewer1248]

I get so fed up when people talk about eating healthy foods without considering people who cannot eat a lot of these foods because of allergies or chronic disease. I have migraines that are triggered by foods high in tyramine. Restricting these foods lowers the intensity of the migraines. I can’t eat cheese, nuts any fermented foods including soya and some fruits. I am also dairy free because of milk protein intolerance. Is there an alternative way that I can replace the good microbes? Also I can’t fast because it triggers my migraines.

[@natalielloyd9200]

Same here, such a huge frustration for me with Zoe. Particularly when listening to Tim. I cannot eat dairy.

[@jennylwilliams9158]

I was interested to hear your conclusions about milk. I make cashew milk out of soaked nuts and a little vanilla extract and dates. Where would you put that on the healthy scale, am I still missing out by not having dairy?

[@natalielloyd9200]

I would argue yes you're still missing out on ke nutrients if you're making it yourself at home as it isn't supplemented with all the nutrients you need. Store-bought is supplemented with things like calcium, vitamin d and b12 which are essential. FYI I also don't consume dairy as I'm intolerant...very intolerant lol

[@Dormices]

You are comparing two very different foods. It is not milk, it just looks like it. Do you crush the nuts into it or not? It makes a difference to the protein and fat levels. I personally would not add dates as they are so high in carbs but that is me. How does the vitamin/mineral content differ? Pesticide residues...etc. If you have it every day it matters.

[@risenshine2783]

Pjust have milk and insist it comes unhomogenised full fat organic from happy cows living to the highest welfare standards. Look at Mossgiel dairy in Ayrshire

[@frankmedrisch7451]

@@Dormices please don’t say peanut butter. It’s not butter, it just looks like it 🤣

[@Dormices]

@@frankmedrisch7451 ...and nor is it a nut! It is certainly no substitute for butter. Margarine may look like butter but is only a molcule different to plastic. Even flies avoid it.

[@brianhyde4669]

Which is the healthiest of the plant based milks, or the least bad? As a vegan, I'd like to know your opinions. Is it Soya milk?

[@elleh3495]

i think its all based on the ingredients. i drink soy milk, but its organic and the only ingredients is soybeans and water. but the Barista soy milk has carageenan, sunflower oil, glucose and non organic soy beans. read the labels!

[@helenball1106]

I wonder if you have seen Dr Michael Greger’s findings on milk.

[@alexandriapilides]

thanks for this, really interesting! i can see how companies would commercialise the health benefits of plant based alternatives, however most people i know who avoid animal products follow that diet because of environmentalism/over-exploitation of animals. even now i’ve been plant-based for years people still question whether or not i’m getting enough nutrients in my diet. i’d be interested in a talk about tending to your gut health in an affordable and environmentally conscious way. anyone know if one already exists?

[@sisterursuline]

Yes! Fermented foods. For vegans these would be things like pickled veggies, sauerkraut, kombucha, water kefir etc. Easy to make at home and then you know they’re truly fermented. I’m unsure whether plant based yoghurts are truly fermented but if you find a way to make them at home with a similar process to traditional yoghurt, they probably would be a good option.

[@Moniwoniwu1]

What if you just can’t drink milk and need these milk substitutes?

[@pzhlucia]

Make your own then you don't need put extra addictives and you can control the sugar.

[@humbleopinion7694]

I haven’t eaten meat since 1996 I’ve been an ethical vegan for 6 years. I don’t use much milk only on vegan cereal and use oat milk.

[@rosemaryharwood1814]

Very interesting - excellent.

[@jimsimon5706]

Can't see another way of contacting you, but can I suggest you alter the Covid map thresholds again?

[@Olmirz]

Why no comment on Soy Milk? Isnt it purported to be the healthiest plant based milk based on the scientific literature?

[@robinlove6981]

Im at bit of a crossroads when it comes to my vegetarianism (7 years). I still want to eat as ethically as possible but getting enough protein in for me is a struggle when im tall, muscular and workout a lot. I want to get more protein in but using meat alternatives really isnt ideal. Theyre usually full of carbs (aprt form tofu) or highly processed. I understand that animal protein is easier to digest and much better for your body (particularly fish). I leaning towards introducing fish into my diet to improve my protein intake.

[@philiproche7066]

Why do you think that eating meat from terrestrial animal is not ethical and eating meat from water animals (fishes) could be ethical. There is nothing unethical about meat, what could be non ethical is the way they are raised and fed. I always struggle with people thinking that eating animal is not ethical. It is a kind of considering that superior beings should only eat plants and that other animal carnivores are somehow inferior beings. While in the wild, herbivores are generally not the most clever animals compared to carnivores. We are as human part of nature, not above nature and our body is not made for eating plant only... No polemical position here, just questioning :)

[@robinlove6981]

@@philiproche7066 because the way in which we produce meat is so far removed from how we as humans originally got our protein sources. Animals reared for food spend there entire life suffering before they died so I choose not to be apart of that. shellfish don't have the same capacity to suffer and at least live in symbiosis with the environment before they are harvested. The simple act of eating meat might not be viewed as unethical because we naturally can eat meat but in choosing to you are part of a machine that kills animals, animals that don't want to die. Yes we are part of nature but nothing we do works with nature at all anymore. So much so that it's impacting the health of the planet. If you want to live like we are part of nature, go and hunt, fast for a week at a time then.

[@philiproche7066]

@@robinlove6981 Not all animal raising is as you describe. Although I do agree that a vast majority is. I don't subscribed to the differentiation made between fishes and other animals. It is mostly an anthropocentric vision, we care more for those that are closer to us. Some seafood raising is also very bad, see salmons or shrimps that are very intensive or detrimental to the environment. The struggle is to have more ethical or at least more respectful ways to treat the animal we raised for food. Have a nice day.

[@robinlove6981]

@@philiproche7066 I said shellfish not fish and yes I'm a marine biologist and work in fisheries welfare practices so I've witnessed it all first hand. I don't think sentience is a parameter you should always use to determine suffering but mammals reared in farms have a significantly higher level of suffering than a oyster in an oyster bed for example. If you don't need to eat meat, to survive then why do it? Just because we can isn't a viable enough reason when we know the implications

[@sisterursuline]

The vast majority of meat is produced via industrial farming in English speaking countries - Australia, the US and Britain raise animals in this way. The ethical farmers, in many cases, still need to use the same abattoirs that process factory farm raised animals. When they do this, they also often have to transport their livestock long distances, which is stressful, and in many cases those animals are not watered or fed. I am not vegan, but don’t kid yourself. These animals live and die horribly, and if you consume animal products, you should know this and know what you are paying for. Re the commenter above, if you consume wild caught fish you will bypass much of the cruelty of the animals life, but not their death. You could look into eating bivalves for protein, as many people don’t believe they’re sentiment - but then you need to be careful as they are such good sources of vitamins, you don’t want to eat too many. Alternatively, instead of fish you could find somebody who sells eggs from backyard hens. I know vegans will argue against all these options, but people with pet chickens who might be willing to sell you their eggs are not going to be engaged in standard agricultural practices like sending their chickens to slaughter every couple of years when their laying slows.

[@mockturtle1402]

What's wrong with saturated fat? There is no evidence that proves it's bad for us, despite them searching for 70+ years.

[@joyceweeks228]

Yes, agreed. Have a look on the Public Health Collaboration for a talk by Zoe Harcombe from this year's Public Health Collbration conference . She use to be a vegetarian/vegan, not any more!!

[@TheRst2001]

Have researched a ton of meat and plant based research on utube in recent weeks and purchased some research books. . Ps my diet is high meat high dairy Inc milk eggs cheese. And also leaned towards meat etc being OK from all the new talk I have heard lately. I have found myself going the other way to plant based food as The plant base evidence of fibre and unsaturated fat is overwhelmingly more beneficial than animal Saturated fat and totally convincing when following the research data back to source. The keto research really is poor , and much of it simply untrue , supported by influencers, well known people not really understanding statistical data and ofcourse the huge commercial influence of meat dairy agriculture industry interfering and tarnishing the data . Using the same principles as the oil industry did with global warming . Its a right crapper cause I love meat but I'm on statins and hbp medication, so looks like quality bbq only for me now , veg 6 days a week 🤪🥳

[@csmith-fh2lx]

Zoe is totally out of touch re saturated fats and animal products. Just so rigged and ignoring the huge research on the health benefits of our ancestral diet. I have no faith anymore in Tim Spector or Sarah Berry. It's disgraceful, really.

[@ceciliaferraro6360]

Thank you thank you thank you great great great.

[@juhamakela8744]

First of all…. If we focus on food waste (roughly 35% goes to waste) overeating and we utilize byproducts of agriculture and food production better, these three things alone would feed growing population in the future without any additional production. That would be beneficial to our health, our wallets, environment and health care system. I hope that would be one thing our nutritionist could point out too Unfortunately, food industry is not interested in doing so, but developing alt-this and alt-that, which by the way, we have very little long term experience if at all. We can all agree that healthy diet is good thing, but even experts do not agree what is a healthy diet, but thing a thing still stands out, the less processed the better All these alt-stuff are usually ultra processed, loaded with additives we common consumers haven’t ever heard about But one thing I am happy about, experts are more often talking about personalised diets. Me, as a example, have followed loosely Nordic diets and healthy lifestyle but eventually got t2d. Now I gave up most of the “healthy” carbs and glucose levels are as healthy as could be

[@elizaphe58]

We all eat too much!

[@rachealselvaranijames3547]

very interesting

[@heynadia]

So tofu is healthier than animal products?

[@paulperrin4574]

Processed bad, cows milk for calves...

[@peterjgreaves]

Using climate change to advocate not eating meat makes me cry. I have been working at fixing climate change for decades. We used to talk about air miles, because you eat your weight in flown in food during your life time. If you want to save the planet, eat seasonal and local. Flown in food which includes animals does way more damage than cattle including beef, three times the damage using their carbon calculators. methane which animals produce is 25 times more warming than C02 but disappears in decades, c02 disappears over 100000 years, but a lot is absorbed by the oceans and trees. Nitrous oxide produces 300 times more warming than co2 and takes about century to disappear. Nitrous oxide is used in fertiliser which is used to produce planets and animals. The fertiliser factories in the USA (Europe not so sure) self report emmissions, they have been found to massively under report their methane emmissions, which is part of the production method. If you want to save the planet we need to go back to using floods like the egyptians and animals to fertiliser the land, leave it to mother nature. At the moment good intentioned fools like Doctor Berry, are wanting to swap a disaster for a mega disaster. It makes me cry how food companies fiddle the science for commerical gain. If you want to save the planet by not eating meet, ensure you first stop eating food produced by commerical fertliser, organic fertlisers are fine, stop eating flown in food and perhaps cut a flight out or two. climatechange.lta.org/get-started/learn/co2-methane-greenhouse-effect/

[@virginicaanderson1569]

Here we go again! We have so called "scientists" distorting the science of nutrition to fit the political agenda! Just like with Covid the experts are changing the narrative. It looks like we have to return to the 80s early 90s science for some integrity of the information as today's one you can almost guarantee to be false. Well, I have got a severe form of oppositional defiant syndrome and that is now topped up with distrust of anything this people are trying to push!

[@sisterursuline]

It’s hard to accept, but factory farming accounts for far more impact than the things you have listed. The impact of factory farming swamps the impact of transport and that includes for food. I’m not sure when you became an activist, but if it was before the industrial food system then this info has sadly changed. That’s not to say that organic methods and local production isn’t important, but reducing the impact of animal agriculture is now really crucial. Also because most of the corn and soy grown is for animal feed, which adds to the industry’s impact

[@Cloppa2000]

How refreshing!!! Your guest Sarah speaks the truth for the most part! (There is not one study that shows that red meat has unfavourable health effects on us when isolated from what else we ingest with it!) I am a bit shocked though that you Jonathan are surprised that plant based milks are not as good for you as you thought! Firstly you seem to believe that the juices rendered from beans, nuts, oats, rice etc are actually milk! You must surely be aware that they can only call these juices milk because of the colour! You could have beetroot milk, carrot milk or even brick dust milk if you just add the right colour to it! They are in fact water mixed with tiny amounts of bean juice, nut juice, rice juice and oat juice and even this is not the whole story because other detrimental processes and ingredients need to be added to these juices to extract them and make them drinkable let alone palatable! So please stop referring to these abominations as milk or milk substitutes! Secondly why on earth would you (an educated person) believe that these adulterated, highly processed, artificially produced, juice substitutes would be good for you? Oat milk: Ingredients: Oat base (Water, Oat (9.8%)), Soluble corn fibre, Sunflower oil, Calcium (Tri-calcium phosphate), Sea salt, Stabiliser (Gellan gum), Vitamins (B2, B12, D2). Rice milk: Ingredients: Filtered Water, Organic Whole Grain Brown Rice, Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Organic Expeller Pressed Canola and/or Organic Expeller Pressed High Oleic Safflower Oil, Tricalcium Phosphate, Sea Salt, Organic Vanilla Flavor, Natural Flavor, Carrageenan, Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin D2, Vitamin B12.. Do I need to go on? I didn't realise this was a vegan channel til the end. Good luck to Vegans and Vegetarians.. just eat the real 1 ingredient foods and don't buy into the fake milks and equally bad fake meats! They're taking healthy products and making them into Franken-veggies.. Stay pure and be well..

[@jaishankarravindran2242]

Have physical activity with animal based products.

[@user-th3tv6pm6j]

First time I have been disappointed by one of your videos. Not enough information given - is all dairy equal? Cow, Goat, Sheep - milk, cheeses, yoghurts, kfir? The emphasis is on plant based but then there seems to be an acceptance of everything except red meat. Almost as if it is necessary to be so careful not to upset people. Plant based is best - in which case where does meat or animal products and dairy from different sources come into this? Should we combine them, should we eliminate? This was very unclear. Also soy was not mentioned once.

[@caroleh4900]

As if the only alternative to a meat burger is a vegan processed fake burger or just a tomato on a bun . What happened to a healthy lentil and bean burger or diced mushroom and walnut and onion burger etc . Both have similar texture to a burger . Are healthy and infact in my opinion are much tastier . Also why is dairy milk healthier when its full of growth hormones and antibiotics and pus

[@denisemeredith2436]

I wonder if the nutritionist is vegan or vegetarian because she seems to favour a meat free diet? Personally, I will continue to be an omnivore and that way I can avoid eating a bunch of chemically enhanced vegetables that have been manjpulated to mimic the taste of meat. Has there been a study on the effects of eating over processed vegan and vegetarian food?

[@mjwilliamsb2676]

Probably not yet, but the fact is 'vegan' doesn't necessarily mean 'healthy' or 'natural', vegans eat rubbish too, and in my humble opinion, most of the mass produced supermarket 'meat substitute' and processed vegan foods are just as bad as your average highly processed foods like ready meals that non vegans eat. It is possible to be vegan and eat healthily, but it means cookiing from scratch with whole food ingredients (preferably organic, especially for vegetables and especially in America).

[@iwillriseagain1118]

You can be vegan and not eat these foods. They aren't required or anything.

[@frankmedrisch7451]

Watch Professor tim spector’s what i eat in a day video. Seems all nutritionists are vegan biased fanatics. Or maybe…

[@chilwinful]

Interesting, as I do prefer a vegan diet most of the time, I've now decided to make my own oat milk, then I know what's in it.

[@masonfreeparty]

you are best doing coconut milk..oats are for porridge not wasted on oat milk

[@TheRst2001]

@@masonfreeparty coconut milk would that contain saturated fat ?

[@masonfreeparty]

@@TheRst2001 yes high fat content but not neccessarily bad fat

[@peterjgreaves]

For give my spelling wrote this in a hurry.

[@dah1777]

Wat was the relative numbers between the wild buffalo that roamed North America prior to their slaughter and modern domesticated cattle. I would suggest the difference is insignificant in the realms of climate change.

[@lindasmith6786]

The difference is their chopping down thousand of acres of forests to cultivate land to raise cattle etc. Plus native American Indians didn't kill more than they could eat.

[@kevinseymour3725]

There was belived to be 30 to 75million Buffalo in NA, currently there is 140 million Cattle. The animals also give off different emissions, buffalo 25-31 kg CO2e & cattle 58-70kg CO2e, so a huge difference.

[@mvl6827]

How healthy? . All those expensive alternative meat and dairy lookalikes are artificial made products and a lot of them legally need additives to resemble the nutrition of real food. . Avoid at all cost. It’s easier simpler and healthier to just eat less meat or dairy and more fruit and veg.

[@eleanorkidd5840]

No mention of soya milk

[@vision_thing]

essentially this podcast is an overview with little actual info or help on what is good and what is not. Needs more work. D-

[@suzzzy8669]

If animals are more productive of emissions than cars ? Has anyone worked out human emissions v cars etc? It would appear that statistics can be made to fit any narrative

[@martinattwood7801]

Correct

[@oldplucker1]

No baked beans from now on!

[@frankmedrisch7451]

??? Cows digest through a process called enteric fermentation, which humans dont have. Enteric fermentation results in methane (CH4) which is at least 25x more warming than carbon dioxide. Educate yourself

[@Dormices]

@@oldplucker1 Especially not with brussel sprouts!

[@chrissieb2267]

Oat drink and almond drink have 16+ ingredients! My organic local milk has just one! And the environmental impact of growing almonds is huge, and don't get me going on avocados! I prefer a whole food diet cooked from scratch, try to eat seasonally, sourced locally. No ultra high processed food and that includes vegan and vegetarian. Small amounts of organic free range meat, dairy, eggs and sustainable fish.

[@pamcawthorne5115]

Eating seasonally must be better than say shipping beans from Kenya, who use their precious water supplies to feed us! Vegetables also come with "issues" , unless we consider where and how they are grown.

[@sisterursuline]

If you’re upset about the impact of growing almonds, you’re going to be SUPER upset about the impact of raising cows for dairy.

[@masonfreeparty]

fresh coconut milk is the best..loads of fat and calories for your buck..make it yourself,2pts for around 70p

[@MorrisTart]

Not really a podcast is it? No RSS Feed, can't integrate with podcast players, requires KZbin with all the troubles that brings. If you want to call it a podcast then check out BBC, The Guardian, New Scientist, Nature Magazine, Scientific American, Numberphile to see how it's done.

[@carolelawrence7607]

What about the amount of antibiotics that are pumped into over milked cows who have developed mastitis? This will be present in the milk. This is not healthy for humans and absolutely devastating for the cow, who will have had her calf taken away from her too.

[@ogeoge6000]

Cows are part of the solution to climate change : ) I recommend reading this book or searching the authors videos. Sacred Cow: The Case for (Better) Meat: Why Well-Raised Meat Is Good for You and Good for the Planet. Book by Diana Rodgers and Robb Wolf

[@Sturzfaktor2]

Unfortunately, this is not compatible with scientific evidence.

[@ogeoge6000]

@@Sturzfaktor2 Thanks for your reply. The book "Sacred Cow" is based on science and it's full of scientific references. Some more information about the book; Product Description We're told that if we care about our health-or our planet-eliminating red meat from our diets is crucial. That beef is bad for us and cattle farming is horrible for the environment. But science says otherwise. Beef is framed as the most environmentally destructive and least healthy of meats. We're often told that the only solution is to reduce or quit red meat entirely. But despite what anti-meat groups, vegan celebrities, and some health experts say, plant-based agriculture is far from a perfect solution. In Sacred Cow, registered dietitian Diana Rodgers and former research biochemist and New York Times bestselling author Robb Wolf explore the quandaries we face in raising and eating animals-focusing on the largest (and most maligned) of farmed animals, the cow. Inside, Rodgers and Wolf reveal contrarian but science-based findings, such as: Meat and animal fat are essential for our bodies A sustainable food system cannot exist without animals A vegan diet may destroy more life than sustainable cattle farming Regenerative cattle ranching is one of our best tools at mitigating climate change You'll also find practical guidance on how to support sustainable farms and a 30-day challenge to help you transition to a healthful and conscientious diet. With scientific rigour, deep compassion, and wit, Rodgers and Wolf argue unequivocally that meat (done right) should have a place on the table. It's not the cow, it's the how!

[@Dormices]

@@Sturzfaktor2 Science based on computer projections is not settled science. There is plenty of science that says otherwise but is suppressed because the politicians want to raise taxes because of so called global warming. If you want to have something to ponder over see how close Obama’s new beachfront property is to the sea level. He isn’t worried about rising sea levels nor is Bill Gates. What do they know? Indeed my own home is very close to the sea level. Aged 74 I have seen a lot of weather but no consistent overall change.

[@annettestephens5337]

So agree with you and believe the Zoe scientists to be WRONG!

[@virginicaanderson1569]

@@annettestephens5337 They are turning into political propagandists just like the rest of the "scientists". Cuz of science! I feel we are back during the Middle Ages with this mentality.

[@almo1956]

Why is she reading a script?

[@annettestephens5337]

Sorry Zoe but I believe you are quoting utter nonsense regarding health benefits of alternatives (both in terms of human and planetary health). Alternatives are PROCESSED and in by book are to be avoided. Eat foods, animals and or plants in their original natural states like humans have done for thousands of years, prior to the processed food industry began.

[@martinsherry]

you might want to listen to the podcast before commenting……………..

[@MsOka007]

I never eat process food, vegan or not. I dislike meat, so I don't need replacement. I also don't like dairy milk but use organic almond milk for various recipes. Don't believe dairy milk is best, nonsense.

[@barriesmith3489]

This is to me aware of time as I have no intention of changing my food intake as I don’t believe the hype of climate change or that animals are destroying the world

[@Dormices]

I totally agree! The science is based on computer studies [and 'adjusted' temperatures] so they are only guesses. Over my 74 years of life I have heard a lot of climate predictions and they simply fail to come true. I live very close to sea level and nothing has changed in 74 years. I see Obama is building himself a place extremely close to sea level, you can see how little he fears it!

[@hvhvgitaar]

You are free not to believe that climate change is happening and that it is caused by human behaviour. The scientific evidence that you are wrong is however overwhelming.

[@Dormices]

​@@hvhvgitaar I find the evidence of my own eyes and my experience counts for more for me, than a computer projection or even 10. I am 74 years old, I have seen prediction after prediction fail to come true. Assumed patterns for, say, the Atlantic Conveyor have not followed projected patterns. There is some evidence all the planets in the Solar System are heating a bit depending on distance from the sun. That points to the sun and its cycles rather than any manmade cause. NASA said quite recently the various cycles and patterns are very hard to predict. Of course you are free to believe what you do and be happy to curtail your comfort levels for your cause. It doesn't persuade me and it will make no difference anyway. However efforts to lower Co2 levels [already pretty low] could kill all life on the planet long before zero Co2 including all plant life. Co2 levels rise 600 years after heating not before. But hey, it can be measured and used to extort money from frightened citizens. Interesting that you would rather believe a computer projection over actual evidence. Probably you are a troll.

[@oldplucker1]

Grass fed red meat?? Is it actually healthy? Lets see some research. Also the under 60s have a different reaction to natural toxins in plant foods. So young people don’t see the hidden problems whereas older people still remember the diet they ate when younger with no apparent ill effects. Older people’s bodies do not cope so well with various foods. So age is very important when judging foods. Food manufacturers are interested in making food taste good but not concerned about hidden chemicals and antibiotics in food. Over 60s might do well to skip all chemically processed foods and those with ingredients marked in bold. I found the most dangerous foods are the ones which thicken the blood. These are mostly brassicas. Followed by fried food and foods processed with Nitrites ( Not Nitrates) Blood clot meal menu Chips Bacon Sausage Ham Broccoli (Washed down with inflammatory) Alcohol

[@Dormices]

@oldplucker1 Yes, age certainly makes a difference but so does timing. I comfortably survive eating before noon foods that would certainly keep me awake at night if I had them after a surprisingly early time in the afternoon. Thinking about blood clotting reminds me of the dangers of dehydration, brassicas and dehydration would not go well together.

[@mjwilliamsb2676]

You left out all leafy greens - its not just brassicas that contain good levels of Vitamin K. Anyone with a clotting problem should avoid consuming too much vitamin K. As for brassicas, they actually help prevent cancer and reduce its activity if you already have it, so best included in the diet, preferably with some being eaten raw. Daily consumption of bella verdi broccoli is recommended by oncologists in men with prostate cancer. As for grass fed meat, yes, its much healthier than meat fed on other stuff, but that does not mean its actually healthy to eat it frequently.

[@oldplucker1]

@@mjwilliamsb2676 The problem is that as people get older their blood gets thicker. Hence why so many get put on blood thinning meds. So Brassicas which have very high levels of vitamin K can be deadly for older people. And we do not eat fish like they once did. Our port and Quays are all developed into waterside housing estates. So no more fish coming in. People once ate plenty of fish which thins the blood. The Mediterranean people’s diet still consists of plenty of fish so the blood thinning effect of fish is counterbalanced by Broccoli and the like. Most people do not consume much fish in the UK hence the blood clotting problems. Alcohol and smoking also contribute to clotting. Poor gum health causes plaque to form in the arteries and older people are more likely to have poor gum health. So diet and oral hygiene is even more important in the older population as is exercise and resistance training to build muscle. Most old people have the wrong diet, don’t exercise and have worse gum health than younger people. So there is no magic pill from the doctor. But people can radically alter their health and longevity by simple measures outlined above.

[@mjwilliamsb2676]

@@oldplucker1 Spinach has 4 times the amount of Vitamin K compared with broccoli, so if you're concerned about blood clotting, then you'd need to avoid leafy greens too. As for the fish effect,its only oily fish that affects the viscosity of the blood and most older people I've known throughout my life have taken cod liver oil daily anyway, usually to try to help arthritis. As for fish consumption, that's my primary source of animal protein and I am in the UK - I eat a mix of mostly oily fish and shellfish every week, much, much less meat, and I'm old now.. And I have a genetic clotting problem anyway... but I eat loads of green vegetables, especially brassicas, take Vitamin K2 (not K) daily along with D and calcium/magnesium, and no clots.

[@oldplucker1]

@@mjwilliamsb2676 I don’t touch spinach either. My comment was not meant to be a complete write up and Yes obviously the oily fish. Oily fish was once loaded onto or local Quays by the ton for locals with buckets to buy. Now all we have is benches and riverside housing.

[@brianfretwell3886]

As plants can have diseases as well as animals it would depend on the individual plant or animal as to which is healthier. On the other hand if you mean is are they better for the consumers health it could be different. Also why say dairy? I've never eat a dairy (too much stainless steel and concrete). I think you mean dairy PRODUCTS not the actual dairy!!!

[@Gonergrat]

Eat beans avoid fish, there is too much overfishing

[@davew2452]

Nothing wrong with grass fed red meat. Sad that we getting these biased messages from Zoe

[@TonyKnowsBall]

They’re just looking at the science mate

[@janecreates1]

This is very misleading. Most packaged veggie food is very un healthy. Milk is also the worst of the dairy products. Compared with alternative milks there’s not much to choose in coffee and tea. For cereals which are also a daft modern invention and lazy way to eat, try kefir or yoghurt both which have been fermented are far better than both. Demonising red meat is also problematic. It is poorly raised unhealthy cattle that give unhealthy meat which has bad affects on human health and eating TOO MUCH MEAT! Our ancestors ate meat infrequently but it still triumphs for the simple fact that our bodies find it far easier to get amino acids and collagens etc and proteins in the correct balance - many humans simply do not have the right gut to process vegetarian food in the quantity that a vegan diet requires. Yes we need to eat a lot less red meat but if it is properly raised in tune with nature and in far smaller quantities it is still in glance with our eco structure and far better than heavily manufactured packaged Frankenstein veg burgers and substitutes which in there very making use far to many valuable resources and are NOT GREEN - I am sick of self righteous prigs telling these lies that red meat is bad for you when there’s so much rubbish alternatives which are really really bad and so far from nature that they kill the human organism and contribute to cancer and diabetes even more

[@einsteinwallah2]

define vegetarian

[@lindathompson6378]

They're not

[@Dormices]

Vegan is not so much more popular as a lot of pressure is put on people for political reasones.

[@cnrhghs]

Hard to believe she would choose dairy milk over, say, something like whole soy milk. Lots of science says dairy milk is bad for health.

[@epifanioesmero536]

What a lot of nonsense!!

[@deborahsmith1132]

This podcast disappointed me, lots of old debunked science regarding saturated animal fat and heart disease.

[@Michael-ug9ge]

Plant based milk will never be healthier than grass fed raw milk

[@myggggeneration]

Why did you even bother, that was so predictable and btw your bias is showing. Debate taste all you want, but when it comes to *healthy or not* present the research!!

[@csmith-fh2lx]

Agree. Zoe is biased against red meat with no evidence.

[@michaelstreeter3125]

Disliking because subtitles/transcript is not available. 🦻❌

[@michaelstreeter3125]

@@hannahreynolds7611 Sometimes they turn up more than 24h later - I suspect some uploaders turn them on only after feedback, but I can never know if that's true or not. Anyway, they're there now. So I'll change it to a like.