Meat Alternatives vs. Ground Beef

 When the second largest burger chain in the U.S., Burger King, begins serving a variation of it's iconic Whopper with a plant-based version we all stand up and take notice.

So What does this mean.  Do we all get into an uproar? or do we look at the facts?

Americans still love beef.  Americans consume about 50 billion burgers a year, with the typical American eating three burgers a week.  In 2018, ground beef made up 40 percent of dollar sales and half of last year's pound sales.  This all confirms that beef is still what consumers love to buy and eat.

The plant-based alternatives do fit a niche and are an important alternative for many reasons.  The trend is growing but it is important to note that it still only represents a fraction of the amount of pounds sold, approximately 0.1 percent.

We all want to know what we are eating.  When you eat beef you are...eating 1 thing, beef.  When you are eating plant-based alternatives you are eating dozens of ingredients so it is important for consumers to understand what exactly they are eating.

As far as sustainability, the cattle industry has grown in leaps and bounds.  Today we are able to produce the same amount of beef with one-third fewer cattle than we did in 1977.

Beef is what's for dinner.  For ideas check out my new cookbook; Beef, Burgers & Bones.
You can purchase a copy on my website: www.kellygraywilliamsbooks.com

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