Meat Analogues Research Articles

Plant-Based Meat Analogues: Exploring Proteins, Fibers and Polyphenolic Compounds as Functional Ingredients for Future Food Solutions.

As the lack of resources required to meet the demands of a growing population is increasingly evident, plant-based diets can be seen as part of the solution, also addressing ethical, environmental, and health concerns. The rise of vegetarian and vegan food regimes is a powerful catalyzer of a transition from animal-based diets to plant-based diets, which foments the need for innovation within the food industry. Vegetables and fruits are a rich source of protein, and bioactive compounds such as dietary fibres and polyphenols and can be used as technological ingredients (e.g., thickening agents, emulsifiers, or colouring agents), while providing health benefits. This review provides insight on the potential of plant-based ingredients as a source of alternative proteins, dietary fibres and antioxidant compounds, and their use for the development of food- and alternative plant-based products. The application of these ingredients on meat analogues and their impact on health, the environment and consumers' acceptance are discussed. Given the current knowledge on meat analogue production, factors like cost, production and texturization techniques, upscaling conditions, sensory attributes and nutritional safety are factors that require further development to fully achieve the full potential of plant-based meat analogues.

Elucidating the mechanism of inulin-induced improvement in the structural and functional properties of High-moisture extruded products

High-moisture extrusion (HME) has increasingly garnered attention in the production of plant-based meat analogs. Nevertheless, the disorganized structural properties and poor functional characteristics of HME extrudates pose significant challenges to the advancement of plant-based alternatives in the food industry. The coextrusion of proteins and polysaccharides has emerged as an effective strategy to improve the sensory qualities of HME meat analogs. Herein, we investigated the effects of the type and addition of inulin on the structural and functional properties of HME extrudates comprising soy protein isolate, soy protein concentrate, and wheat protein. The results indicated that inulin facilitated the conversion of 7S to 11S globulin and induced a transformation from a β-turn angle to a β-folded protein structure, promoting lamellar structure formation and enhancing the overall stability of the protein matrix. Optimal results were achieved with the addition of 6% long-chain and short-chain inulin. In terms of functional characteristics, the incorporation of short-chain inulin resulted in a superior fiber structure and protein digestibility, whereas long-chain inulin enhanced the water-holding capacity, rehydration rate, and thermal stability. Additionally, intermolecular interaction analysis revealed that these inulin-induced improvements in the quality of HME extrudates are primarily attributed to the strengthening of disulfide bonds and hydrogen bonds. These findings offer crucial insights for advancing the quality of plant-based meat analogs, providing valuable directions for future product development in the food industry.

Inducing melt elongation flow and controlling cooling temperature facilitate the texturization of high-moisture soy protein extrudates

The texturization of high-moisture extrudates is crucial for assessing their texture and palatability. Inducing melt elongation flow and controlling cooling temperature are effective strategies for improving protein texturization in the cooling zone. In this study, a multihole die assembly composed of an 89-hole plate and a cooling die was employed for the high-moisture extrusion of soy proteins. The morphology, textural characteristics, and water distribution of the resulting extrudates at different cooling temperatures were investigated. The results showed that the utilization of a multihole die significantly increased the texturization degree of the extrudates by approximately 30%. Extrudates produced at a cooling temperature of 40 °C exhibited anisotropic and fiber-rich structures. These extrudates had superior elasticity and chewiness compared to conventionally extruded proteins, and they also displayed even water distribution in the textured protein matrices. The acquired knowledge would offer valuable insights into the cooling-induced protein texturization facilitated by multihole die technology, which holds significance for the structural design of plant-based meat analogs.

A Lexicon of Descriptive Sensory Terms for Peas (Pisum sativum L.): A Systematic Review.

The popularity of peas (Pisum sativum L.) and pea-derived products is constantly growing globally and is estimated to continue to do so at an average annual rate of 12%. This is partially stimulated by the increase in the consumption of meat analogues and the popularisation of animal-protein-free diets. Peas are considered a great source of protein and dietary fibre and are not depicted as allergenic, making them a good replacement ingredient for other legumes such as soy. Peas are also considered good for the environment, mainly due to their nitrogen fixation capabilities. Despite the above benefits, sensory quality is still a limiting factor in increasing consumer acceptance of peas and pea-derived products. This review has been conducted in accordance with the Joanna Brings Institute's guidance for systematic literature reviews. The search has been conducted on the descriptive sensory terms for Pisum sativum L., where the objectives of the study were to select, present, and analyse the identified descriptive sensory terms for peas found throughout the academic literature. The reviewers have screened 827 articles, of which 12 were eligible for data extraction. Out of the 12 articles, 205 descriptive sensory terms were identified. Those were divided into five categories: smell/odour (27%), flavour (51%), taste (10%), texture (8%), and visual (4%). These included results from sensory analyses by trained/untrained panels and instrumental analyses of texture and of volatile compounds. The identified descriptive sensory terms for Pisum sativum L. could be used for future descriptive sensory evaluation of peas and other legumes, making the process less time consuming. The full list could be used for the initial sensory panel training and then adapted based on the frequency of the depicted terms that meet the criteria for the developed lexicon.

Assessing the Protein Quality, In Vitro Intestinal Iron Absorption and Human Faecal Microbiota Impacts of Plant-Based Mince.

The nutritional quality of plant-based meat analogues compared to traditional meat products has been questioned in recent commentary, particularly in relation to protein quality and micronutrient bioavailability. However, the attributes of specific products within this category are unclear. We therefore undertook a comprehensive assessment of the compositional and functional attributes of v2food® (Sydney, Australia) plant-based mince, including an assessment of the effects of reformulation, including the addition of amino acids, ascorbic acid, and different forms of elemental iron. The protein digestibility and protein quality of v2food® plant-based mince were comparable to beef mince in the standardized INFOGEST system, and favourable effects on microbiota composition and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production were demonstrated in an in vitro digestion system. The use of ferrous sulphate as an iron source improved in vitro intestinal iron absorption by ~50% in comparison to other forms of iron (p < 0.05), although levels were ~3-fold lower than beef mince, even in the presence of ascorbic acid. In conclusion, the current study identified some favourable nutritional attributes of plant-based v2food® mince, specifically microbiota and SCFA changes, as well as other areas where further reformulation could be considered to further enhance the bioavailability of key nutrients. Further studies to assess the effect of plant-based meat analogues on health measures in vivo will be important to improve knowledge in this area.

Advancing molecular understanding in high moisture extrusion for plant-based meat analogs: Challenges and perspectives

In recent years, meat analogs based on plant proteins have received increasing attention. However, the process of high moisture extrusion (HME), the method for their preparation, has not been thoroughly explored, particularly in terms of elucidating the complex interactions that occur during extrusion, which remain challenging. These interactions arise from the various ingredients added during HME, including proteins, starches, edible gums, dietary fibers, lipids, and enzymes. These ingredients undergo intricate conformational changes and interactions under extreme conditions of high temperature, pressure, and shear, ultimately forming the fibrous structure of meat analogs. This review offers a overview of these ingredients and the molecular interaction changes they undergo during the extrusion process. Additionally, it delves into the major molecular interactions such as disulfide bonding, hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic interactions, providing detailed insights into each.

A Comprehensive Review on Harnessing Soy Proteins in the Manufacture of Healthy Foods through Extrusion.

The global development of livestock production systems, accelerated by the growing demand for animal products, has greatly contributed to land-use change, greenhouse gas emissions, and pollution of the local environment. Further, excessive consumption of animal products has been linked with cardiovascular diseases, digestive system diseases, diabetes, and cancer. On the other hand, snacks, pasta, and bread available on the market are made from wheat, fat, salt, and sugar, which contribute to the risk of cardiovascular diseases. To counter these issues, a range of plant protein-based food products have been developed using different processing techniques, such as extrusion. Given the easy scalability, low cost of extrusion technology, and health benefits of soy proteins, this review focuses on the extrusion of soy protein and the potential application of soy protein-based extrudates in the manufacture of healthy, nutritious, and sustainable meat analogs, snacks, pasta products, and breakfast cereals. This review discusses the addition of soy protein to reformulate hypercaloric foods through extrusion technology. It also explores physical and chemical changes of soy proteins/soy protein blends during low and high moisture extrusion. Hydrogen bonds, disulfide bonds, and hydrophobic interactions influence the properties of the extrudates. Adding soy protein to snacks, pasta, breakfast cereals, and meat analogs affects their nutritional value, physicochemical properties, and sensory characteristics. The use of soy proteins in the production of low-calorie food could be an excellent opportunity for the future development of the soybean processing industry.

Enhancement of Green Production of Heme by Deleting Odor-Related Genes from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Based on CRISPR/Cas9n.

Heme is a crucial component in endowing plant-based meat analogs with flavor and color. This study aimed to develop a green strategy for heme production by reducing fermentation off-odor and accelerating heme synthesis. First, an efficient CRISPR/Cas9n system was constructed in Bacillus amyloliquefaciens to construct the odor-reducing chassis cell HZC9nΔGPSU, and the odor substances including the branched-chain short fatty acids, putrescine, and ammonia were reduced by 62, 70, and 88%, respectively. Meanwhile, the hemA gene was confirmed to be the key gene for enhanced heme synthesis. Various hemA genes were compared to obtain the best gene dhemA, and the catalysis mechanism was explained by molecular docking simulation. After further expression of dhemA in HZC9nΔGPSU, the heme titer of HZC9nΔGPSU/pHY-dhemA reached 11.31 ± 0.51 mg/L, 1.70-fold higher than that of HZC9n/pHY-dhemA. The knockout of off-odor-related genes reduced the odor substances and enhanced the heme synthesis, which is promising for the green production of high-quality heme.

Possibility of Isolated Mung Bean Protein as a Main Raw Material in the Production of an Extruded High-Moisture Meat Analog.

As consumer demand for meat analogs continues to grow, various plant proteins are being explored for their production. This study uses isolated mung bean protein (IMBP) to replace isolated soy protein (ISP), investigating the effects of IMBP content (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%) on the physicochemical and textural properties of high-moisture meat analogs (HMMAs) and exploring the potential of IMBP in the development and production of meat analogs. The results show that IMBP can bind water and cause protein denaturation, thus requiring more time and higher temperatures to be formed compared to HMMAs without IMBP. Additionally, increasing the IMBP content improves the gelling ability, thereby increasing the input of specific mechanical energy. As the IMBP content increases, the fibrous structure of the HMMA also increases. When the IMBP content reaches 40-50%, the most meat-like fibrous structure is observed. The water-holding capacity, water absorption capacity, springiness, and cohesiveness are negatively correlated with the IMBP content, while the oil absorption capacity is positively correlated with it. The integrity index and nitrogen solubility index show opposite trends with the increase in the IMBP content. When the IMBP content is 50%, the springiness and chewiness are the lowest, and the cutting strength is also the lowest, but the sample has a rich fibrous content, indicating that the HMMA with 50% IMBP content is soft and juicy. In conclusion, IMBP has the potential to be a substitute for ISP in the production of HMMAs.

Mushroom-legume-based alternative chicken nuggets: Physico-chemical and sensory properties

The consumer demand for meat analogs (MAs) is on the rise. Soy proteins are frequently used as the primary ingredient in MAs, but soybean may negatively impact human health and cognitive functions. The aim of this research was to develop alternative chicken nuggets using mushroom and chickpea flour. Effect of different sources of mushroom and starch in the textural and sensory quality of nuggets were determined. Phoenix mushroom was chosen based on nuggets' textural and sensory qualities. Different ratios of mushroom and chickpea flour (0:70, 15:55, 55:15, and 70:0, w/w) were tested to prepare the nuggets. Based on protein, textural and sensory qualities compared to chicken and commercial plant-based nuggets, the mushroom to flour ratio of 55:15 was chosen. The results showed that tapioca starch-containing nuggets had a better texture and were more palatable to consumers. The processed nuggets demonstrated lower protein (6.88 vs 11.72%, dry wt. basis) but better cooking yield (87.65 vs 85.29%), moisture retention (77.86 vs 75.16%), fat retention (90.55 vs 88.39%) and higher consumer acceptability than commercially available soy-based nuggets. The results of the study suggest that mushroom and chickpea flour may replace soy protein in meat analogs.

Impact of functional dietary fiber incorporation on the appearance and mechanical properties of extruded high moisture meat analogs.

The effect of including functional dietary fiber ingredients (FDFI) on the texture and structure of high moisture meat analog (HMMA) was examined in this study. The inclusion of FDFI in this application is hypothesized to act as a label-friendly texture modifier in HMMA while also boosting the product's dietary fiber content. Two inclusion rates (5% and 10% wt/wt) of four functionally unique FDFI ingredients (pea hull, citrus fiber, hydrocolloid oat bran, and powdered cellulose) were blended with wheat protein isolate. Each unique formulation was processed using a high-moisture twin-screw extrusion process at two different screw speeds (200 and 400rpm). The type of FDFI added affected the mechanical texture attributes (hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, and integrity index) and in-process behavior (torque and pressure) of the resulting HMMA far more than the inclusion rate or screw speed (p>0.05). The type of FDFI ingredient employed also had the largest qualitative effect on the visual appearance of the resulting HMMA. These observed quality changes correlated well with the physicochemical and structure-function properties of the FDFI ingredients, especially with water-holding and absorption capacities. The incorporation of FDFI is a viable means of modulating HMMA texture and improving the holistic nutrition of these products. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Adding highly functional, dietary fiber-rich ingredients to processed foods is a viable strategy for improving the nutritional and textural quality of these foods. The results of this study imply that these fibers can be added to meat analogs at nutritionally relevant rates, and the texture of the resulting product can be tailored based on the functional properties of the ingredients deployed.

Ingredient Functionality of Soy, Chickpea, and Pea Protein before and after Dry Heat Pretreatment and Low Moisture Extrusion.

This study investigates the impact of dry heat pretreatment on the functionality of soy, chickpea, and pea protein ingredients for use in texturized vegetable protein (TVP) production via low moisture extrusion. The protein powders were heat-treated at temperatures ranging from 80 °C to 160 °C to modulate the extent of protein denaturation and assess their effects on RVA pasting behavior, water absorption capacity (WAC), and color attributes. The results indicate that the pretreatment temperature significantly influenced the proteins' functional properties, with an optimal temperature of 120 °C enhancing pasting properties and maintaining WAC, while a higher pretreatment temperature of 160 °C led to diminished ingredient functionality. Different protein sources exhibited distinct responses to heat pretreatment. The subsequent extrusion processing revealed significant changes in extrudate density and color, with increased density and darkness observed at higher pretreatment temperatures. This research provides insights into the interplay between protein sources, pretreatment conditions, and extrusion outcomes, highlighting the importance of controlled protein denaturation for developing high-quality, plant-based meat analogues. The findings have broad implications for the optimization of meat analogue manufacturing, with the aim of enhancing the sensory experience and sustainability of plant-based foods.

Development and Characterization of Hybrid Meat Analogs from Whey Protein-Mushroom Composite Hydrogels.

There is a need to reduce the proportion of animal-derived food products in the human diet for sustainability and environmental reasons. However, it is also important that a transition away from animal-derived foods does not lead to any adverse nutritional effects. In this study, the potential of blending whey protein isolate (WPI) with either shiitake mushroom (SM) or oyster mushroom (OM) to create hybrid foods with enhanced nutritional and physicochemical properties was investigated. The impact of OM or SM addition on the formation, microstructure, and physicochemical attributes of heat-set whey protein gels was therefore examined. The mushroom powders were used because they have relatively high levels of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and dietary fibers, which may provide nutritional benefits, whereas the WPI was used to provide protein and good thermal gelation properties. A variety of analytical methods were used to characterize the structural and physicochemical properties of the WPI-mushroom hybrids, including confocal microscopy, particle electrophoresis, light scattering, proximate analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic shear rheology, textural profile analysis, and colorimetry. The charge on whey proteins and mushroom particles went from positive to negative when the pH was raised from 3 to 9, but whey protein had a higher isoelectric point and charge magnitude. OM slightly increased the thermal stability of WPI, but SM had little effect. Both mushroom types decreased the lightness and increased the brownness of the whey protein gels. The addition of the mushroom powders also decreased the hardness and Young's modulus of the whey protein gels, which may be because the mushroom particles acted as soft fillers. This study provides valuable insights into the formation of hybrid whey protein-mushroom products that have desirable physiochemical and nutritional attributes.

Impact of lipid droplet characteristics on the rheology of plant protein emulsion gels: Droplet size, concentration, and interfacial properties

Plant-based meat analogs are being developed to address environmental, sustainability, health, and animal welfare concerns associated with real meat products. However, it is challenging to mimic the desirable physicochemical, functional, and sensory properties of real meat products using plant-based ingredients. Emulsion gels consisting of lipid droplets embedded in biopolymer matrices are commonly used to create products with appearances, textures, and sensory attributes like meat products. In this study, the impact of soybean oil droplet characteristics (concentration, size, and charge) on the physicochemical properties of potato protein gels was studied. The oil droplets were either coated by a non-ionic surfactant (Tween 20) or a plant protein (patatin) to obtain different surface properties. The introduction of the oil droplets caused the protein gels to change from mauve to off-white, which was attributed to increased light scattering. Increasing the oil droplet concentration in the emulsion gels decreased their shear modulus and Young’s modulus, which was mainly attributed to the fact that the oil droplets were less rigid than the surrounding protein network. Moreover, increasing the oil droplet size made this effect more pronounced, which was attributed to their greater deformability. Competitive adsorption of proteins and surfactants at the oi-water interface in the Tween emulsion promoted emulsion instability. This research highlights the complexity of the interactions between oil droplets and protein networks in emulsion gels. These insights are important for the utilization of emulsion gels in the formulation of plant-based foods with improved quality attributes.

Plant‐based meat analogues marketed in Catalonia: analysis of contaminants, essential elements, microbiological and physicochemical status, dietary intake estimation and health risk assessment

Abstract The latest barometer of food safety in Catalonia conducted by the Catalan Food Safety Agency (ACSA for its initials in Catalan) in 2021 shows that 28.7% of the population consumes meat analogues (substitutes). The main reasons for consuming this type of food are animal welfare, followed by environmental and health reasons. Due to the increasing demand for plant‐based meat analogues, the number of such products available on the market has also increased. Currently, however, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the composition of meat analogue products and their impact on human health. In this context, it was deemed necessary to complement the first report by the ACSA Scientific Advisory Committee on Food Safety with the present and more specific study on the content of contaminants and essential elements, several microbiological parameters and physicochemical characteristics of plant‐based meat analogues in order to assess the population of Catalonia's exposure to their potential health risks. The results indicate that the content of essential elements (Ca, Cr, Fe and Zn) and contaminants (As, Cd, Hg, Pb and Ni) in the plant‐based meat analogues are mostly of the same order of magnitude as those observed in the meat products evaluated in the total diet studies. The estimated dietary intakes for the evaluated population groups show values well below the toxicological safety values established for the different contaminants. Only for nickel could the risk assessment with regard to systemic contact dermatitis indicate a potential health problem for nickel‐sensitised individuals. The estimated dietary intake of essential elements associated with the consumption of one serving (100 g) of meat analogues hamburgers, or sausages, or meatballs or vegetable strips represents between 6.9 and 67.7% of the established recommended daily intake values. Out of the total number of samples evaluated, “Salmonella spp.” was detected in 6 samples. “Listeria monocytogenes” was detected by PCR in 3 samples; quantification was always lower than 10 cfu/g. The physicochemical characteristics showed very similar values in all meat analogues samples. The observed water activity and pH values favour the growth of microorganisms. To ensure the safety of products it is paramount that the need to subject the food to a complete heat treatment prior to consumption is highlighted on the labelling.

Plant‐based meat analogues marketed in Catalonia: evaluation of the nutritional profile

Abstract In later years, a growing trend is apparent of vegetarian or vegan diets attributable to a number of causes, among of others, consumers’ concern for animal welfare, climate change and, to a lesser degree, for health‐related issues. On a par to this growth, availability of meat analogues in the market has also been on the rise. In this context, an evaluation was carried out of the nutritional composition of plant‐base meat analogues available in the Catalan market in comparison with animal‐based derivatives of similar categories. An analysis was performed as well of ingredients used for the formulation of plant‐based meat analogues, together with the nutritional and health‐related values as stated in their labelling. Results show that plant‐based meat analogues in the market present a great variability in energy content and nutrients, even among products belonging in the same category. This is due to the variability in ingredients and formulations used for their preparation. As far as energetic content is concerned, there is little difference between plant‐based products and animal‐based analogues. Many plant‐based meat analogues are a good source of protein, although some stand out for their low contents in this nutrient. The protein complementation of cereals and legumes is frequent in the plant‐based analogues, and this contributes to increasing their protein quality. Plant‐based products tend to be low in fat, especially in saturated fat, but contribute to higher carbohydrates, fundamentally of complex type and fibre when compared to their animal‐based counterparts. However, plant‐based products contribute to less salt than their animal‐based analogues, though none of them could be labelled “low‐sodium”. Results of this study show the great variability in energy and nutrient content between different plant‐based meat analogues as a consequence of the diversity of ingredients and formulations employed for their preparation. Therefore, it is not always possible to consider them nutritive counterparts for their animal‐based analogues

Development of meat analog patty using lion’s mane mushroom and pumpkin seeds

Abstract High meat consumption globally has caused several problems, such as environmental, animal welfare, and public health issues. Consumption of plant-based meat products or meat analog can be used as an alternative to overcome these problems. In this research, a meat analog patty was formulated using lion’s mane mushroom as a main ingredient as it contains high protein content (20.8%), along with texturized soy protein. Furthermore, pumpkin seeds were also added to provide sufficient iron to the meat analog. This research was done in two stages, in which the first stage of the research was done to observe the effect of different ratios of lion’s mane mushroom and texturized soy flour (30:50, 40:40, 50:30) on the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of the meat analog patty. The analyses done included proximate analysis, color analysis, texture profile analysis, and organoleptic analysis. On the other hand, the second stage of research was focused on determining the best concentration of pumpkin seeds added (10%, 20%, 30%) to the meat analog patty to obtain the optimum iron content. The analyses done included texture profile analysis, proximate analyses, and iron content analysis. Results showed that the selected formulation of the meat analog patty was the one made from a 50:30 ratio of lion’s mane mushroom and texturized soy flour added with 10% pumpkin seeds. It had 0.79 mg of iron/30g of sample and was most preferred by the panelists based on organoleptic tests. The addition of pumpkin seeds did not affect the proximate chemical content of the meat analog patty, except for its moisture content. Regarding textural profile, the meat analog patty made with the addition of pumpkin seeds was comparable to commercial meat analog in terms of hardness while being less springy, cohesive, and chewy. Compared to a meat patty, it had a higher hardness and chewiness value with a lower springiness and cohesiveness value.

Texture of emulsion-filled pea protein-potato starch gels: Effect of processing conditions and composition

From a physicochemical perspective, foods like vegan cheese and meat analogues are complex multicomponent gels. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of processing conditions and composition on the textural properties of multicomponent gels containing starch, pea protein isolate (PPI) and emulsion droplets. Mechanical properties were measured, and structural analysis was carried with CLSM and SEM. In the case of particle gels prepared with maize starch (MS), a higher shearing speed decreased Young's modulus, fracture stress and fracture strain due to break up of the starch granules. In polymer gels prepared with potato starch (PS), structure and mechanical properties were not much affected by processing conditions. The addition of emulsion droplets increased the Young's modulus of MS gels and decreased that of PS gels. In PS gels, the fracture stress decreased further for smaller oil droplets. The addition of emulsion droplets was also found to decrease adhesiveness, cohesiveness and chewiness, regardless of the matrix structure. With protein addition into PS gels, an increase in Young's modulus and a decrease in fracture strain were observed. These results show that processing conditions and composition can be used to modulate the physical properties of complex food systems.

Intervening Effect of Polysaccharides on Structured Soy-Based Meat Analogs by High-Moisture Extrusion

Intervening Effect of Polysaccharides on Structured Soy-Based Meat Analogs by High-Moisture Extrusion

A comparative nutritional life cycle assessment of processed and unprocessed soy-based meat and milk alternatives including protein quality adjustment

Efforts towards sustainable food systems have stimulated the development of plant-based alternatives to meat and milk. However, the debate on the nutritional quality of (processed) plant products compared to animal products remains unresolved, and combined assessments are needed to assess the benefits and trade-offs of these products in future diets. Using life cycle assessment (LCA) combined with nutrient density measurements and the Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS), this case study evaluates different processing stages of soy-based products, including cooked soybeans, tofu, soy drink, and a processed soy-based meat analogue (SBMA) produced in Switzerland. The nutritional LCA (n-LCA) showed that the environmental impact of all soy-based meat alternatives was 4–20 times lower than that of beef, especially when locally sourced soy was used. The differences were smaller when compared to chicken meat. All soy-based products showed lower DIAAS compared to animal products, but the results from the combined n-LCA were always less favourable for animal products in this case study. Contribution analyses showed that despite the high level of processing, the raw materials contributed significantly to the environmental footprint of SBMA, exceeding 50% in some environmental impact categories. Moreover, comparisons within the soy-based alternatives revealed a lower environmental impact of the minimally processed products. The higher protein quality and quantity of the processed SBMA were not sufficient to offset its higher environmental impact in this case study. SBMA also contained highest level of sodium and saturated fatty acids, highlighting the need for careful food formulation. Overall, this study showed the potential of soy-based alternatives to meat and milk to reduce the environmental impact of food production whilst highlighting the importance of considering their nutritional quality and the role of processing. Overall, this research provides insight into the potential of plant-based alternatives to meat and milk for sustainable diets amid the global challenge of climate change and changing dietary patterns.