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Going healthy is not the easiest thing to do especially if you're just starting. And shifting from meat to a no-meat diet isn't exactly enticing to the ears, much more on the taste buds.'

Source: The Good Choices (IG)

But times have changed and food, like everything else, is also evolving.

This innovation is in full display with the rise of plant-based food as an alternative for meat products.

To begin with, meat alternatives have been around even before. But what makes the present batch more appealing is how the taste replicates real meat, making it more palatable even to non-health conscious foodies.

As for its surging popularity, this can be attributed to people wanting to lead a healthier lifestyle, growing understanding of the ethical treatment of animals, and worsening climate change.

So whatever your reason is or just plain curious to taste one, here are some of the meatless meat products that you can try:

OmniPork

Source: OmniPork

Fancy meat-free luncheon meat? This Hong Kong brand delivers the goods with its plant-based luncheon meat that surprisingly tastes like normal luncheon meat. This treat is good with rice or bread and is made primarily from wheat gluten, potato starch, and soy protein. OmniPork meat-free luncheon meat has been recently made available in the Philippines.

Burger King

Source: Burger King UK

It sounds too good to be true: one of the world's largest fast-food chains has dished out a plant-based burger. Burger King's Plant-Based Whooper is touted as tasting the same as the brand's signature Whooper. Reviews so far have been favorable, so that's good news.

Shakey's

Source: Shakey's (Facebook)

If you want to go beyond pizza, then sample Shakey's the Goood Burger. This guilt-free snack is made of a plant-based patty topped with tomatoes, pickles, cucumber, and onions.

The Good Choices

Filipino dishes are amazing. Unfortunately, most of our favorite ulam are designed for carnivores. But thanks to The Good Choices, we can enjoy servings of tocino, tapa, longganisa, and lumpia in plant-based form. If that's not convincing enough, then try their plant-based versions of bacon and pork belly. Hungry customers can order on their website.

The Real Happy Cow

TheRealHappyCowPH FB

Another brand that creates meat-free version of Pinoy food staples is The Real Happy Cow. Think of your typical lutong bahay meal like sinigang, caldereta, rendang, nuggets, and even pasta - all in no-meat version. Reach out to them on Facebook.

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