A multicriteria analysis of meat and milk alternatives from nutritional, health, environmental, and cost perspectives

Summary

This multicriteria assessment compared 24 meat and milk alternatives across nutritional, health, environmental, and cost dimensions, with focus on high-income countries. Unprocessed plant-based foods such as peas, soybeans, and beans emerged as superior across all evaluated domains, whilst processed plant-based products and plant milks demonstrated substantial environmental and health benefits compared to animal products despite higher costs. The findings suggest that a portfolio of replacement foods exists that could reduce nutritional imbalances, dietary risks, mortality, and environmental resource use when substituted for conventional meat and dairy.

UK applicability

The findings are directly applicable to UK food policy and dietary guidance, as high-income countries with similar consumption patterns are the explicit focus. The emphasis on unprocessed plant-based staples (peas, beans, soybeans) aligns with UK agricultural capacity and public health messaging, and may inform government food standards and procurement policies.

Key measures

Nutritional adequacy, health risk reduction, climate impact, environmental resource use and pollution, dietary costs

Outcomes reported

The study evaluated 24 meat and milk alternatives using multicriteria assessment integrating nutritional, health, environmental, and cost analyses. Unprocessed plant-based foods (peas, soybeans, beans) performed best across all domains, whilst processed alternatives and plant milks offered environmental and health benefits over animal products but with higher costs and less climate benefit.

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