Plant-based diets are coming to the forefront with many people turning vegan or vegetarian for health and ethical reasons. To cater to this growing demand, many plant-based, veg-only restaurants are opening up. These seem healthy as they serve only vegan and vegetarian dishes.

But in reality, the picture is not as health-friendly. A study published in Nutrients revealed that not all plant-based meals are healthy.

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Risks in plant-based restaurants

The researchers assessed the menus from 561 restaurants across 37 countries, including both vegan and vegetarian (VEG) restaurants and omnivore (OMNI) restaurants, which serve both plant- and meat-based dishes.

The findings of the study were noteworthy. A substantial percentage of plant-based meals served included unhealthy elements like refined grains, such as white rice, white flour buns, and refined pasta. This was evident in 40% of OMNI and 38% of VEG restaurants.

Furthermore, fried food was also common in VEG eateries, 28% more than in OMNI restaurants. Saturated fats from coconut oil and palm oil were also present in many dishes.

Only a meagre 2 percent of the restaurants received a perfect health score, implying that most plant-based meals in restaurants included at least one unhealthy component, such as refined grains or saturated fats. Meanwhile, 14-27 percent of the restaurants included in the study had barely any proper healthy plant-based options.

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Need for transparency

The first impression of anything plant-based is that it is considered healthy. But this is a misconception. Most speciality vegetarian restaurants are marketed as health-conscious, restricting meat, but their meals don’t always meet health criteria. Just because something is plant-based does not mean it is a healthier choice.

The researchers urged for greater nutritional transparency, such as sharing full nutritional information about their dishes, so that customers can make informed decisions.

Plant-based eating is strongly associated with wellness, but the study’s findings illuminated the darker side of plant-based meals in eateries. They still contain unhealthy components like refined grains, fried foods, and saturated fats. This is an eye-opener and calls for more awareness among consumers and a demand for transparency and authentic, healthy plant-based options.

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.