When McDonald’s bring out a Vegan alternative burger meal, the McPlant, they have got to know that non-meat diets are becoming a mainstream thing. Even helping to combat climate change.
This article looks at the introduction in the UK of the McPlant Burger and the options that it brings for combating climate change.
There is a growing interest in non- or low-meat diets including Vegetarianism, Veganism and Flexitarian options. Restaurants, supermarkets and, even fast-food outlets like McDonalds are making non-meat meals available.
Non- or low-meat diets can help the environment too. Beef is one of the most carbon emission intensive animal protein foods, mainly due to the methane released during the cow’s digestion.
Indeed, animal farming accounts for nearly a fifth of all Greenhouse Gas emissions, more than all global transport combined.
For McDonalds to bring out a non-meat alternative burger in the form of the McPlant Burger shows that the world’s largest restaurant company is keen on making a change for the good.
So, we are here to see and taste the McPlant Burger for ourselves.
I ordered our meal, which is one McPlant Meal and a traditional beef equivalent burger, the Quarter Pounder with Cheese for comparison.
Finally, here are the two burgers side-by-side. They look very similar with the McPlant in the foreground.
Indeed, they cost same with both burgers coming in at £3.49 but for some reason the Meal options is £4.79 for the McPlant, a full pound cheaper than the Quarter Pounder Meal option at £5.79
In terms of carbon emissions, I’ve estimated that the Quarter Pounder accounts for 2.99 kg of CO2 equivalents compared with the McPlant Burger at 0.29 kg.
To put those carbon emissions into context, for the Quarter Pounder, that’s equal to driving for 10 miles in an average UK petrol car compared with less than 1 mile for the McPlant Burger.
Cost and Carbon emissions are two factors to take into account but the final criteria is how does it taste.
The taste is very good especially compared with previous bean-based burgers that I have tried in the past. The burger was moist & had a bite and taste that was similar to the comparable Quarter Pounder.
It is understood that Beyond Meat are responsible for developing the burger with McDonalds and Kerry International for the Vegan alternative cheese.
So, it is rewarding to see McDonalds offering a non-meat Vegan alternative burger with a low carbon footprint of 0.29 kg CO2e.
It would be good to see McDonalds offering carbon emissions information for each of their meal options to all consumers to make an educated choice for a low-carbon diet.
So, to summarise:
I hope that you found this article useful for your understanding of the opportunities for making informed choices for a low-carbon diet.
If this article advanced your opportunities for making informed choices for a low-carbon diet, please leave a comment in the box below, if this article has help you.
If you enjoyed this article, you should check out our YouTube Channel – EMSmastery, where you can watch our videos, such as our video accompanying this article on Environmentalist tries McPlant Burger v Quarter Pounder – How a burger can combat climate change and subscribe in our YouTube channel for new videos released each week.
#McPlant, #McDonalds, #EMSmastery