Singapore is increasingly opting for plant-based diets due to heightened awareness about how meat production impacts both the environment and animals.

Local food businesses have begun offering plant-based alternatives. Some even provide ready-to-eat meals suitable for vegetarians and flexitarians.

Love Handle, Asia’s inaugural plant-based butcher and dine-in deli, strives to make plant-based “meat” appealing to everyone, from vegans and flexitarians alike.

More and more Singaporeans are making the switch

With an increased awareness of the health advantages of plant-based diets, veganism is growing increasingly popular in Singapore, evidenced by its increasing presence on restaurant menus as vegetarian and vegan options become available.

Additionally, new plant-based protein products are currently under development. One such product is Solein: a yellow powder similar to grated parmesan that can replace meat in meals thanks to microbes that feed off carbon dioxide, hydrogen and oxygen to produce this nutrient-rich source of nourishment.

Similar to beef products, textured vegetable proteins can be used to produce sausages, burger patties and nuggets with similar textures and tastes made with these protein sources. But these plant-based dishes offer more nutrition. These products have gained increasing acceptance at restaurants and consumers due to their lower fat levels, higher fibre content and reduced cholesterol levels; some studies indicate a connection between following a plant-based diet and lower risks of heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

Eating out is becoming more vegan-friendly

As Singaporeans become more health conscious, more restaurants are starting to introduce plant-based options onto their menus. Popular steakhouse Bedrock Origin now offers vegetarian beef Wellington and mushroom steak. There’s even a vegan milkshake at Native in Chijmes where customers can pair their drinks with spice-scented jackfruit tacos or meatless nuggets!

Some restaurants also serve dishes featuring Impossible Meat, such as Park Bench Deli’s reimagined ang moh beef burger and Violet Oon Singapore’s Impossible Rendang Pie. Impossible Foods strives to keep their products affordable so that everyone from vegans and vegetarians to flexitarians can take pleasure in them.

Other restaurants have made special efforts to include meat-free dishes on their menus. At Mott 32, for instance, their steamed buns and Sichuan chicken have been designed specifically to cater to a plant-based diet – in fact more and more people are turning towards this way of eating as it helps lower risk factors like heart disease, obesity and various cancers.

The market for plant-based foods is growing

The plant-based market is growing quickly due to increased awareness about its health benefits. Plant-based diets may help prevent diabetes, heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, obesity and lactose intolerance.

Even so, some consumers might have questions or reservations about plant-based foods containing enough protein and calcium. These concerns can be overcome by eating a wide range of plant-based foods throughout the day and including complementary proteins as well.

Plant-based brands are responding to this situation with innovative products aimed at reaching a wider audience, like Love Handle in Singapore – a plant-based butcher and dine-in deli on Ann Siang Hill where its founders strive to make plant-based meat accessible for both vegans and omnivores alike. Their pre-sliced marinated and pre-sliced products range from beefless rendang from Indonesian brand Green Rebel; marinated and pre-sliced calamari from Singaporean brand Growthwell; luncheon meat from Hong Kong OmniFoods as well as their own pastrami and teriyaki mince.

Going plant-based is easier than ever

Animal lovers, environmental activists and those seeking to lose weight and feel healthier alike all find great benefit in adopting a plant-based diet. You’ll get all the nutrients your body requires – protein, iron, vitamins minerals and phytonutrients from whole plant foods such as beans peas lentils nuts seeds avocados whole grains vegetables that contain naturally low calories but high fibre levels to satisfy hunger while supporting an excellent gut microbiome.

Food that meets these criteria can easily be found at your local supermarket or grocer, such as Dong Shan Eastern Highland Healthy Cake House – a modest neighbourhood store selling eggless cakes and pastries – and Xin Yuan Vegetarian Food Trading is an online grocery stall with cooking staples for vegetarian diets. Love Handle, Singapore’s first plant-based butcher and diner is also changing how people think of meatless meals – drop by their place for marinated plant-based’meats’ or dairy-free milk beverages! You won’t regret visiting!