Many plant-based meals are not as healthy as they may appear—new research shows that refined grains, fried foods, and saturated fats are prevalent in dishes at both vegan and vegetarian restaurants around the world. Are your choices really beneficial for your health?
A recent study published in the journal Nutrients examined menus from eateries across the globe to assess whether plant-based options at omnivore (OMNI) and fully vegan or vegetarian (VEG) establishments are truly healthy by avoiding saturated fats, refined grains, and deep-fried foods. The researchers found that many restaurants offered limited choices of healthful main courses for vegetarians; surprisingly, 14-27% had no plant-based options deemed nutritious.
The study team hopes these findings will motivate eateries to make nutritional details more accessible. Poor diets are linked with chronic illnesses and increased mortality rates worldwide. Only a small percentage of restaurants scored perfectly in terms of healthiness, meaning nearly all menus included at least one unhealthy component like refined grains or fried foods.
With the rising trend towards plant-based diets globally—projected to grow significantly—it’s crucial that these options are truly healthy and beneficial for public health. However, this study highlights areas where improvements are needed in menu offerings across different types of restaurants.
