“Some people have an intuition that [alternative proteins] might be somehow bad for the environment because it's unnatural and that might upset the balance of nature. But in reality, animal products are one of the worst contributors to climate change and many other environmental metrics that you can think of. So reducing the consumption of animal products is one of the major ways that we can reduce our own environmental footprint currently.” —Chris Bryant
Protein is the building block of life, and it's crucial that we get enough of it in our diet every day. But we're hard-wired to crave meat, plus, we know how challenging it can be to find healthy foods that match up to the rich flavor profiles of meat. That's why there's so much excitement around plant-based proteins: they're taking over the market!
This transition is not only beneficial for our health but it also helps us move toward greener solutions for our health while reducing our carbon footprint. Making this shift can bring about tangible benefits such as improved air quality, reduced waste and emissions, and healthier communities. Moving away from traditional methods of production is essential in order to achieve these goals.
Bryant Research UK is one of the leading experts in advancing protein transition. Their team of experts in social science, market research, and policy analysis helps mainstream meat reduction and alternative proteins. Besides conducting independent research, they also collaborate with alternative protein companies and animal protection non-profits to help speed up this initiative.
In this episode, Bryant Research UK Director, Chris Bryant offers empirical evidence on how protein transition can help create a more sustainable future for everyone. Justine and Chris also talk about what makes protein transition so urgent, how culture and background shape people’s choices, what labels really say about animal welfare, how alternative proteins have progressed over the years, how misinformation affected how alternative proteins are perceived, and how businesses can make a successful transition in this trend.
Meet Chris:
Chris Bryant is the Director of Bryant Research UK. He is an expert in alternative proteins and has published dozens of papers on the social dimensions of the protein transition. He has his MSc in Policy Research from the University of Bristol and his PhD in Psychology from the University of Bath.
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Episode Highlights:
01:43 Moving Protein Transition Forward
05:13 What Survey Says
10:03 What Labels Really Say
14:24 The Truth About Alternative Proteins
17:46 Facing the Horrible Truths of the Meat Industry
20:06 How Businesses Can Make the Transition