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Hey guys!
Ya know, after what was the third or fourth mention of the new Netflix documentary “The Game Changers” this week – I decided my curiosity was sufficiently piqued to give it a watch.
For those of us who are not aware of what it’s about, in short it is on…
… plant-based diets.
And what an eye-opener it was.
At face value, the evidence of the vegan diet is very compelling, both from a health and an environmental standpoint.
This is backed up by professional athletes at the top of their fields – a sprinter, olympic weightlifter, strongman, NFL linebacker among others – who all swear on the merits of a plant-based diet in traditionally protein heavy sports.
Then the greatest bodybuilder himself swears of the well-being and performance benefits of a plant-based diet.
Yep, even Arnie is on it.
So what?
Hm, so what if this trend starts to become more mainstream?
What if the scientific findings continue to build and support the pros of greener eating, and more and more people choose to become vegan?
How will this affect the meat and animal based industries (a huge part of the global economy) over time, as consumerism changes?
Well, a global shift isn’t going to transpire… yet.
But there are signs that it will.
Let me explain…
In Australia, the plant-based ‘meat’ industry could be worth $6bn annually by 2030 (see here), and UBS thinks it could grow to $85 billion globally.
An example of the market’s attitude towards this new industry, US company “Beyond Meat” (a plant-based meat manufacturer), listed on the stock exchange in early 2019 at $25 a share, and subsequently rode up to a high of $235 per share (it’s now just above $82).
Further, celebrity endorsements of this growing industry has come from such names as Lewis Hamilton, Serena Williams, Bill Gates, Richard Branson and Google co-founder Sergey Brin.
Heck even Jackie Chan is taking part.
What’s so good about plants?
Now I enjoy a hearty steak as much as the next person, but watching this doco had me scratching the three day stubble (barely there) on my chin throughout.
It was littered with anecdotal and empirical evidence that highlights the performance and health benefits of plant-based versus the traditional meat based diet.
Some of the benefits range from reduced cholesterol and increased stamina, to improving erectile dysfunction (looks around the room) and lowering heart disease.
It also highlights links between high consumption of processed or red meat and cancer.
Now I’m not sure if all of the above is scientifically proven yet, but I do know that environmentally, plants are usually better for the environment than say cows.
These gaseous steak-balls contribute more to greenhouse gas emissions than cars – an average cow emits up to 250-500L of methane every day.
What’s Next?
Whether you believe the benefits of the “vegan” lifestyle is up to you.
But I think there’s some value in staying on top of market trends which have a good chance of gaining momentum.
This is especially true in today’s world of social media and celebrity endorsements.
And just think about it, even if you and I shift from eating an animal-based protein meal from 2-3 meals a day, to 1-2 meals a day, multiply that across the globe… then a change like that WILL have major impacts for the food industry in the long run.
But until then, I think I’ll enjoy this steak lunch… with a salad of course.
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P.S If you wanted to check out some industry names, start with some of these:
Impossible Foods (US), Beyond Meat (US), Garden Protein International (US), Morningstar Farms (US), Quorn Foods (UK), Amy’s Kitchen (US), Maple Leaf Foods (Canada), The Vegetarian Butcher (The Netherlands), Tofurky (US), Gold & Green Foods (US), Sunfed (New Zealand), and VBites (UK).
8 Comments
Nina | Lemons and Luggage
Even as a vegan, I haven’t watched that documentary yet. Do you think it’s more useful for non-vegans or should I give it a watch as well?
The Frugal Samurai
If you have a spare 2 hours then yeah! Definitely give it a go, it’s quite informative although I’ve heard some facts are pushing the envelope a little bit, still… was an eyeopener!
Sam Montana
There is actually more science behind the Game Changers than they had time to mention. Science shows that a high fat diet, especially saturated fat is the cause for numerous diseases. Doctors like Dr. John McDougall has been saying a plant-based is the healthiest way to eat since 1983. Other doctors even before that.
I am not sure though if the fake meat industry will continue to be as hot in the future as consumers learn more about health and how high fat is not healthy. And these popular fake meats are high in refined oils and saturated fat.
The Frugal Samurai
Yes you’re right there Sam, I got a feeling it was a bit too skewed in one direction… they never really got into what fake meats consists of aye? Very true about saturated fats, I feel yuck after pigging out on processed food (can probably put fake meats into this category?)
Rennie Chang
Hi Samurai
Interesting blog. I am most intrigued by this statement in your ‘About Me’ section:
“Recently, I achieved a goal I set early on of $1m in net assets before 30.”
Wow!
This is really remarkable, and truly newsworthy on its own. But I couldn’t find much further about it in your posts. I think you would have many more interested readers if you made a post which told us how you got there.
-Whether you went to university, if so what degree you did.
– How old you were when you started full time work and, roughly, how much you earned each year and what you did with that money e.g. how much invested, how much saved being frugal?
– Did you work for an employer or run a business?
-What key investments you made? e.g. property in Sydney? shares in specific companies?
– Whether you got any help from parents or other family?
– How much you borrowed, at what rates and whether you needed a guarantor.
– I think it would be really fascinating if you told us more about your achievement so we could see if it was achievable for us. Because when I read that sentence about 1M net worth by age 30, the first thought was whether I could do what you did!
Thanks for the great blog.
The Frugal Samurai
Gee Rennie… you’ve nailed it spot ON. First of all thank you for this very insightful feedback – muchas gracias. Secondly, yes will definitely take it on board and put something out there asap. Thirdly, y’know I’ve wanted to do it but for whatever reason (fear/laziness) never got really transparent (will look to change this in 2020), stay tuned! And thank you for saying you’re enjoying it!
emma
I am not sure though if the fake meat industry will continue to be as hot in the future as consumers learn more about health and how high fat is not healthy. And these popular fake meats are high in refined oils and saturated fat.
The Frugal Samurai
Yes someone else mentioned that to me as well, about how they are not necessarily the healthiest option out there. Learning more and more Emma!