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Looking for Foods That Are Good for Both You and the Environment?

Posted on: Wednesday, 2 January 2008, 12:00 CST

TURNER FALLS, Mass., Jan. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- More and more Americans are seeking out meat alternatives, and according to a recent survey conducted by Lightlife(R), a leading brand of meatless foods, this trend may be due to an increased awareness among consumers about how food choices can not only impact one's health, but also the state of the environment.

Lightlife's survey found that 72 percent of Americans agree that certain food choices are good for both them and the environment, and that 53 percent of people felt that choosing meatless foods meets both of these needs.(1) However, only 33 percent of those surveyed feel that vegetarian food is just as tasty as food with meat ingredients. In a recent taste test on Chicago's NBC 5 News Today, however, tasters preferred a low-fat vegetarian chili made with Lightlife veggie-based products to the same chili made with beef.

Clearly there is a demand for foods that can help people take better care of themselves and the environment without requiring huge compromises in either taste or lifestyle. But despite obvious concern among Americans about the environment, people still encounter many obstacles to making a difference. For example, Lightlife's survey found that although Americans obviously care about the environment, 34 percent of them don't have enough time to help the environment and 28 percent say they just don't know how. But choosing to eat a more veggie-based diet is one small but significant step, as veggie-based foods take less from the land than meat-based products. Consider:

-- On average, land requirements for meat-protein production are 10 times greater than for plant-protein production(2) -- Producing one kilogram of animal protein generally requires nearly 100 times more water than producing one kilogram of grain protein(3) -- Less than half the harvested acreage in the U.S. is used to grow food for people. For every sixteen pounds of grain and soybeans fed to beef cattle, we get back only one pound of meat on our plates(4)

Consumers often start the new year with an eye toward their health, but they also look for easy solutions -- for which, Lightlife suggests people look no further than their freezer section. Lightlife is unveiling Smart Stuffers, a new all-natural line of great-tasting frozen vegetarian options that are quick to heat and eat from the freezer to the microwave.

The veggie-based Smart Stuffers have nearly half the fat and one third less calories per serving than their meat counterparts, and come in three bold, familiar flavors that are perfect for every occasion, making it quick and easy to make a choice that's good for you and for the environment -- all without sacrificing good taste:

-- Turk'y with Cranberry Stuffing -- Lightlife's cholesterol-free Turk'y with Cranberry Stuffing offers a delicious veggie alternative to this familiar American favorite. -- Chick'n Cordon Melt -- A delicious, crispy, veggie-based version of the popular Chicken Cordon Blue, the Chick'n Cordon Melt is filled with veggie ham and a creamy cheese sauce, making it the perfect meal for the family or guests. -- Chick'n Broccoli Melt -- A satisfying, cholesterol-free stuffed filet, filled with creamy cheddar-inspired sauce and broccoli florets. It's great to savor on those cool winter nights.

In addition, Lightlife's dedication to helping Americans enjoy meat-free food options goes beyond the Smart Stuffers line alone. Other Lightlife products include Smart Dogs(R), Gimme Lean(R), Smart Ground(R), Smart Deli(R), Tortilla Wraps(TM), Smart Breakfast(TM), Smart Patties(TM), Smart Nuggets(TM), Smart M'tballs(R) and a variety of veggie dogs and burgers. All of Lightlife's veggie-based products are wholesome and flavorful, and offer hidden earth friendly benefits.

Lightlife's line of veggie-based foods makes it easy for consumers to eat well and do something good for the environment without making a big investment or any difficult life compromises. You don't have to be a vegetarian to enjoy Lightlife -- you just have to want to do something good for yourself and the world around you. Lightlife: Veggie Goodness for You and the Planet.

ABOUT LIGHTLIFE

Established in 1979, Lightlife is based in Turners Falls, Massachusetts, and is one of the pioneers of the vegetarian food industry. It is a leading brand of meatless foods, with Smart Dog(R), Smart Franks(TM), Tofu Pups(R), Smart Deli(R), Smart Bacon(R), Smart Menu(R) and Organic Tempeh. Please visit us at http://www.lightlife.com/.

1 The Ketchum Global Research Network worked with Opinion Research Corporation to field a telephone study among a representative sample of 1,000 American adult consumers, age 18+. The survey was fielded from September 28 through October 1, 2007, and the findings have a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent at the 95 percent confidence level. 2 Leitzmann C (2003). Nutrition ecology: the contribution of vegetarian diets. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 78 (Suppl), 658S. 3 Pimentel D, Piemental M (2003). Sustainability of meat-based and plant based diets and the environment. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 78 (Suppl), 662S. 4 Gussow JD (1994). Ecology and vegetarian considerations: does environmental responsibility demand the elimination of livestock? American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 59 (Suppl), 1111S.

Lightlife

CONTACT: Amy Morgan of Ketchum, +1-312-228-6934, amy.morgan@ketchum.com,for Lightlife

Web site: http://www.lightlife.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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