Are Quorn products safe to eat on a longterm basis?

Question

I've heard that there was a lot of controversy over the "microprotein" that they consist of : studies that it raises the bad cholesterol levels and that no one it certain if it is good for a person since it is fungus. If true, does anyone have any other suggestions of products that taste as great (quorn products taste excellent)?

Answer 1

Quorn hasn't been around long enough to truly know what the long term effects are (thus the controversy). I do know that at least some of the negative data has been generated by meat industry sources (along with the anti soy stuff). I have tried their chicken patties (the only one of their products available in my area) and had no problem except I just didn't like them. My usual chicken substitutes are the Morningstar Mealstarter strips (vegan to boot) and their patties or nuggets (not vegan).

Hmm; I hit their website while answering this and was surprised to see their american products aren't vegan ((I thought they were) I'm strictly vege but not strict vegan)). For hotdogs I prefer the Worthington frozen ones (altho their taste is kinda weird I like it) or Tofu Pups (taste/texture not at all like what I remember "real" ones being like) but I've fooled meateaters with the Yves and Morningstar ones.

Fungus/mycoprotein eating is not automatically bad! Almost all the cheeses depend on it along with tempeh (I make my own quite often). Don't forget that many Latinos eat a black corn fungus (I've tried it and really like it) and finally since yeast is a fungus most breads are full of fungus/mycoprotein along with alcoholic drinks and nutritional yeast.

The gist of the matter is that since the Quorn people wanted a patentable product they dug up (literally, they found it in a soil sample) a novel fungus who's long term effects can't be know.

Answer 2

If you have a sodium deficiency, and crave salt, please see your doctor. Manufacturers don't like to talk about sodium because they use it so much to replace nutrients and preserve flavor. If you start getting fluid bags under your eyes or your fingers swell, it's time to wean yourself off the sodium. Avoid casseroles, sauces, soups, and frozen dinners, which are full of sodium. As you become less dependent upon sodium, it will soon take like soap, and you won't want it. Look for low sodium foods, NOT low fat. Low fat foods contain a lot of sodium, but low sodium foods also contain low fat! The average person consumes 4-6 grams of sodium per day; the acceptable amount is around 2 grams. You are killing your heart by taking in more than what you need. If you take in too much, drink LOTS of fluids to wash it out of your system. Remember in science class when you shook some grains of salt onto a small puddle of water and the salt absorbed it all up? That's what happens in your blood stream. Eventualy it will clog your arteries. If you go on a low-sodium diet, the added benefit is LOTS of weight loss; I lost over 30 lbs without dieting; all I have done is eat low sodium! Why is this not promoted at the perfect diet? Read the labels; most food manufacturers would have to find a better way to preserve their foods, and cannot do so without losing a lot of money; they just don't want to address it. Some sodium is necessary for balance; don't cut it out completely. If you lack too much sodium and then eat a sodium-rich meal, you could have a heart attack. Wean yourself slowly, and then don't eat a high sodium meal. Everything in moderation is the key. Once you get over your taste for salt,you will be much healthier. Use lots of herbs and spices as replacements and your food will taste much better, too. I like rosemary, thyme, and/or sage on everything, and some butter.

Answer 3

http://www.cspinet.org/quorn/
I am conservative with my food as I have lots of allergies. The website I gave here is 1 of many that are are doing the health debate on this line of foods.

Answer 4

The only thing I have read is that 5% of people have allergic reactions to it. I would not suggest eating the same thing of anything everyday though.