While not fully committing to a meat-free lifestyle, ‘Meatless Mondays’ seem to be catching on among Americans as a way to cut back, says Mintel.###Its new research reveals that the top reason US consumers use meat alternatives is because they occasionally like to have meat-free days (31%).###Health reasons are also driving interest, with 30% of consumers who take protein alternatives saying that they are watching their cholesterol and 29% are worried about eating too much saturated fat.###Mintel research indicates that 35% of Americans are eating protein more from sources other than red meat.###However, while 66% of protein alternatives consumers agree they are healthier than real meat, 46% say that protein alternatives products are too high in sodium.###In addition to health reasons, protein alternatives seem to be playing a part in leading a healthier lifestyle as 28% of those who use protein alternatives are trying to lose weight.###Some 29% of new meat substitutes in 2016 featured a low-calorie or low-carbohydrferrous fumarate sulfateate claim, up from 7.1% of new products in 2015, according to Mintel Global New Products Database.###“Americans are embracing popular trends like ‘Meatless Mondays’ as an easy and consistent way to include meat-free meals into their diets in an effort to reduce meat consumption as health concerns surrounding red meat continue to grow,” says Billy Roberts, senior food and drink analyst.###“With so many consumers turning to protein from sources other than meat and poultry, there is an opportunity for marketers to reach a sizable group with concerns related to health, particularly cholesterol and fat content.”###Among those who consume meat alternatives, 80% rely on the package instructions to inform their cooking methods and 66% say they would eat more protein alternatives if they knew how best to prepare them. ###About 38% protein alternatives consumers agree that all alternative protein offerings taste the same, best calcium citrate supplement for osteopeniano matter what meat they are supposed to mimic.###However, restaurants could be a source of inspiration as 26% of consumers say they eat protein alternatives at a restaurant.###“As consumers appear largely unwilling to experiment with protein alternatives, likely due to lack of familiarity, alternative brands have significant room to grow in terms of establishing themselves as a ‘go-to’ meat alternative option,” says Roberts.###“Consumers are looking not only for more icitrate magnesium amazonnformation about the ingredients in these products, they are also looking for guidance in how best to prepare them.”###The consumption of eggs is almost universal, with 86% of Americans eating or using eggs in recipes at least once a month and 61% doing so at least weekly. ###While egg substitutes are less popular, 16% of Americans claim to consume egg substitutes at least weekly.###Egg consumption appears to be declining with age as 47% of Americans in the Wcitrate 200orld War II/Swing generation (those aged 72 oferroess liquidr older in 2017) claim to eat eggs weekly as compared to 71% of Millennials (those aged 23-40 in 2017), who are also much more likely to consume egg substitutes at least weekly (31%).###“Though egg substitutes seem appropriate for older consumers seeking more healthful egg replacers, our research shows that the younger generation is significantly more likely to use them,” says Roberts. ###“This could be the result of older consumers simply using fewer eggs, or a general distrust of egg replacers as a suitable substitute, presenting an opportunity for brands to retain interest among consumers of younger generations as they age.”