Blog

4

I'm surprised I haven't seen this here yet.

I was wondering what people's thoughts here are on Quorn, a man-made protein product. It's not made from grains or soy. It's a mycroprotein.

http://www.quorn.us/About-Us/

I normally eat eggs and fish for fat and protein. However, I used to use Quorn (I know it's probably NOT paleo) and am wondering how "bad" it is. I don't like red meat because of the texture but find that Quorn is a compromise substitute that my boyfriend doesn't mind.

flag
2 
 Thanks for writing this question. I thought Quorn was an American metal band. – Ed♦ Mar 24 2012 at 22:32

10 Answers

7

It's highly processed with various additives, so it's quite bad IMHO. I used to eat that a lot when I was living in the UK (I had a phase where I tried to limit real meat 12-14 years ago).

link|flag
Yeah, I used to eat the ground kind a lot. I don't know what compelled me to write this question. I guess I felt that I wanted to vary up my protein a bit with something other than eggs and fish. However, I think that just sticking to those two will be just fine and not a problem at all. I also don't like their use of eggs as a binder since I try to eat pastured eggs only. Quorn was something that by boyfriend didn't mind because he likes red meat and the ground beef texture (whereas I don't). – Sunny Beaches Mar 24 2012 at 17:52
It isn't just 2 things you're eating anyway. Just like most people don't count beef, pork, chicken, lamb, goat etc as only 1 food, fish is divided into many species with different flavors, textures, nutritional properties. And then you break out further into all the many species of crustaceans - shrimp, lobster, crayfish and mollusks like clams, oysters, scallops. – Karen Jul 5 at 21:48
10

I was wondering what people's thoughts here are on Quorn

I think it's garbage but I don't usually eat man made foods, so I am a little biased.

link|flag
1 
 Nah, no worries. I'm glad you commented and helped me reevaluate. – Sunny Beaches Mar 24 2012 at 17:52
7

Flat out nasty poison. That's what I think of it.

http://www.cspinet.org/quorn/medical_research.html

CSPI is not my fave organization, but I agree with the linked collection.

link|flag
1 
 Thanks. I have no allergic reaction so I'm not so concerned about that. People are allergic to eggs, strawberries, pineapple, etc. but that doesn't mean it is a bad food. t was mostly worried about how unnatural it is. But it's good to read some research on it. Thanks for the link – Sunny Beaches Mar 24 2012 at 18:36
5

At first I started to give a standard answer. No, this stuff has to be bad for you. Then I decided to look at the link you gave. It says the main source of protein comes from mushrooms, and some bush or something found in England... They don't go into much detail. So I picked one of their products - I think the bbq burger. Egg whites and wheat protein are the first ingredients. I'd nix this stuff in a heartbeat if you're thinking about it. If you are already paleo you know you want to stay away from wheat, then there is the soft cheese, potato, barley malt etc. This stuff is full of crap. I imagine the "chicken" producs are just as bad and use wheat for a breading. I hope you are informed and know why you should stay away from this type of product. Below are the exact ingredients.

Mycoprotein (36%), partially rehydrated egg white, textured wheat protein (wheat protein, wheat starch), onion, sunflower oil, rusk (wheat flour, ammonium bicarbonate), whey protein concentrate, medium fat soft cheese. Contains 2% or less of palm oil, natural flavoring from non meat sources, mature Cheddar cheese, salt, sugar, tapioca starch, sodium alginate, pectin, potato maltodextrin, barley malt extract, smoked yeast, potassium chloride, smoke flavoring, citric acid, gum arabic, silicon dioxide, tricalcium phosphate. Made from natural ingredients. Allergic Consumers: This product contains egg, milk, gluten, and wheat ingredients.

High in protein. 50% less fat than ground beef hamburger. Low in Sat Fat & 0g trans fat per serving.

link|flag
The ground kind is the most "pure" as in it doesn't have whey protein or wheat. It's the only kind I've used. I mostly was exploring it because fish and eggs gets a little boring. But like I mentioned previously, I can live with it and perhaps have grass fed/wild meat for a treat every once in a while (the price is what keeps me away from it, as well as texture) But thanks for your comment. I love the honesty and not the "oh, everything is just fine in moderation" you get on other threads. – Sunny Beaches Mar 24 2012 at 19:39
Of course "wheat protein"=pure gluten. – trjones Jul 5 at 17:05
4

It's proof that we, as humans crave meat. The vegetarians and vegans, and their political agendas are clear failures, because of stuff like this. If we weren't adapted/evolved to be carnivorous - at least in part, we wouldn't be attempting to make fake, meat-like products.

It's just another form of Lysenkoism, but applied to humans.

Thanks, but no.

link|flag
1

No, it's not food. In the UK, it's actually easier to get good quality meat that's cheaper too. If you won't eat meat, then you can buy fairly good frozen fish, like coley, and bake it in the oven smothered in butter. My boyfriend eats quorn. Tonight I'm having friends over for a big slow cooked lamb tagine. I have to cook him some quorn separately O_o. I was vegan in a past life, so I understand the deal with not eating meat. But it just doesn't make sense to eat milk, eggs and fish and still object to meat (unless you really cannot stand the taste). Maybe I will convince him someday. I keep cooking up delicious concoctions in the hope of breaking his will:D

link|flag
I notice your bio on your profile you say boca burgers and fake protein bars are things you find disgusting. Quorn is really in the same boat as those synthetic 'foods'. – eimearreclaimedhealth Mar 24 2012 at 18:40
I have trouble finding grass-fed beef in my area at a decent price. Also, I just have trouble with the texture of meat. I have a digestion problem so eggs and fish are easier to digest for me. Thanks for the comment! I really should just stay away from Quorn and I'm sure if I compare ounce per ounce and price...it won't be too far away from grass-fed beef every once in a while. – Sunny Beaches Mar 24 2012 at 19:40
Sunny, I understand the dilemma. My bf will not eat meat, so it can be hard to get him to eat proper food. If digestibility is an issue, you can get very lean beef, stuff I get has less fat than eggs (I see below you mention fat is a problem- yeh I also find high fat tough going- gives me heartburn). I buy ordinary beef here in Ireland since it's all grass or dry grass fed. I realise we're a bit spoilt here:) – eimearreclaimedhealth Mar 25 2012 at 13:17
0

I had quorn sometimes while I was a vegetarian. I used it as a substitute for ground meat, added some tomato paste to eat with spaghetti. I don't eat grains anymore, but if I did I don't see why I would prefer quorn to meat in my pasta. Besides, I seem to react to egg whites, so I don't eat them. Is there any special reason to eat mushrooms? I don't know much about their properties.

link|flag
I have gastroparesis so high fat meals make me very sick. I acknowledge the importance of fats, which is why I eat fish and eggs. However, I can only take small amounts of fat at a time. It's harder to control the fat in something like beef. But with fish and eggs, the animal protein is easier to digest. Also, beef tends to be more fatty per serving and makes me feel real sick. I could cut down on the red meat per meal, but the association with red meat in my stomach and abdominal distress makes it so that just the texture turns me off. – Sunny Beaches Mar 24 2012 at 21:53
How about stock? I think it is high in protein without the fat, if you skim it. Perhaps quorn isn't that bad, at least I remember finding one that only had a few ingredients. I didn't like that it had malt, though. – Pedrita Mar 25 2012 at 13:10
0

Why? I wouldn't ever. Make beef stock and braise a leg of something into soft delicious broth. But not that stuff.

link|flag
0

In response to raydawg: while some 'meat substitutes' are absolutely trying to capture reluctant vegitarians, (the fake bacon with fake fatty strips comes to mind) most is just bean or myco proteins formed into a convenient shape, just as meat is. Cows and pigs don't come ready-made in steaks, burgers or sausages; humans have made them into that shape because it's a handy shape to eat.

link|flag
2 
 Steaks aren't cut to be handy shapes to eat. They're cut based on getting the part of the meat that you want within the confines of an animal's anatomy. Sausages are shaped the way they are because that's the shape you get when you stuff an intestinal lining. – trjones Jul 5 at 17:11
1 
 beans are full of anti-nutrients and indigestible sugars, no thanks. I stand by my answer. Eat real food, not food-like substances. The shape doesn't matter much, the point is, if you want meat, eat meat, don't eat fake meat. If you want mushroom or fungi, eat mushrooms or fungi - but don't pretend it's meat. – raydawg Jul 5 at 20:12
0

Quorn is soil mould fed on glucose and vitamins in big silos.

link|flag

Your Answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.