How Your Diet Can Lower Your Carbon Footprint: The Science in 2026

From onegreenplanet.org

Beef production emits more greenhouse gases than the entire global aviation sector. That is not a projection or an extrapolation. It is a current fact from the FAO’s State of Food and Agriculture reports. The counterintuitive part is not that beef has a high footprint, most people have absorbed that at this point, but that switching from a beef-heavy diet to a plant-based one reduces an individual’s food-related carbon footprint by more than switching from a petrol car to an electric one. According to research published in Nature Food, food system emissions account for 34 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, and meat and dairy production are responsible for approximately 57 percent of those. A dietary shift to plant-based eating is the single highest-impact action available to individuals for reducing personal carbon footprint, higher than flying less, higher than switching energy suppliers, and significantly higher than all the consumer product substitutions that the sustainability conversation tends to focus on instead. For the broader eco context, see our the environmental cost of fast fashion 2026 and our best EV home chargers for eco households 2026.

The Numbers That Actually Change Behaviour

Lifecycle analysis of food production gives us per-kilogram CO2-equivalent emissions that are more useful than sweeping statements. According to a landmark 2018 meta-analysis in Science covering 38,700 farms and 1,600 processors across 119 countries, beef produces 60kg of CO2 equivalent per kg of protein. Lamb: 24kg. Pork: 7kg. Chicken: 6kg. Tofu: 3.5kg. Lentils: 0.9kg. These are not estimates with meaningful error bars, they represent one of the most comprehensive food systems analyses published. The same study found that even the lowest-impact beef produces more emissions, land use, and water use than the highest-impact plant-based proteins. The range of outcomes within animal products is significant; the overlap with plant-based foods is essentially non-existent.

What Whole-Food Plant-Based Actually Means for Emissions

                                                                                                              Image Credit: One Green Planet

Ultra-processed vegan food has a lower footprint than equivalent animal products, but not as low as whole-food plant-based eating. The processing stage itself generates emissions, and the packaging, refrigeration, and distribution chains of processed plant foods add to the lifecycle total. The lowest-footprint diet is predominantly legumes, whole grains, vegetables, and minimally processed plant proteins, not because this is an arbitrary definition of ethical eating, but because each processing step adds emissions to the chain. That said, the difference between processed vegan food and whole-food plant-based in footprint terms is orders of magnitude smaller than the difference between either and a meat-heavy diet. Basically, the direction of travel matters far more than whether you have reached the ideal destination.

Food Miles: Less Important Than You Think

Buying local is frequently invoked as the dietary climate action that matters most. The research suggests otherwise. According to the same 2018 Science meta-analysis, transport accounts for only 6 percent of food’s total lifecycle emissions in a typical diet. The majority of emissions come from land use change and production, the methane from ruminant digestion, the nitrous oxide from synthetic fertiliser, and the deforestation for grazing. A locally produced beef steak has a dramatically higher footprint than an imported lentil. The “food miles” framing, while not wrong, leads people to optimise a 6 percent variable while ignoring a 60 percent one. Local and seasonal matter at the margins. What you eat matters more than where it came from.

Best Low-Carbon Pantry Staples for a Plant-Based Diet in 2026

1. Navitas Organics Organic Greens Blend 8oz — Best Low-Carbon Nutrient-Dense Supplement

Spirulina, chlorella, and green vegetable concentrates have among the lowest carbon footprints of any concentrated protein and micronutrient source available. Spirulina requires no agricultural land (grown in water), fixes nitrogen without synthetic fertiliser, and produces protein at a fraction of the land and water cost of soy, let alone animal products. Navitas Organics Organic Greens Blend 8oz, USDA Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, B Corp certified, includes spirulina, chlorella, and organic green vegetable concentrates. Spirulina produces approximately 10 times more protein per unit of land than the most efficient plant-based land crops and uses no freshwater irrigation, which makes it the most resource-efficient protein supplement available at any price point. Averaging 4.4 stars from thousands of reviews. Around $22–30 for 8oz. Honest flaw: greens blend taste requires masking in smoothies or juice for most palates. Straight in water is for the committed only.

2. Nutrex Hawaii Spirulina Pacifica 16oz Powder — Best Single-Ingredient Climate-Friendly Protein

Hawaiian-grown spirulina from open-air ponds using ocean water and solar energy, a production system with arguably the lowest environmental impact of any protein source in commercial agriculture. Nutrex Hawaii Spirulina Pacifica 16oz Powder, certified non-GMO, patented ocean water cultivation method, no synthetic pesticides, no synthetic fertilisers, complete protein with all essential amino acids, 4g protein per tablespoon. The Hawaii production location matters: the year-round solar availability and offshore ocean water system makes this one of the most genuinely low-impact protein sources available anywhere. A tablespoon of spirulina delivers more bioavailable protein per gram of CO2 equivalent produced than any other food sold at scale in 2026. Averaging 4.6 stars from over 20,000 reviews. Around $36–46 for 16oz. Honest flaw: strong oceanic taste. Not a standalone food; requires blending into smoothies, mixing into plant-based yoghurt, or taking as tablets (Nutrex offers a tablet format) for buyers who find the powder flavour unworkable.

3. Manitoba Harvest Organic Hemp Seeds 16oz — Best Whole-Food Complete Protein

Hemp requires no synthetic pesticides (the plant’s natural compounds deter most pests), minimal water compared to conventional protein crops, and improves soil health through phytoremediation, it absorbs heavy metals and toxins from soil during growth. Manitoba Harvest Organic Hemp Seeds 16oz, USDA Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Certified B Corp, complete protein, 10g protein per 3 tablespoons, ideal omega-3 to omega-6 ratio. The B Corp certification extends to supply chain labour practices, which matters in a crop historically associated with exploitative farming in some regions. Hemp seeds deliver complete protein, a favourable omega ratio, and meaningful mineral content in one ingredient at a lower carbon footprint than whey, soy, or pea protein isolates because the seeds require minimal processing to produce a bioavailable protein. Averaging 4.6 stars from thousands of reviews. Around $14–18 for 16oz. Honest flaw: short shelf life once opened, refrigerate and use within 3 months to prevent oxidation of the omega fats.

4. Navitas Organics Chia Seeds 16oz — Best for Dietary Fibre and Omega-3 ALA

Chia is a drought-tolerant crop native to Central America that requires significantly less water than most commodity crops. The seeds provide a complete nutritional profile, protein, fibre, calcium, omega-3 ALA, magnesium, with minimal land and water cost per calorie. Navitas Organics Chia Seeds 16oz, USDA Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, 5g omega-3 ALA per 2 tablespoons, 10g fibre per 2 tablespoons, complete protein, 2g protein per tablespoon. According to the USDA FoodData Central database, two tablespoons of chia seeds provides 18 percent of the recommended daily calcium without any dairy involvement. Chia’s drought tolerance makes it one of the few high-nutrition crops likely to become more reliably available, not less, as Climate change alters agricultural conditions in key growing regions. Averaging 4.7 stars from thousands of reviews. Around $10–14 for 16oz. Honest flaw: gel-forming property when wet requires adjustment in recipes, ratio matters more with chia than with most seeds. Use 1 tablespoon per 3 tablespoons liquid for the gel consistency used in puddings and egg replacement.

5. Bragg Premium Nutritional Yeast 4.5oz — Best B12-Fortified Low-Carbon Protein Flavouring

Nutritional yeast is produced through fermentation, a low-land, low-water production process, and provides complete protein alongside B vitamins without the land cost of any crop that requires soil agriculture. Bragg Premium Nutritional Yeast 4.5oz, Non-GMO Project Verified, Certified Gluten-Free, vegan, B12-fortified at 40% DV per tablespoon, 9g complete protein per tablespoon. The fermentation production process uses a fraction of the land area of soy or grain crops at equivalent protein output. The cheapest dietary source of B12 available, 40 percent of daily value per tablespoon at roughly four cents per tablespoon, is also one of the lowest-footprint protein supplements available, which is an unusual convergence of cost-efficiency and environmental performance in the same product. Averaging 4.7 stars from thousands of reviews. Around $10–14. Honest flaw: B12 in nutritional yeast is synthetic cyanocobalamin, bioavailable and effective, but not a whole-food source. Buyers preferring methylcobalamin B12 should supplement separately.

6. Coconut Secret Organic Coconut Aminos 16.9oz — Best Low-Carbon Soy Sauce Alternative

Conventional soy sauce involves soy fermentation from commodity soy, the majority of which is grown on land that was tropical forest within living memory. Coconut tree sap is harvested from trees that require no deforestation, naturally sequester carbon, and can be tapped for decades without replanting. Coconut Secret Organic Coconut Aminos 16.9oz, two ingredients: organic coconut tree sap and sea salt. USDA Certified Organic, 73% lower sodium than soy sauce, soy-free, gluten-free naturally. The most direct pantry substitution from a high-deforestation-linked condiment to a carbon-sequestering-source alternative involves one product swap and approximately zero reduction in culinary versatility. Averaging 4.7 stars from thousands of reviews. Around $8–12. Honest flaw: sweeter than soy sauce, the natural coconut sap sugars produce a different flavour profile. Most dishes accommodate this easily; dishes requiring a sharp salty hit benefit from slightly smaller quantities.

The dietary carbon footprint conversation tends to end in one of two places: individual virtue signalling on one side, or structural fatalism on the other. Neither is particularly useful. The research is clear that food choices produce measurable, significant differences in individual carbon footprint. It is equally clear that individual dietary choices, scaled up, create market signals that shift production. These are not the same thing as solving a systemic problem through personal behaviour. They are what is available at the individual scale while the systemic changes get argued about in policy rooms at a pace that is, to put it charitably, deliberate.

https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/how-your-diet-can-lower-your-carbon-footprint-the-science-in-2026/ 

Food Authority Issues Notices Over Misleading 'Healthy' And 'Organic' Claims

From ndtv.com

Officials stated that many companies use terms like 'Healthy,' 'Organic,' 'Vegan,' 'Zero Maida' (refined wheat flour), and 'Vitamin' in their product names. Yet, investigations revealed that the products did not live up to these claims 

Food labels and product claims are important for consumers to make informed choices about what they eat. In a move aimed at strengthening transparency and preventing misleading marketing practices, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued notices to several food business operators for allegedly violating provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

FSSAI has flagged 15 brands for misleading 'healthy' claims on packaging.

Photo: Zepto, twobrothersindiashop

In a post shared on Instagram, the regulator listed all the food products that came under regulatory scrutiny after FSSAI flagged misleading branding and claims that may violate food labelling norms. The side note read, "FSSAI has issued notices to several food business operators (FBOs) for violating provisions of the FSS Act, 2006 regarding misleading brand names, trade names, and product claims. FBOs are directed to strictly comply with the established labelling and display regulations to prevent consumer deception."

Here is the full list:

1. Healthy Master & Vision to serve healthy
The brand names may mislead consumers regarding the nature of the product.

2. Neuherbs True Vitamin
The trade name is misleading and does not conform to the applicable regulations, as the term "True Vitamin" is neither defined nor recognised under the said regulations and may mislead consumers.

3. PLAN B Plant-Based Vegan
Using this trade name could give consumers the wrong idea about the product's vegan status. The items haven't been cleared or certified as vegan under the FSSAI licence, so they lack official approval for that claim.

4. The Health Factory Zero Maida Whole Wheat Bread
The name could mislead consumers and may violate FSSAI rules. Despite the branding, the product contains Chakki Fresh Atta and wheat gluten.

5. The Health Factory Zero Maida Pizza Base
Claims of “Zero Maida” and “Zero Maida Pizza Base” appear misleading and likely breach FSSAI regulations, while the trade name itself may also mislead consumers.

6. Troovy The Healthy Mix Veggie Chips, The Healthy Ragi Chips, and The Healthy Moong Dal Chips
The product was marketed with misleading “Healthy” claims, even though it contained other ingredients.

7. Healthy Choice Healthy Food for Healthy Life Poha
This labelling could mislead consumers and appears to conflict with applicable FSSAI regulations.

8. Emami Healthy & Tasty
The trade name is likely to mislead consumers and appears to be in contravention of applicable FSSAI regulations.

9. Health Aid
This product name may mislead consumers and does not appear to comply with current FSSAI regulations.

10. Organic Wisdom
The trade name is likely to mislead consumers regarding the organic status of the products, as the products do not have NPOP/PGS certification, the FSSAI Jaivik Bharat logo and the necessary organic endorsement.

11. Shine Organic 
The trade name is likely to mislead consumers regarding the organic status of the products, as the products do not have NPOP/PGS certification, the FSSAI Jaivik Bharat logo, and the necessary organic endorsement.

12. Two Brothers Organic Farms
The product name may give a misleading impression about its organic status since it lacks NPOP/PGS certification, the FSSAI Jaivik Bharat logo and the required organic endorsement.

13. World of Organic
The trade name may create a misleading impression that the products are certified organic, despite lacking the required organic certification and endorsement

14. Storia Juice Pomegranate
The claim misleads consumers by creating the impression that it is solely pomegranate juice, despite containing only 4% pomegranate juice concentrate.

15. Iota water feel the difference
The claim regarding the addition of minerals in packaged drinking water is misleading; the existing regulations stipulate that "No product shall claim the term 'added nutrients', if such nutrients have been added merely to compensate the nutrients lost or removed during processing of the food."

The authority has directed all concerned companies to strictly adhere to food safety laws and to avoid making claims in product names, labels, or advertisements that could confuse consumers. The regulator maintains that it is the companies' responsibility to provide accurate and transparent information to consumers.

Health experts observe that terms like 'healthy,' 'organic,' 'vegan,' 'zero maida' (refined flour), and 'vitamin-enriched' are widely used these days to attract consumers. In this context, this is a significant step towards curbing such misleading claims and protecting the interests of consumers.

https://www.ndtv.com/food/food-authority-issues-notices-over-misleading-healthy-and-organic-claims-11635057

How a startup served 2.5 million plant-based meals and changed the way Britain eats vegetables

From nationalworld.com

Grubby started with office lunches and a simple idea: make eating more plants easier and more enjoyable. Millions of meals later, the company is entering a new chapter.

Five years ago, building an entire food business around plant-based eating looked like a risky proposition.

Although veganism was becoming more mainstream, many consumers still associated plant-based food with compromise. It was often seen as expensive, overly worthy and aimed at a relatively small audience rather than everyday households looking for dinner inspiration after work.

Yet that was the challenge the founders of Grubby⁠ decided to take on when they launched the business in London in 2019.

The founders say the aim was never to persuade people to become vegan overnight. Instead, they wanted to make eating more plants easier, more accessible and, crucially, more enjoyable.

            Grubby launches its first-ever ready meals, making cooking tasty dinners quick and easy (aff) | Grubby

What began as a lunch delivery business serving offices would soon evolve into something much bigger. When the pandemic transformed the way people worked and shopped, Grubby pivoted into recipe boxes, becoming what the company describes as the UK’s first fully plant-based meal kit service.

The timing proved fortunate.

As consumers became more interested in healthy eating, sustainability and reducing food waste, demand grew for services such as Grubby’s meal kits⁠, which removed much of the planning and shopping while still allowing customers to cook fresh meals at home.

According to the company, more than 2.5 million meals have now been served, helping transform what was once a small start-up into one of Britain’s best-known plant-based food brands.

Rather than focusing on what customers should stop eating, Grubby says it has always concentrated on what people can add to their diets instead. Its recipes draw inspiration from cuisines around the world and are designed to be prepared in around 30 minutes or less, with pre-portioned ingredients helping to minimise waste.

That approach appears to have resonated with consumers far beyond traditional vegan audiences.

The company has collaborated with brands including BOSH!, Mildreds and LEON, while building a customer base that increasingly includes people who simply want to eat more vegetables without completely changing their lifestyle. 

Grubby says its new range of plant-based ready meals combines high protein and fibre with quick “heat, ding, eat” convenience. | Grubby

Now Grubby is taking its biggest step since launching those original recipe boxes.

The company has expanded into frozen ready meals for the first time, giving customers the option to cook from scratch when they have the time and reach for a chef-made meal when they don’t.

According to Grubby, the new range has been designed to deliver the same flavour-first philosophy that helped build its meal kit business.

Products include the Tex Mex Protein Bowl⁠, which contains 20.2g of protein and 11.2 plant points, the Sticky Teriyaki Udon Noodles⁠, which combine vegetables and noodles in a rich teriyaki sauce, and the Spicy Szechuan Noodles⁠, which deliver 25g of protein alongside 10.5 plant points.

The emphasis on plant points reflects a broader shift taking place across Britain’s food culture.

Professor Tim Spector and nutrition science company ZOE⁠ have helped popularise the idea that eating a wider variety of plants can support better gut health, encouraging consumers to think beyond simple calorie counting.

According to Grubby, its Plant Points range was developed to help customers increase the diversity of plants they eat each week, supporting the increasingly popular goal of consuming around 30 different plants.

Nutrition is only part of the story, however.

As a certified B Corp, Grubby says every recipe is assessed against meat equivalents to estimate carbon savings, while customers can track the environmental impact of their food choices over time.

Yet despite the sustainability credentials and nutritional messaging, the company has consistently tried to avoid becoming overly serious about food.

Recipe boxes arrive with curated Spotify playlists, colourful branding and recipes designed to feel exciting rather than restrictive. According to the business, the goal has always been to make eating more plants something people look forward to rather than something they feel obliged to do.

That philosophy has helped the company grow from a start-up delivering lunches to offices into a national brand serving millions of meals.

With meal kits, ready meals and further product launches planned for the future, Grubby is betting that Britain’s appetite for convenient plant-based food still has plenty of room to grow.

https://www.nationalworld.com/recommended/grubby-plant-based-meal-kits-ready-meals-8689397

This popular vegan pantry staple may not be the B12 fix you think it is

From indianexpress.com

Yeast extract can complement a B12-conscious diet, especially for vegetarians. But is it a treatment?

Yeast extract is often promoted as a rich source of vitamin B12. But is it actually effective for treating the deficiency, especially in vegetarians and vegans? This is what we asked Dt Amreen Sheikh, chief dietitian, KIMS Hospitals, Thane, who said: “Yeast extract can be helpful, but it’s important to understand what it can and cannot do. Some yeast extracts are fortified with vitamin B12, while others have inactive B12-like compounds that the body cannot use effectively.”

This means yeast extract may help with daily intake for people with marginal deficiency, but it should not be relied upon as the only treatment for a clinically diagnosed B12 deficiency, according to Sheikh.

                                                     Should you use yeast extract? (Photo: AI Generated)

Who might benefit from including yeast extract in their diet?

Sheikh said that vegetarians and vegans, who are at higher risk of B12 deficiency, may find fortified yeast extract valuable as part of a balanced diet. “It can provide small amounts of B12 along with protein and B vitamins, especially when used regularly in meals like soups, spreads, or seasonings. However, its benefit depends on the product being fortified and clearly labelled with bioavailable vitamin B12,” said Sheikh.

Can yeast extract replace supplements or injections?

No, emphasised Sheikh. For people with confirmed B12 deficiency, especially those with symptoms like fatigue, numbness, memory issues, or anaemia, dietary sources alone are usually not enough. “In these cases, oral supplements or injections are recommended to quickly and safely restore levels. Yeast extract can support this process, but should not replace prescribed treatment.”

Are there absorption concerns with B12 from yeast extract?

Vitamin B12 absorption relies on gut health and intrinsic factor, a protein needed for B12 uptake. “People with digestive disorders, older adults, or those taking long-term acid-suppressing medications may not absorb B12 well from food sources, including yeast extract,” said Sheikh.

What should people check before adding yeast extract for B12?

Always read the label. Look for fortified vitamin B12 (like cyanocobalamin or methylcobalamin) and check the amount per serving. Also, pay attention to sodium content, as many yeast extracts are high in salt.

Yeast extract can complement a B12-conscious diet, especially for vegetarians, but it is not a treatment for deficiency. Anyone who suspects they have low B12 should get their blood levels checked and follow medical or dietary advice accordingly, said Sheikh.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.

https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/food-wine/yeast-extract-treat-vitamin-b12-deficiency-benefits-risks-expert-10456716/

Move Over, Purple Carrot: My Favourite Vegan Meal Kit Is a Total Surprise

From cnet.com

By Anna Gragert

Purple Carrot is known as THE 100% vegan meal kit service, but it's not my favourite. Another company takes the lead 

I've spent the last 21 years of my life on a vegetarian diet, and because of that, I naturally cook and eat many meat-free vegan recipes. However, when I first heard about meal kits, I was sceptical, assuming that they wouldn't cater to a plant-based diet. But when I began testing meal delivery services for CNET, I was happy to discover that there are a plethora of meal kits that accommodate vegan dietary restrictions.

When it comes to vegan meal kits, Purple Carrot often comes to mind because it's a 100% plant-based service. Yet, there are many other companies that offer vegan dishes -- just not as many. It's one of those other services that outperformed Purple Carrot in my eyes. I'm talking about the USDA-certified organic Green Chef.

Although Green Chef isn’t 100% vegan like Purple Carrot, this is why I'd chose the former if I were to spend my own money on vegan meal kits.

Green Chef puts thought into its vegan dishes

Choosing Green Chef over Purple Carrot as my favourite vegan meal kit service came down to taste and the thoughtfulness of recipes. Over the two decades I’ve been preparing and chowing down on vegan meals, I’ve noticed that some recipes tend to equate “vegan” with “flavourless,” either overcompensating on spice or salt or undercompensating by simply throwing tofu in a dish with barely any preparation. 

I found that Green Chef’s meals incorporated a lovely blend of veggies, greens, grains, seeds and beans while still ensuring that each layer of its dishes was packed with the right amount of flavour. Even though Green Chef doesn’t solely focus on vegan recipes, each one I tried didn’t feel like an afterthought. 

Roasted squash and bell pepper sandwiches, creamy tomato pasta with roasted veggies and black bean burritos and spiced cauliflower are the three Green Chef meals I tried, and I would gladly make them all again.

After testing many vegan meal delivery services, I can safely say that taste may be a more important factor than the number of options.    

Anna Gragert/Jeffrey Hazelwood/CNET

A Purple Carrot protein predicament 

From Purple Carrot, I’ve tried eight different meals, and some I liked better than others, but overall it felt like the brand was struggling to find the right balance of flavours, especially in how its vegan proteins were prepared. For example, two of the proteins I tried, crispy lemon chick'n and adobo-roasted tofu, lacked tasty, well-rounded flavours, and I wasn’t able to finish eating them. 

Most recently, I tried Head Peloton Instructor Robin Arzón’s "Eat To Hustle" high-protein meal collaboration with Purple Carrot. I liked those meals better than others I’d tried from the brand, but still, Green Chef’s recipes win in the flavour category.

If it’s important to you, Green Chef’s meals are also USDA-certified organic, while only some Purple Carrot ingredients are organic or non-GMO.

Green Chef vs. Purple Carrot: The price comparison evens out

Purple Carrot and Green Chef meal kits are about even in price, and both are subscription services. Green Chef charges a flat $14 a serving, while Purple Carrot’s meal kits are $13 to $14 a serving. The latter’s ready-to-eat dishes range from $13 to $18, while grocery items are $3 to $40. 

Purple Carrot’s shipping is $12, but orders over $100 ship free. A $15 shipping surcharge may apply to select ZIP codes. As for Green Chef, shipping is a flat $10. 

Some Purple Carrot meal kits may be $1 cheaper per serving than Green Chef’s, but the latter’s shipping for orders under $100 is $2 less.

The ingredients for Green Chef's roasted squash and bell pepper sandwiches, which were fresh-tasting and delicious.

Anna Gragert/CNET

Where Purple Carrot wins: Variety

Green Chef offers at least five vegan meal kits per week, whereas Purple Carrot provides over 50 options, including meal kits and ready-to-eat meals, each week. The week of writing, there were 33 meal kits. 

Both services include breakfast, lunch and dinner options. While Purple Carrot has ready-to-eat meals and grocery items, such as oatmeal, cheese, snacks and vegan proteins, Green Chef has its Green Market as “add-ons” on its menu, including side dishes, juices, egg bites and ready-to-cook non-vegan proteins. 

If you want more than five vegan meal kits each week, Purple Carrot would be a better choice.

Other dietary restrictions offered

Along with vegan meals, Green Chef provides recipes for the following dietary restrictions and preferences: vegetarian, Mediterranean, gluten-free, calorie smart, high protein, high fibre, low added sugar, keto, dairy-free, sodium smart and carb smart. There are also kits with ingredients that support gut or brain health.

In addition to being 100% vegan, Purple Carrot supports gluten-free, high-protein, high-fibre and under-600-calorie meals. 

Between the two, Green Chef has more preferences that you can use to sort through its menu. It would also be great for flexitarians who want to eat more plant-based food but don't want to go all the way.

Purple Carrot's ingredients for its miso leek pasta, which I enjoyed more than other meal kits from the brand.  

Anna Gragert/CNET

My final thoughts

After testing a variety of vegan meal kit services for the past few years, I’ve come to the conclusion that, as long as price isn’t an issue, the deciding factor between companies is taste. In this respect, and since they’re about the same cost, my favourite vegan meal kits are Green Chef's, despite Purple Carrot’s notoriety in the category. 

Ultimately, if you’re vegan and want to give meal kits a try, or if you eat meat but want to consume less of it, my personal recommendation for meal kits is Green Chef. But if you’re going for more variety and options each week, then check out Purple Carrot. 

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

https://www.cnet.com/health/nutrition/move-over-purple-carrot-my-favorite-vegan-meal-kit-total-surprise/