Kasvisperäinen

Kasvisperäinen is a Finnish adjective used to describe foods, meals, or diets that are based on vegetables and other plant-derived ingredients. In everyday language and in food labeling, kasvisperäinen signals that the content relies primarily on plant matter rather than meat or other animal products. The term is broader than vegan or vegetarian labels and does not automatically imply the absence of all animal-derived ingredients; consumers should refer to ingredient lists for specifics.

The word combines kasvis, meaning vegetables or plant-based foods, with the suffix -peräinen, indicating that something is based on that element. As a descriptor, kasvisperäinen is common in marketing, cooking, and nutrition discussions to indicate plant-based character without committing to a strict dietary category.

In Finland, kasvisperäinen options are part of a wider move toward sustainable and health-conscious eating. They can refer to dishes such as kasviskeitto (vegetable soup), kasvispihvi (vegetarian patty), or products marketed as kasvisperäinen proteiini. For nutrition, a well-planned kasvisperäinen diet can meet daily requirements for protein, iron, B12, and other nutrients, though B12 and some other nutrients typically supplied by animal products may require supplementation or fortified foods. The term remains flexible and is influenced by context, individual dietary choices, and marketing practices.