Are Beyond Meat And The Impossible Burger Healthy Or Just As Bad As Meat?

Share this blog:

We all know the Beyond Meat and Impossible Burger. As a matter of fact, as someone who has been vegan for over 5 years (and vegetarian for 10), I’m happy they’re here. When I first became vegan there was no such thing. We were stuck with tofu (which is a difficult product to get the hang of at first) and things like bean burgers.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I love my tofu and bean burgers now. But for many people not having a proper substitute that looks and tastes like what they’re used to can be an obstacle so big that it blocks progress altogether.

However, one thing I’ve always wondered is if these burgers are a lot healthier than their meat-based counterparts, and if so, by how much. Luckily, Dr. Greger recently made a video about this and I thought it was a great one to share with you today.

1. They’re Lower In Trans Fats

One positive aspect of these burgers is that they have no trans fats, unlike their meat-based counterparts.

Trans fat is a serious potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes. It’s also been associated with symptoms of depression, lower testosterone in men—even at just 1% of calories—and dementia.

Higher levels of trans fats in the blood are associated with up to a 50% higher risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer’s. Because plant-based burgers like Beyond and Impossible don’t have trans fats, this is a plus.

2. No Cholesterol Or Hormones, But Too Much Salt and Some Saturated Fat

Another win for the plant-based burgers it that they have no trans fats, no cholesterol, no hormones, and no antibiotics. They also haven’t been designated as probably cancer-causing by the World Health Organization.

However, there are some concerns. The added salt in these products contributes about a quarter of the American Heart Association’s 1,500 mg daily upper sodium limit. Additionally, the saturated fat, thanks to added coconut oil, is another concern. But these issues seem to be outliers for Beyond Meat and Impossible (which have 6-8 grams of saturated fat per burger)

The largest study of the nutritional value of plant-based meats to date shows that the saturated fat levels of similar products only average about 2 grams per serving, much better than their animal-based equivalents.

4. At Least A Little Fiber

If you look at the fiber content, seeing any fiber in a burger is a good thing. However, if you compare this to a whole food, the difference is stark. For example, if you ate the same amount of protein from yellow peas, the primary plant protein in Beyond Burgers, there would be almost no saturated fat and sodium, and a whopping 20 grams of fiber. Processing plants in a processing plant can eliminate 90% of the fiber, but processing plants through animals eliminates 100% of the fiber.

6. It’s Not Perfect, But A Better Alternative

For many people, the choice on the menu isn’t between a perfect, whole-food diet and a plant-based burger, but between a traditional meat burger and a plant-based alternative. In that case, the plant-based option is a no-brainer. It offers significant benefits for both personal health and the environment, even if it’s not perfect.

7. Better Than Meat, Worse Than Plants

In conclusion, while plant-based meat substitutes like Beyond Meat and the Impossible Burger are not without their flaws, they offer a healthier alternative to traditional meat products. They eliminate trans fats and cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart disease, and provide a more sustainable option for the planet. While they may contain added sodium and saturated fats, these issues are relatively minor compared to the significant health risks associated with consuming animal-based meats.

Stefan K.

Stefan has been vegan since 2019 and has been regularly working on his strength since the beginning of 2023. He’s on a mission to help other vegans get stronger and have all of them achieve the quality of life they deserve.