What are you really getting?
It seems like everyone is crazy over the new plant-based product fad! I have to admit that even my husband and I have decided to try a couple of the plant-based burger options since he avoids red meat. I happen to love red meat so I have to say that if you are a meat-eater and you are in the mood for a burger once in a while, go beef! However, if you are like my husband and choose to avoid red meat and you find yourself wanting a burger, then, by all means, give the plant-based ones a try. We preferred the Beyond Meat brand burger patties to the Impossible burger patties.
But, before you head out to the store, maybe we should take a peek at what you’re really getting when you choose a plant-based meatless product.
Plant-based burgers
Since I have already mentioned them, let’s start with the burger. Red Meat of any kind is more than likely going to lose to plants, right? Well, the results may just surprise you!
| Nutrition Fact | Beyond Meat | Beef Patty |
| Serving in ounces | 4 | 4 |
| Calories | 250 | 230 |
| Calories from fat | 160 | 171 |
| Total fat | 18g | 19g |
| Saturated fat | 6g | 7g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg | 40mg |
| Sodium | 390mg | 136mg |
| Potassium | 300mg | |
| Total carbohydrates | 3g | 0g |
| Fiber | 2g | 0g |
| Sugar | 0g | |
| Protein | 20g | 16g |
| Additional nutrition facts | vitamin A and vitamin C= 0%Calcium= 8%Iron= 25%Also includes various oils, added food products to enhance flavor and color and to manipulate the product into closely resembling a beef pattyContains Methylcellulose and Potassium chloride | Regular beef patties do not require additional ingredients in the meat to enhance the flavor or color to resemble beef because it is beef! |
*Information listed above can be found at www.beyondmeat.com as well as www.eatthismuch.com*
After reviewing the facts above and also taking my taste buds into consideration, I remain faithful to the beef patty should I have an occasional hankering for a hamburger. Now, if you are a hamburger addict and they make up a generous portion of your daily diet then you may want to consider switching to a plant-based burger, black bean burgers, veggie burgers or even turkey burgers to reduce the amount of red meat you consume.
What about the Impossible burger?
| Nutritional facts | Impossible Burger patty |
| Serving size in ounces | 4 |
| Calories | 240 |
| Total Fat | 14g |
| Saturated Fat | 8g |
| Sodium | 370mg |
| Carbohydrates | 9g |
| Fiber | 3g |
| Sugar | 1g |
| Protein | 19g |
| Calcium | 170mg |
| Iron | 4.2mg |
| Potassium | 610mg |
| Thiamin | 2350% |
| Riboflavin | 15% |
| Niacin | 50% |
| Vitamin B6 Vitamin B12 | 20% 130% |
| Folate | 30% |
| Phosphorous | 15% |
| Zinc | 50% |
Plant-based hot Italian sausage
Italian sausage is a popular option during the spring and summer months because they are delicious on the grill! But, is there a better option?
| nutritional facts | Beyond Meat hot Italian sausage | Regular hot Italian sausage |
| serving size | 1 sausage link | 1 sausage link |
| calories | 190 | 250 |
| calories from fat | 110 | 189 |
| total fat | 12g | 21g |
| saturated fat | 5g | 7g |
| cholesterol | 0 | 60mg |
| sodium | 500mg | 670mg |
| potassium | 230mg | |
| total carbohydrates | 5g | 0g |
| fiber | 3g | 0g |
| sugar | 0g | 0g |
| protein | 16g | 15g |
| additional nutrition facts | vitamin A and vitamin C= 0%Calcium= 6%Iron= 22%Various additional ingredients to enhance flavor and color including methylcellulose |
*information provided above can be found at www.beyondmeat.com as well as www.eatthismuch.com*
I have not tried the plant-based sausage option yet. However, based on the nutritional facts listed above I believe it may be overall a healthier option compared to the regular hot Italian sausage.
In my opinion, I believe we should eat more fruits and vegetables than we do meat, however, I don’t believe we should eliminate meat altogether. There is such a thing as having a balanced diet and it can be easily achieved with just a little effort. Make sure that anything you ear is natural, clean, preservative-free and isn’t processed and you will be on the right track!
