What You Should Know About Plant-Based Burgers

With BBQ season right around the corner, you may see more and more friends offering plant-based burgers at their get-togethers this year!

As the demand for vegan and vegetarian options at grocery stores and restaurants continues to increase, we are seeing more plant-based meat substitutes.

While these alternatives used to be offered in a small niche market – they are now trending in the mainstream. Even fast food chains have hopped aboard… Beyond Burger, Impossible Burger, and other veggie burgers have gained serious popularity. 

So, what do you need to know about alternative proteins? 

Recent documentaries and studies have shown that avoiding meat is more than just an animal rights endeavor – our high consumption of meat can also have a serious negative impact on our health and environment. 

Red and processed meat have actually been found to be high in carcinogens. Plant based meat alternatives are high in protein, high in fiber, and mimic the taste of real meat without the carcinogens. 

However, “plant based” doesn’t automatically mean healthy. 

While the main ingredients in plant based burgers are vegetables (healthy), they are also high in sodium and have many additives (unhealthy). 

Refined oils, “natural” flavors, sugar, saturated fats, and genetically-modified ingredients are some additives that are common in plant-based meat alternatives. 

So – as with most things in our diet – moderation is key! While protein alternatives offer certain health benefits, they also add a few negative ingredients to your diet. 

Have you tried a plant-based burger? What did you think?