We’ve seen the rise in the popularity of plant-based burgers like the Impossible Burger. I was at my local convenience store and even noticed they’ve added an option in their lunch menu. What’s the deal with this burger? Is it safe for consumption? Here’s my take.
The health and nutrition community has discussed plant-based burgers for a while now. Some comments are based on hard science. Others have been wildly overblown.
What are the facts?
The “plant” part of plant-based protein refers to soy. So if you were thinking a manufacturer miraculously made meat out of broccoli or carrots, think again.
Yes! Generally, plant-based protein sources have a healthier nutrient profile than animal-based protein sources. Plant-based sources of protein like soy are lower in fat and provide more of some essential vitamins and minerals than animal products.
No! Soy or the significant components of soy protein, phytoestrogens, and isoflavones, do not cause cancer. Also, soy does not affect male fertility if consumed in regular quantities. The one case of a guy growing breast tissue was because he drank like 3 quarts of soy milk a day. Who does that? However, if we eat the average quantities of food, it’s not a problem.
What’s the problem then?
To make plant-based protein tasty for the average westerner, the manufacturer must combine it with GMOs and sodium. To me, that throws just about all the nutritional benefits and maybe some of the environmental value out the window.
Also, are all animal sources of protein equally bad? I don’t think so. Yes, it’s been established that beef-sourcing the way we do it is terrible for the environment, but does it always have to be beef for our burgers? What about bison? Or chicken? Or goat?
As I said above, to make soy-protein into a tasty burger patty, we need to add GMOs to it. For example, heme generated from genetically modified yeast. In my book, telling me that because it’s from a naturally occurring organism like yeast, it’s natural, is to say Frankenstein’s Monster is a genuine man because Dr. Frankenstein constructed it from parts of other men.
I’m okay sticking to mostly animal sources for my burgers because it hasn’t been proven conclusively that the plant-based option is better. It’s still too new of a product, and humans have eaten animals for thousands of years. We just need to make smarter choices for our animal-based food sources.
Based on the USDA Food Data website, here is a comparison between beef, bison, and impossible burger patties:
| Impossible Burger (100g) | Beef Burger (100g) | Bison Burger (100g) |
| Calories: 261 Total Fat: 14g Saturated Fat: 8g Trans Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 370mg Total Carbs: 26.7g Dietary Fiber: 1g Total Sugars: 5.6gProtein: 14.9g Calcium: 76mg Iron: 2.87mg Potassium: 217mg Thiamin(Vit. B1): 0.334mg Vitamin B12: 3.1mcg Zinc: 2.38mg | Calories: 260 Total Fat: 16.8g Saturated Fat: 6g Trans Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 87mg Sodium: 397mg Total Carbs: 0g Dietary Fiber: 0g Total Sugars: 0g Protein: 25.5g Calcium: 24mg Iron: 2.47mg Potassium: 302mg Thiamin(Vit. B1): 0.049mg Vitamin B12: 2.7mcg Zinc: 6.2mg | Calories: 179 Total Fat: 8.62g Saturated Fat: 3.5g Trans Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 94mg Sodium: 76mg Total Carbs: 0g Dietary Fiber: 0g Total Sugars: 0g Protein: 25.4g Calcium: 14mg Iron: 3.19mg Potassium: 353mg Thiamin (Vit. B1): 0.139mg Vitamin B12: 2.44mcgZinc: 5.34mg |
So we can see in many significant areas such as fat, sodium content, calories, and protein, that a more environmentally friendly animal protein source like bison wins the day. The vitamin and mineral profile also does not look bad in comparison.
And so…
If a food is easily recognizable in its pre-cooked form, I’m for it eating it.
I will give plant-based burgers a lot more time on the market and under scientific scrutiny before I jump on the bandwagon.
For now, give me a home where the buffalo roam, and I can get some in a bun on my plate.
MindBodySpiritWellness 