Beyond Burger Nutrition Facts and Health Impact

Understanding Plant-Based Meat Alternatives

Plant-based meat alternatives like beyond burgers and impossible burgers have soared in popularity recently. These veggie patties that look, cook, and taste similar to beef have become popular options for vegetarians/vegans as well as people trying to cut back on meat.

But are these highly processed fake meat products actually healthy? Let’s compare the nutrition facts and ingredients behind these meatless substitutes to make an informed choice.

How the Beyond Burger is Made

The Beyond Meat brand uses pea protein isolates as the primary protein source in their burger patties. They also add in fats like cocoa butter and coconut oil to emulate the juicy mouthfeel of beef.

Beet powder helps replicate the red meat color while apple extracts and natural flavors boost the similarity of the plant-based patty’s aroma and taste to real beef. Various binding agents hold the ingredients together.

Key Beyond Burger Ingredients

Full ingredients list:

• Water
• Pea protein isolate
• Refined coconut oil
• Rice protein
• Natural flavors
• Cocoa butter
• Mung bean protein
• Methylcellulose (binder)
• Apple extract
• Salt
• Potassium chloride
• Beet juice extract (color)

Beyond Burger Nutrition Facts

Serving size 4 oz patty:

• Calories: 250
• Total fat: 18g
• Saturated fat: 5g
• Sodium: 380mg
• Potassium: 380mg
• Carbs: 3g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 0g
• Protein: 20g

Comparing Beyond Burger vs Beef Burger Nutrition

Ounce for ounce, the beyond burger vs 80% lean beef burger stacks up quite closely in terms of calories, protein, and major nutrients profile. But there are some slight differences too.

Where the Beyond Burger Wins

• Lower in saturated fat and calories than beef
• No cholesterol unlike beef
• Higher in fiber since it contains veggies
• Relatively more minerals like potassium, calcium, iron etc

Where Regular Beef Wins

• Higher protein-to-calorie ratio compared to beyond burger
• No chemical additives or preservatives
• No risk of hyperprocessed ingredients
• Has more micronutrients naturally

Healthiness of Ingredients in Fake Meat Burgers

While meatless burgers can be an occasional part of a balanced diet for most people, consuming them too often may be problematic due to:

High Sodium Content

There’s nearly 400mg sodium in one beyond meat patty which is almost 20% your recommended upper daily limit! Too much sodium from any source can increase your future heart disease or stroke risk.

Additives & Preservatives

The beyond burger contains added methylcellulose, a emulsifying binder, maltodextrin for moisture retention, and yeast extract for flavor. Some people’s bodies may react to these additives causing bloating or indigestion issues.

Other Controversial Ingredients

Refined coconut oil and cocoa butter added to simulate beef fat are also very processed. And the Impossible burger uniquely contains soy leghemoglobin derived from genetically engineered yeast to make it “bleed” like real meat. But this novel protein’s long term safety requires further study.

Are Beyond Burgers Ultra Processed Foods?

Beyond meat burgers do undergo extensive industrial processing with over 18 ingredients combined to create the final product.

Protein isolates, oils, flavoring agents, color additives and other compounds are synthetically made before getting assembled into an edible burger. So by definition, fake meat patties would qualify under the “ultra processed food” category.

Potential Health Issues with Ultra Processed Foods

Eating too many ultra-processed foods in general may contribute to:

• Higher calorie intake and weight gain
• Increased cancer and overall mortality risk
• Higher chance of various chronic illnesses
• More allergies and gut/digestion difficulties
• Negative changes in oral, hormonal and metabolic health

So enjoying plant-based meat once in a while seems fine for most people but making it a big part of your regular diet could be problematic.

Who Should Avoid Beyond Burgers?

While veggie burgers are safe for most people in moderation, certain higher risk groups should exercise more caution with these highly processed meatless alternatives especially if consuming them regularly or in excess.

• Those managing high blood pressure or heart conditions
• Anyone with soy, gluten or other food sensitivities
• Children
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• People taking blood thinners or statins
• Individuals who’ve had gallbladder surgery
• Anyone with a history of digestive issues

Some fake meats also use GMO ingredients which further limit their appeal for health conscious consumers trying to avoid genetically engineered foods.

Healthier Homemade Veggie Burger Alternatives

For those trying to cut back on meat for health or eco reasons, homemade veggie bean or lentil burgers can offer a less processed alternative. These can be made easily at home with natural ingredients like:

• Cooked beans/lentils
• Oatmeal
• Chopped mushrooms/veggies
• Egg/chia seeds
• Onion
• Garlic
• Spices and herbs

Going homemade allows you to control exactly what goes into your veggie burger and avoid unhealthy additives.

Other Tips for Healthy Plant-Based Eating

• Focus your diet around unprocessed whole grains, fruits, nuts, seeds and vegetables
• Limit intake of vegan junk foods high in fat/sodium
• Include sufficient plant-based protein sources like lentils, tofu etc
• Supplement vitamin B12 if eating mostly plant foods
• Get some omega fats from walnuts, olive oil, avocado etc

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.