Are “Plant-Based” Burgers Healthy? The Pros & Cons

This is a question I’ve been getting a lot lately, so let’s clear this up once and for all.

Fake meats are all the rage right now (Beyond Meat, the Impossible Burger, LightLife, etc.). Like many products on the market, they fall into a bit of a grey area in terms of how they fit into a healthy lifestyle. We like to label foods as “good” and “bad”, but unfortunately the world of nutrition is not so black-and-white, and in many cases (including this one), we need to ask ourselves: What are we comparing it to?

If the choice is between a Beyond Meat burger and an organic, grass-fed, free-range beef burger, the beef burger is by far the healthier option. But if you are choosing between a Beyond Meat burger and a standard fast-food burger from factory-farmed (aka hormone-and-antibiotic-pumped) meat, Beyond Meat wins by a landslide.

Industry has recognized a trend and has begun to use the term “plant-based” as a marketing ploy. In many products (Lenny & Larry’s protein cookies are another example), the “plant-based” label has become synonymous with “non-animal”, and carries the connotation of health. “Plant-based” and “non-animal”, however, are not the same thing. Truly plant-based foods contain mostly plants, but so-called “plant-based” burgers, in truth, are mostly chemical fillers and additives. In other words, they are highly processed food products that do not have a place in a whole-foods, plant-based diet, except for as an occasional treat.

So, are “plant-based” burgers healthy? No. But are they healthier than a Big Mac? Without question. And they do have some redeeming attributes; Many vegans and vegetarians appreciate having a great-tasting, cruelty-free option when they go out to eat with friends. These options are also useful for people looking to transition to a vegan or vegetarian diet. Furthermore, industrial agriculture is now the leading cause of environmental destruction, species extinction, and ocean dead-zones on our planet. Many people who do not choose vegetarianism for the health or ethical benefits choose it for environmental conservation.

It’s worth mentioning that I personally follow a whole-foods, plant-based diet. The plant-based way of eating can be extremely alkalizing (non-acidic and cancer-fighting), anti-inflammatory, and nourishing for the body. I’m a big believer in the capacity of plants to restore most of us to balance and wellness. I would not, however, call the Beyond Meat burger “plant-based”. Having said that, I do indulge from time to time, because #moderation.

My personal favourite TRULY plant-based burgers are Hilary’s Veggie burgers, which are certified organic, vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and corn-free. They contain:

• Whole grain millet
• Kale
• Spinach
• Expeller-pressed oil
• Sweet potatoes
• Potato starch
• Ground flaxseed
• Sea Salt
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Dried onion
• Granulated Garlic

That’s it! Hilary’s burgers are available in the freezer of the Natural Foods section of most grocery stores. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, they go on sale. That’s when I stock up!

To learn more about the environmental impact of industrial meat production, check out the documentary Cowspiracy (available on Netflix), and/or this shorter video by Kinder World.