With the rising popularity of plant-based diets and eco-friendly products, it’s no surprise that companies have been eager to create meatless alternatives that actually taste like meat. And boy, have they delivered. Enter the Beyond Burger and the Impossible Burger, two plant-based patties that aim to satisfy the cravings of even the most devout carnivores. But the question remains: which of these meatless burgers is actually healthier?
Whether you’re a vegetarian, vegan, or simply trying to cut down on your meat consumption, the Beyond Burger and Impossible Burger offer a meat-free option that doesn’t skimp on flavor or texture. Made from pea protein, the Beyond Burger has been praised for its ability to “bleed” and char just like a traditional beef burger. Meanwhile, the Impossible Burger, which is made from soy protein and potato protein, has been hailed as the closest plant-based patty to an actual hamburger in terms of taste and texture.
While the Beyond Burger and the Impossible Burger may seem like the perfect alternative for those looking to avoid meat, it’s worth exploring which of these options is a healthier choice. So, whether you’re a health conscious foodie or simply curious about the nutritional value of these trendy burgers, let’s dive in and find out which patty reigns supreme when it comes to health.
Beyond Burger Ingredients
The Beyond Burger is a plant-based burger made to mimic the taste and texture of a traditional beef burger. It was created by Beyond Meat, a company founded in 2009 with the mission of replacing animal protein with plant protein.
The Beyond Burger is made using a combination of pea protein isolate, rice protein, mung bean protein, and potato starch to create a firm texture and mouthfeel. It also contains beets and other vegetable extracts to give it a pinkish-red color that mimics beef. The burger is seasoned with salt, onion powder, and other natural flavorings to enhance its taste.
- Pea Protein Isolate
- Rice Protein
- Mung Bean Protein
- Potato Starch
- Beet Extract
- Natural Flavors
The Beyond Burger is free from soy, gluten, and GMO ingredients, making it a popular option for vegetarians, vegans, and those with dietary restrictions. It also contains no cholesterol and less saturated fat than a traditional beef burger.
The Beyond Burger has been compared to the Impossible Burger, another plant-based burger that has gained popularity in recent years. While both burgers are made using plant-based proteins and are designed to mimic the taste and texture of beef, the Beyond Burger relies on pea protein isolate and rice protein, while the Impossible Burger uses soy protein and potato protein.
In conclusion, the Beyond Burger is a plant-based burger made using pea protein isolate, rice protein, mung bean protein, and potato starch. It contains beets and other vegetable extracts for color, and is seasoned with natural flavors including salt and onion powder. The burger is free from soy, gluten, and GMO ingredients, and contains less saturated fat than a traditional beef burger.
Impossible Burger Ingredients
The Impossible Burger is a plant-based burger that looks and tastes like real meat. It has gained significant popularity in the market due to its unique and innovative ingredients. Let’s take a closer look at what makes the Impossible Burger an impossible creation:
- Soy protein concentrate: This is the primary ingredient in the Impossible Burger, providing the chewy and meat-like texture.
- Coconut oil: Coconut oil adds a richness to the Impossible Burger and gives it a juicy flavor similar to that of a beef burger.
- Potato protein: This protein helps bind the ingredients together and gives the burger its texture.
The above ingredients are the key to the Impossible Burger’s success in replicating the taste and texture of a real beef burger. However, there are other ingredients that contribute to the complete flavor profile:
- Heme: This is an iron-containing molecule that is found in blood. The Impossible Burger uses heme from soybeans and makes it the “magic ingredient” that makes the burger taste so meaty.
- Methylcellulose: This ingredient acts as an emulsifier, preventing the oils in the burger from separating and making sure everything sticks together.
- Yeast extract: Yeast extract adds an umami flavor, which is often described as the “fifth taste” (in addition to salty, sweet, sour, and bitter).
| Ingredient | What it does |
| Soy protein concentrate | Provides chewy, meat-like texture |
| Coconut oil | Adds richness and juicy flavor |
| Potato protein | Binds ingredients together and provides texture |
| Heme | Makes the burger taste meaty |
| Methylcellulose | Emulsifier to prevent separation |
| Yeast extract | Adds an umami flavor |
All of the above ingredients are essential in creating the Impossible Burger’s unique taste and texture that has been sweeping the nation. It is important to note that the Impossible Burger is not necessarily healthier than a beef burger or a Beyond Burger; however, it is an alternative for people who want to reduce their consumption of meat without sacrificing the taste and sensory experience of eating a burger.
Beyond Burger Nutrition
The Beyond Burger has taken the plant-based food industry by storm, offering a flavorful alternative to traditional meat burgers without compromising on taste or texture. But how does it stack up in terms of nutrition? Let’s take a closer look.
- Calories: The Beyond Burger contains 270 calories per patty, which is slightly higher than a traditional beef burger, which typically has around 250 calories. However, the Beyond Burger is cholesterol-free and lower in saturated fat compared to beef.
- Protein: The Beyond Burger provides 20 grams of protein per patty, which is the same as a beef patty. This means that the Beyond Burger is a good source of protein for vegans and vegetarians who may struggle to get enough protein in their diet.
- Carbohydrates: The Beyond Burger contains 5 grams of carbohydrates per patty, which is lower than traditional beef burgers that can have up to 10 grams of carbohydrates. This makes it a good option for those following a low-carbohydrate diet.
Ingredients in the Beyond Burger
The Beyond Burger is made from a blend of pea protein isolate, expeller-pressed canola oil, refined coconut oil, rice protein, natural flavors, cocoa butter, mung bean protein, and methylcellulose. It also contains beet juice extract, which gives it its red, meat-like color, and potato starch, which helps hold the patty together.
How Does the Beyond Burger Compare to the Impossible Burger?
The Impossible Burger is another popular plant-based burger that has similar taste and texture to traditional beef. However, in terms of nutrition, the two burgers are fairly similar. The Impossible Burger has slightly fewer calories per patty (240) but slightly more saturated fat (8g) compared to the Beyond Burger (6g).
| Nutrient | Beyond Burger | Impossible Burger |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 270 | 240 |
| Protein | 20g | 19g |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 8g |
Overall, both the Beyond Burger and Impossible Burger are healthy plant-based options that can replace traditional beef burgers. However, it’s important to keep in mind that they are still processed foods and should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Impossible Burger Nutrition
The Impossible Burger is a plant-based meat alternative that has taken the world by storm. It looks, cooks, and tastes like a real beef burger, but is made entirely from plants. Many people have been turning to plant-based diets, and the Impossible Burger offers a healthier option for those who still want to enjoy the taste of a juicy burger. But, just how healthy is the Impossible Burger?
- The Impossible Burger is cholesterol-free, making it a heart-healthy option for those with high cholesterol levels.
- It contains no animal products and is therefore suitable for vegans and vegetarians alike.
- The protein content of the Impossible Burger is similar to that of a beef burger, with 19 grams of protein per serving. This is great news for those looking to build and maintain muscle mass.
However, it is important to note that the Impossible Burger is not without its drawbacks. For one, it is high in sodium, containing 370 milligrams per serving. This is about 16% of the recommended daily intake of sodium for the average adult. Additionally, the Impossible Burger contains more calories than a beef burger, with 240 calories per serving compared to 220 calories in a typical beef burger.
Looking at the nutritional information of the Impossible Burger and comparing it to its competitor, the Beyond Burger, we can see that there are some similarities and differences. Both burgers are plant-based, cholesterol-free, and suitable for vegans and vegetarians. However, the Beyond Burger has slightly less sodium and fewer calories than the Impossible Burger.
| Nutrient | Impossible Burger (4 oz. patty) | Beyond Burger (4 oz. patty) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 240 | 220 |
| Total fat | 14 g | 14 g |
| Saturated fat | 8 g | 6 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 370 mg | 350 mg |
| Protein | 19 g | 20 g |
Overall, the Impossible Burger is a healthy option for those looking to reduce their meat intake or adopt a plant-based diet. While it is higher in calories and sodium than some of its competitors, its nutritional benefits outweigh its drawbacks.
Environmental impact of Beyond burger
The Beyond Burger is a plant-based burger that has been gaining popularity for its ability to mimic the taste, look, and texture of traditional beef burgers. However, one of the main advantages of the Beyond Burger over traditional beef burgers is its environmental impact. Here are a few ways in which the Beyond Burger is better for the environment:
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions: Compared to beef, the Beyond Burger produces 90% fewer greenhouse gas emissions per Patty. This is largely because beef cattle require a lot of resources, such as water and feed, and produce a significant amount of methane – a potent greenhouse gas.
- Less land and water usage: Producing the Beyond Burger requires 99% less water and 93% less land than conventional beef burgers. This is because beef cattle require a lot of resources to grow, and the process of raising them can lead to environmental problems like deforestation and water pollution.
- Less waste: The Beyond Burger is made from plant-based ingredients, which means it does not produce the same amount of waste as beef burgers, which require slaughterhouses to process the meat.
By choosing the Beyond Burger over traditional beef burgers, consumers can significantly reduce their environmental footprint. For example, if every American replaced one beef burger with a plant-based burger per week, it would be the equivalent of taking 12 million cars off the road in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.
Environmental Impact of Impossible Burger
The Impossible Burger is a plant-based burger that has been praised for its taste and its potential benefits for the environment. One of the main reasons why the Impossible Burger has garnered so much attention is because it requires far less land, water, and energy to produce than traditional beef burgers. Here are some of the ways that the Impossible Burger is making a positive impact on the environment:
- The Impossible Burger uses 87% less water than a traditional beef burger.
- The Impossible Burger produces 89% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than a traditional beef burger.
- The Impossible Burger requires 96% less land than a traditional beef burger.
These statistics are impressive and highlight the potential benefits of plant-based burgers for the environment. The production of beef has been linked to deforestation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions, so a shift towards plant-based burgers could have a significant impact on our planet.
In addition to using fewer resources and producing fewer emissions, the Impossible Burger is also made from non-GMO ingredients and contains no cholesterol, hormones, or antibiotics. This makes it a healthier option for consumers who are concerned about their health and the environment.
| Environmental Impact | Traditional Beef Burger | Impossible Burger |
|---|---|---|
| Water usage | 660 gallons per quarter pound | 75 gallons per quarter pound |
| Land usage | 75 square feet per quarter pound | 3 square feet per quarter pound |
| Greenhouse gas emissions | 3.2 kilograms per quarter pound | 0.35 kilograms per quarter pound |
Overall, the Impossible Burger has the potential to make a significant impact on the environment by using fewer resources and producing fewer emissions than traditional beef burgers. As more people become aware of the benefits of plant-based burgers, it is likely that we will see a shift towards more sustainable and environmentally-friendly food options.
Beyond Burger vs Impossible Burger Taste Test
One of the most significant factors that come into play while deciding which burger is healthier is taste. Both Beyond and Impossible burgers claim to taste like real meat, but which one comes out on top in a taste test?
- Appearance: The Beyond burger looks more like a traditional meat-based burger, with a pink interior and charred exterior. The Impossible burger, on the other hand, has a slightly lighter color, but still resembles a beef patty.
- Texture: This is where the two burgers differ the most. The Beyond burger is made with pea protein, while the Impossible burger uses heme, a molecule found in plants and animals that gives meat its distinct flavor and texture. The Beyond burger has a slightly softer texture, while the Impossible burger has a chewier texture that more closely resembles meat.
- Taste: In a blind taste test, the two burgers were neck and neck in terms of preference. Some testers preferred the Beyond burger because of its mild flavor, while others favored the Impossible burger for its meatier taste.
Ultimately, taste is subjective, and it’s up to individual preference which burger comes out on top. However, both burgers are delicious alternatives to traditional meat burgers and can easily be incorporated into a healthy diet.
Which is Healthier: The Beyond Burger or the Impossible Burger?
1. Are both the Beyond Burger and the Impossible Burger plant-based?
Yes, both burgers are plant-based and made from a blend of proteins, fats, and other ingredients that emulate the taste and texture of meat.
2. Which burger has fewer calories?
The Beyond Burger has 250 calories per patty, whereas the Impossible Burger has 240 calories. However, calorie content alone does not determine the healthiness of a food.
3. Do these burgers contain GMOs?
The Beyond Burger is made with non-GMO ingredients, while the Impossible Burger is made with genetically modified soy. However, both burgers have received approval from the FDA for safety.
4. Is one burger more nutritious than the other?
Both burgers are similar in that they offer plant-based protein, iron, and other nutrients. However, the Beyond Burger is higher in sodium, while the Impossible Burger is higher in saturated fat.
5. Are there any allergens in these burgers?
Both burgers contain wheat and soy, which are common allergens. The Impossible Burger also contains coconut oil, which can be an allergen for some people.
6. Which burger is better for the environment?
Both the Beyond Burger and the Impossible Burger have a significantly lower environmental impact than traditional beef burgers. However, some studies have suggested that the Impossible Burger may be more sustainable due to its use of genetically modified soy.
7. Which burger tastes better?
Taste is subjective and varies from person to person. Some people prefer the taste of the Beyond Burger, while others prefer the Impossible Burger. It is recommended to try both and see which one you prefer.
Closing Thoughts
Thank you for reading this article about which is healthier, the Beyond Burger or the Impossible Burger. While both burgers offer a plant-based alternative to traditional beef burgers, it ultimately depends on your personal health goals and preferences. We hope this information has been helpful and encourage you to visit again for future articles.