Are plant-based burgers better for you?

impossible burger
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Plant-based burgers have soared in popularity over the past couple of years. Are these meat alternatives healthier for you than the real thing? Introducing more plant-based foods in your diet is a good thing, says Katherine Zeratsky, a Mayo Clinic registered dietitian nutritionist, but pay attention to the ingredients.

It looks like a burger. It cooks like a burger. Some say it tastes similar to a burger. But is it healthier?

“It really depends on how that plant-based burger is made.”

Katherine Zeratsky says the benefit of plant-based burgers usually comes in the form of fiber and other nutrients. But then comes the issue of fat.

“Some plant-based burgers are going to have added fat, and oftentimes, the added fat is a .”

Commonly added fats are coconut oil or palm oil. Like with natural meat burgers, saturated fats can be concerning.

“Saturated fat has an association with raising our bad cholesterol, and the concern is that it may increase our heart disease risk.”

High sodium and calories also can make a dent in health benefits of a veggie burger. Zeratsky says eating more plant-based foods like vegetables or whole grains is a good approach.

“Just compare products.”

Along with added fiber, there’s another benefit to a plant-based diet.

“This is an to allow someone who enjoys meat to have something that is similar to that, yet is less impactful on the environment.”



©2021 Mayo Clinic News Network. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Citation: Are plant-based burgers better for you? (2021, September 23) retrieved 4 October 2021 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-09-plant-based-burgers.html

This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Note: This article have been indexed to our site. We do not claim legitimacy, ownership or copyright of any of the content above. To see the article at original source Click Here

Related Posts
Omicron sub-variant found in 57 countries: WHO thumbnail

Omicron sub-variant found in 57 countries: WHO

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A sub-variant of the highly contagious Omicron coronavirus strain, which some studies indicate could be even more infectious than the original version, has been detected in 57 countries, the WHO said Tuesday. The fast-spreading and heavily mutated Omicron variant has rapidly become the dominant variant worldwide since it was first detected…
Read More
Health Matters thumbnail

Health Matters

Health Matters is a well-written, 8-page newsletter that provides essential information about pandemic influenza to the public. The articles provide essential and practical information about what to expect during a pandemic, and emphasize personal preparedness, prevention, and home care. The document is an ideal tool for placement on desks or web sites at Local Health…
Read More
Biden Invests $100 Million to Grow Nursing Workforce thumbnail

Biden Invests $100 Million to Grow Nursing Workforce

Nursing > Nursing — Includes support for trainees, faculty positions, and NPs launching practices by Shannon Firth, Washington Correspondent, MedPage Today August 11, 2023 The Biden Administration announced new funding on Thursday to help grow and retain the nurse workforce. "The $100 million dollars we are announcing today does three key things," said Carole Johnson
Read More
Pfizer launches mRNA flu vaccine trial thumbnail

Pfizer launches mRNA flu vaccine trial

"The Covid-19 pandemic allowed us to deliver on the immense scientific opportunity of mRNA," Kathrin Jansen, head of vaccine research at Pfizer, said in a statement. US pharmaceutical company Pfizer said Monday it had begun a clinical trial to test an influenza vaccine designed with the same mRNA technology behind its successful COVID-19 shot. The…
Read More
Index Of News
Total
0
Share