A Complete Guide To Plant-Based Meats

The Downfalls Of (Some) Plant-Based Meats

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While MN has already covered the benefits of eating a more plant-based diet, there are some pitfalls to be aware of when it comes to faux meats. Read the nutritional labels thoroughly and try to find options that avoid these issues:

High in sodium. In order to give them flavor, many plant-based meat companies add a tremendous amount of sodium to their products.

High in saturated fats. Some forms of plant-based meats can be high in saturated fat and in total fat.

Highly processed. Many plant-based types of meat must go through extensive processing in order to mold into their chicken nugget or sausage form. Furthermore, they’re often loaded with preservatives to keep them fresh.

Generally speaking, the closer faux meat resembles real meat, the more likely it’s going to be high in sodium, saturated fats and preservatives. Looking for items that resemble their original main ingredient closely is the healthiest bet. For example, a black bean burger in which you can still see the whole beans, will likely be healthier than a faux burger that tastes and looks like ground beef. In order for plants to taste and look like meat, they need to contain binding agents, oil and other ingredients that give them their texture.