Food scientists are (in part) responsible for shaping our modern diets. Their advancements have allowed for greater access to more nutritious, cost-effective, and longer-lasting foods. They've also managed to provide some truly unhealthy abominations that pack dizzying amounts of sugars, fats, and salts into small, convenient packages.

Knowing what goes into the foods we're eating is the first step in reclaiming our calories, and opting IN to a life of conscious and healthy eating. The phrase caveat emptor--when translated from Latin it means 'buyer beware'--rings especially true when perusing the grocery store aisles. 

But what can we make of the latest and greatest lab-grown food fad: plant-based proteins?

Two companies at the forefront of this conversation, Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat, have enjoyed unending press. The US-based burger chain Burger King recently previewed their own 'impossible Whopper' - an all-veggie reimagining of their most famous offering. Meanwhile, Beyond Meat went public with an IPO that had investors reeling; the company's value doubled nearly overnight.

So what are they and are they good for you? 

As advanced trainees, we know that Kenzai doesn’t advocate for processed foods. So it makes sense to turn a skeptical eye towards these plant-based proteins - they're clearly here to stay.

So let's dig a little deeper.

What is in these meat substitutes? How do they compare nutritionally to having a burger? How do they compare to tofu or beans? How do they compare to a lean ground turkey burger?

Let's begin by comparing ingredients:

Impossible Burger Ingredients:  Water, Soy Protein Concentrate, Coconut Oil, Sunflower Oil, Natural Flavors, 2% or less of: Potato Protein, Methylcellulose, Yeast Extract, Cultured Dextrose, Food Starch Modified, Soy Leghemoglobin, Salt, Soy Protein Isolate, Mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E), Zinc Gluconate, Thiamine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B1), Sodium Ascorbate (Vitamin C), Niacin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin B12.

Beyond Burger Ingredients:  Water, Pea Protein Isolate, Expeller-Pressed Canola Oil, Refined Coconut Oil, Contains 2% or less of the following: Cellulose from Bamboo, Methylcellulose, Potato Starch, Natural Flavor, Maltodextrin, Yeast Extract, Salt, Sunflower Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Dried Yeast, Gum Arabic, Citrus Extract (to protect quality), Ascorbic Acid (to maintain color), Beet Juice Extract (for color), Acetic Acid, Succinic Acid, Modified Food Starch, Annatto (for color).

You can see from a quick glance that these two meatless products are slightly different. The Impossible Burger relies on a soy protein concentrate base, while the Beyond Burger uses pea protein isolate. From a Kenzai standpoint, we refer to these proteins as legumes. They’re a bit difficult harder to quantify. They don't fall into our standard macro categories of proteins, vegetables and carbohydrates.

They're also chock-full of fillers and binders. There's a lot more in those burgers than just soy or peas/beans. It includes all sorts of things that don’t quite sound like food. And it also includes oil. Added fats in processed foods add flavor and unctuousness. They also add extra calories! But not all fats are bad.

Let's dive deeper into the macros breakdown between protein options:

Looks like these plant-based burgers align closely with the standard beef burger. They're also full of unrecognizable ingredients... making them processed foods!

The fact remains: our bodies are less efficient at using the protein in these non-meat protein sources. Meat eaters would find more readily available protein grams in a less-processed option - such as grilled chicken, ground turkey, or ground beef.  

But for a vegetarian looking for options when dining out, these new meatless burgers aren’t bad as an occasional choice!

That said, they are heavily processed. They should NOT be viewed as a healthy alternative. They're a wonderful, ethical substitute for when you're craving a burger and fries. 

As always, employ a healthy dose of skepticism when navigating grocery store aisles and restaurant menus. Only YOU can reclaim your calories. And knowing what goes into your food is the first step in living a healthy, more informed life.