Meat alternatives are now a billion-dollar market. The Impossible Burger and other meat substitute products are plant-based but highly processed. Most of them add preservatives, salt, flavorings, and fillers to enhance taste, shelf life, and texture. If your goal is to eat healthier, you may not be doing your body a favor. Here is the breakdown of several concerns.
GMO ingredients: Genetically engineered heme, an iron-rich molecule found in meat is used as a color additive in most meat alternative products. Sodium: one 4-oz Impossible burger patty contains 370 mg of added salt, which is 16 % of the daily recommendation. A 4-oz cooked beef burger has about 55 mg. Extra carbohydrate: one 4-oz Impossible burger patty contains 9 g carbohydrates (3 grams of which are fiber). A 4-oz cooked beef burger has 0 g of carbohydrate. Allergenic ingredients: The protein in some meat alternatives are from wheat or soy, both of which are common food allergens.
Fortunately, you can always make healthier veggie burgers at home based on plant proteins like beans, grains, and nuts with no added harmful ingredients.