Okay, so what’s the beef? (hehe)
Basically, there has been a significant increase in the number of people who are choosing to follow a vegan lifestyle. According to GlobalData, the number of Americans who are now vegan increased by 600% from 2014 to 2017, and a similar trend has been observed in other parts of the world as well.
People tend to go vegan because they’re concerned about animal welfare, their health benefits, and/or environmental sustainability. As more plant-based food options become available and affordable, it is likely that “veganism” may become a norm and less of a trend.
However, it is important to note that veganism is still a relatively small movement compared to the overall population, and there are many people who still choose to eat meat and animal products. It is important for people with different dietary preferences to respect each other's choices and work together to find sustainable and ethical ways to feed the growing global population.
What’s fake meat? What’s in it?
The Beyond Burger is a plant-based burger patty made by the company Beyond Meat. The patty is made primarily from pea protein and is designed to look, cook, and taste like a traditional beef burger. The Beyond Burger is marketed as a more sustainable and ethical alternative to beef, as it requires less water and land to produce, and generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions. The Beyond Burger has gained popularity in recent years, as more people are looking for meat alternatives that are better for their health and the environment.
The ingredients
Overall, the Beyond Burger is a plant-based alternative to traditional beef burgers that is designed to mimic the taste, texture, and appearance of meat while being more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
The Impossible Burger is another popular plant-based meat substitute that is designed to look, taste, and cook like real beef. The main ingredients in an Impossible Burger patty include:
The ingredients
The question of which is better between the Beyond Burger and the Impossible Burger is a matter of personal preference. Both plant-based burgers have their own unique blend of ingredients and flavors that mimic the taste, texture, and appearance of beef, and both have their own loyal fan base.
Some people prefer the taste and texture of the Beyond Burger, which has a slightly sweeter flavor and a firmer, chewy texture. Others prefer the Impossible Burger, which has a meatier flavor and a juicier texture, thanks to its use of soy leghemoglobin.
Lets look at the nutrition
In terms of nutrition, both burgers are relatively high in protein and lower in saturated fat than traditional beef burgers, but they also contain a number of highly processed ingredients, so they may not be the healthiest choice for everyone.
Sodium and Carbs Concentration:
According to the nutrition information on their respective websites, a single 4 oz Beyond Burger patty contains 380mg of sodium, while a single 4 oz Impossible Burger patty contains 370mg of sodium.
According to the nutrition information provided on their respective websites, a single 4 oz Beyond Burger patty contains 3g of total carbohydrates. In comparison, a single 4 oz Impossible Burger patty contains 9g of total carbohydrates.
Gallons of water
Impossible Foods claims producing an Impossible Burger patty uses 87% less water than producing a beef patty.
Beyond Meat claims producing a patty uses 99% less water than producing a beef patty. Water is mainly used to produce their plant-based meat alternatives is primarily for growing the plant-based ingredients, such as peas, mung beans, and rice, that are used to make the patty.
Compared to beef, which requires large amounts of water for raising and feeding livestock, the water footprint of Beyond Meat's products is significantly lower.
For context, a beef patty takes about 112.5 gallons of water to make a 4oz patty. Respectively, a beyond patty requires 1.1 gallons of water and an impossible patty requires 14.56 gallons of water.
Why should you care?
All in all, a plant-based diet is generally considered to be better for the environment than a diet that includes a lot of animal products. Animal agriculture is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, water pollution, and other environmental problems.
According to the United Nations, animal agriculture is responsible for around 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from the production of methane by cows and other livestock. In addition, large areas of land are cleared for grazing and feed production, leading to deforestation and habitat loss. Animal agriculture also requires large amounts of water, fertilizer, and other resources, which can contribute to water pollution and other environmental problems.
In contrast, plant-based foods generally require fewer resources to produce and generate fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Eating a plant-based diet can also help reduce the demand for animal products and encourage the development of more sustainable food systems.
However, it's worth noting that not all plant-based foods are created equal, and some types of plant-based foods may have a higher environmental impact than others. For example, certain crops may require large amounts of water or fertilizer, and transportation and packaging can also contribute to the ecological impact of food. Therefore, it's important to consider the environmental impact of all aspects of food production and consumption and make choices that are as sustainable as possible.
Enjoyed this article? Join the conversation on below by leaving a comment or head over our instagram @mona.gems