Plant based meat substitutes offer no advantage over meat substitutes.

[Brookswood]

I can’t say I am surprised. While Vegetarian diets can be helpful, eating a lot of these meat substitutes is not.

Heart-healthy diet: Plant-based meat analogues no better than meat

In this 8-week study involving 89 participants, half were asked to eat PBMAs, and the other half ate animal meats. The researchers looked at levels of bad cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure, among other health indicators.
The findings showed no significant changes in cholesterol profiles for either diet, but both diets were linked to improvements in some blood sugar markers.
There was no clear advantage of one diet over the other in improving heart health. However, in a smaller group that closely monitored their blood sugar, those eating animal meat managed their blood sugar levels better.

If a person wants the advantages of eating more plants, then she needs to eat the whole plant.

“Conversely, diets rich in minimally plant-based foods, including whole grains, legumes, nuts, fruits, and vegetables, and their bioactive compounds, have repeatedly been linked to better cardiometabolic health outcomes and a reduced risk of death from any cause,” Costa pointed out.

IOW, eating minimally processed real food, plant or animal based, is better than factory made foods.

 

[Aunt Bea]

I agree with the notion that it makes more sense to avoid meat substitutes and heavily processed foods but old habits die hard.

 

[chic]

I can’t say I am surprised. While Vegetarian diets can be helpful, eating a lot of these meat substitutes is not.

Heart-healthy diet: Plant-based meat analogues no better than meat



If a person wants the advantages of eating more plants, then she needs to eat the whole plant.



IOW, eating minimally processed real food, plant or animal based, is better than factory made foods.

Of course. Are people really that clueless?

 

[HermitHogan]

I think my blood pressure would go up if I had to eat nothing but vegetables.

 

[Brookswood]

Also, be wary of studies of meat eaters that show meat is dangerous. Often they lump in the highly processed meats with meat that is close to how it came off the animal.

More and more, I find examples where the food isn’t the problem. The problem is what they do to the food before we consume it.

 

[Nathan]

Eat real veggies because they are good.

Eat real meat because it is meat, that is, if you can afford it.

 

[HermitHogan]

Eat real veggies because they are good.

Eat real meat because it is meat, that is, if you can afford it.

Chicken is back down to pre-pandemic prices. $2.49 / lb. for boneless skinless chicken breasts at KingSooper's.

 

[Nathan]

Chicken is back down to pre-pandemic prices. $2.49 / lb. for boneless skinless chicken breasts at KingSooper's.

I eat mostly chicken anyway, less fat than red meat.

 

[Remy]

I haven't eaten meat in over 30 years but I didn't do it for my health. And I don't like those plant based burger subs that try to act like meat. I do like Smart Dogs and I bought a Field Roast today.

Anyway, I'll eat what I want and not worry about it. Got some brussels sprouts I need to cook.

 

[Muskrat]

While I think we are responsible for many animal deaths in our kitchen…fake burgers do not appeal to me. Now I do not mind a meal made of vegetables…but i do not like or need fake meat.

 

[Nathan]

I haven't eaten meat in over 30 years but I didn't do it for my health. And I don't like those plant based burger subs that try to act like meat. I do like Smart Dogs and I bought a Field Roast today.

Anyway, I'll eat what I want and not worry about it. Got some brussels sprouts I need to cook.

Yes, years ago I tried a couple different "veggie burgers" and they were tasty, didn't really create any illusion that the were "meat", but they were hardly what you could regard as healthy, with the ton of sodium they had added.

 

[Michael Z]

The store bought meat substitutes are loaded with processed soy and vegetable oils, all inflammatory. A better meatless option would be to go with home made bean and lentil dishes made with olive oil and whole food ingredients.

 

[CallMeKate]

I try to watch sodium more than anything else. I don't *need* to, but have chosen to before it becomes a problem. There are only a few "fakes" I can stomach, those being Morningstar Farms Black Bean Burger and Dr. Praeger's California Veggie Burger... neither of which is trying to imitate ground beef, come to think of it. Anyhow, this is what I found when I was doing the research:

Plant-based meat products often contain more sodium than the meat they're designed to replace:

• Impossible Burger: Contains 370 milligrams of sodium, compared to 75 milligrams in an uncooked 4-ounce beef patty
• Beyond Burger: Contains 390 milligrams of sodium, compared to 75 milligrams in an uncooked 4-ounce beef patty
• Vegan Meat Lovers Burger: Contains 330 milligrams of sodium

 

[Murrmurr]

Vegans know this, though.

I think they choose vegan mainly because they are against animal cruelty and the mass slaughter of animals. That's what the few I've known told me.

 

[Remy]

Yes, years ago I tried a couple different "veggie burgers" and they were tasty, didn't really create any illusion that the were "meat", but they were hardly what you could regard as healthy, with the ton of sodium they had added.

I know, the sodium. I stopped buying the Trader Joe's high protein veggie burgers for that reason. And I don't think they carry them anymore.

I'm going to try and make some myself some day. I did make some oat burgers, they were not very good.

 

[Remy]

The store bought meat substitutes are loaded with processed soy and vegetable oils, all inflammatory. A better meatless option would be to go with home made bean and lentil dishes made with olive oil and whole food ingredients.

Do agree. I want to make a lentil loaf someday. But I have cooking anxiety since I'm convinced I'm a lousy cook and I don't think I'm imagining it. That said, I will have smart dogs on occasion or breaded commercial patties. And I can use my oven since it's cold.

 

[Debrah N.]

I can’t say I am surprised. While Vegetarian diets can be helpful, eating a lot of these meat substitutes is not.

Heart-healthy diet: Plant-based meat analogues no better than meat



If a person wants the advantages of eating more plants, then she needs to eat the whole plant.



IOW, eating minimally processed real food, plant or animal based, is better than factory made foods.

I don't think anyone is suggesting that anyone should eat only those processed faux meats or that it's healthier for people. Although at the same time, they do use less land, less water to produce and they aren't as bad for the environment and the healthier an environment is, the better for us to live in. And it's definitely a lot better for the animals (that are being mimicked).

 

[Debrah N.]

I think my blood pressure would go up if I had to eat nothing but vegetables.

Your blood pressure would probably go down once you figured out some great recipes that you liked.

 

[Debrah N.]

Eat real veggies because they are good.

Eat real meat because it is meat, that is, if you can afford it.

Except studies are showing that the more meat you eat, the greater your risk of heart disease and cancer of various types. Also the production of 'real meat' isn't good for the environment because it depends on millions of pieces of heavy equipment both seeding, spraying and harvesting and moving hundreds of millions of acres of land, in the production of the feed that animals eat. Not to mention the trucks and refrigerators that move and cool the products....all impacting our environment negatively.

 

[Debrah N.]

Vegans know this, though.

I think they choose vegan mainly because they are against animal cruelty and the mass slaughter of animals. That's what the few I've known told me.

That's why I quit too. Couldn't be a part of it anymore. And I was very pleased to find out years later, that my choice was actually a very healthy one. I felt like that was a bonus and then to find out too that it was easier on the environment...bonus #2. It's been about 30 years for me as well, since I last ate meat.

 

[Debrah N.]

Do agree. I want to make a lentil loaf someday. But I have cooking anxiety since I'm convinced I'm a lousy cook and I don't think I'm imagining it. That said, I will have smart dogs on occasion or breaded commercial patties. And I can use my oven since it's cold.

You just need to find a few simple and fool proof recipes to give yourself some encouragement. Youtube has some great videos on cooking. If you Google 'Rainbow Plant Life Youtube', you'll come up with a wonderful assortment of easy to do dishes. She makes a red lentil curry on one of them that is so easy and tastes pretty authentic. The only thing special that you need for that one is a spice mix called Garam Masala and it'll make your kitchen smell wonderful even before you cook with it.

I pretty much gave up on loafs and patties/burgers home made.

 

[Brookswood]

Except studies are showing that the more meat you eat, the greater your risk of heart disease and cancer of various types.

Remove the highly processed meats and that is no longer true.

 

[Debrah N.]

Remove the highly processed meats and that is no longer true.

No actually it isn't. The studies are looking at red meat and at processed and isn't exclusive to only one.

Red Meat and Processed Meat Consumption.

From the link: Red meat is associated with an increased risk of colon and rectum cancer, and evidence also suggests it is associated with some other cancers, such as prostate and pancreatic cancer. Examples of red meat include beef, pork, and lamb.......................................

 

[Debrah N.]

Remove the highly processed meats and that is no longer true.

Sorry to burst your bubble: '.......Red meat is associated with an increased risk of colon and rectum cancer, and evidence also suggests it is associated with some other cancers, such as prostate and pancreatic cancer. Examples of red meat include beef, pork, and lamb. ..........'
Red Meat and Processed Meat Consumption.

 

[January]

"an increased risk" needs to be seen in context eg 0.5% increasing to 0.6% is an increased risk - but is it significant? - for most people eating a sensible amount of red meat will not cause a significant increased risk

Obviously both meat eaters and vegetarians can eat processed foods and whole foods - and some products are more processed and more or less nutritious than others in both meat eating and vegetarian diets.

If you like 'fake burgers' eat them in moderation - some vegetarians will like them and others won't

If you like meat burgers, eat them in moderation - some meat eaters will like them and some wont. Some might even like a fake burger too

I have no horse in this race - I don't eat burgers of any sort - but I do think it is important to see context and dosage in statements.