Bad news if you were hoping 'meatless' burgers were healthier
California-based Tex-Mex chain Del Taco sold two million of its meatless tacos made with a plant-based substitute from Beyond Meat BYND, +0.75% two months after the launch. It was so well-received, the chain has decided to roll out meatless burritos. The West Coast eatery is the latest fast food restaurant to jump on the alternative meat bandwagon, joining the likes of Burger King, Little Caesars and White Castle as consumers continue to crave alternative protein.
The alternative meat market is booming, with plant-based fake meats that look, taste and bleed just like the real thing taking over grocery stores and fast food restaurants. Part of the appeal for diners is that eating less red meat can cut the risk of heart disease and other health risks. But nutritionists and registered dietitians say ordering a meatless burger at a chain — especially one where you can get fries with it — might not be that much better for you.
At Burger King, the meatless Impossible Whopper, available at select locations, is 630 calories, compared to the regular Whopper which is 660. . ‘Our goal is to make food that is at least as nutritious as the animal-derived versions.’ — Rachel Konrad, spokeswoman for Impossible Foods Impossible Foods doesn’t seem to be trying to make a product that’s necessarily healthier. In fact, a spokeswoman said the company’s focus is on matching the nutritional value of meat. “Our goal is to make food that is at least as nutritious as the animal-derived versions,” Rachel Konrad, a spokeswoman for Impossible Foods, told MarketWatch in an email.
Is America ready for the McDonald’s McVegan? Other fast food eateries have experimented with plant-based proteins on a limited basis. Wendy’s WEN, +0.10% tested a black bean vegetarian burger in 2016, but discontinued the item. Wendy’s did not respond to a request for comment.Beware of the ‘health halo’ Dr. Lisa Young, a registered dietitian and author of “Finally Full, Finally Slim,” says meat alternatives become even more unhealthy when you factor in the bread, condiments and French fries that typically round out a fast food meal.
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