We are all about living a lifestyle that includes eating real, whole foods that come from the Earth, finding a way to move daily and clocking quality sleep each night. We enjoy eating fresh fruits, hearty vegetables and high-quality meat with transparent sourcing methods, but we haven’t helped but notice some new plant-based burgers hitting grocery store shelves and restaurant menus nationwide. Although we are all for plants, it leads us to wonder, “Are plant-based burgers really better for you?”

Why Plant-Based is Important

We firmly believe plants should be an abundant part of our daily diets and should cover most of our dinner plates. Who doesn’t love a good salad bowl every now and then? Plant-based diets offer antioxidants, fiber, phytonutrients, minerals, and vitamins. Let’s not forget how delicious plants are too. However, when foods are processed, including fruits and vegetables, many of the natural nutrients are stripped away meaning we may not be getting the full range of minerals and vitamins we should be getting from these foods. Companies providing consumers with plant-based burgers claim their plant-based burgers are better for our health and the health of the planet. CNBC has even reported that nearly 60% of U.S. consumers have expressed interested in eating less meat. But are plant-based burgers really better? 

Burgers vs. Plant-Based Burgers

Plant-based burgers use a mix of plant-based proteins, oils (like canola oil) and other ingredients to mimic the taste and texture of all-natural beef burgers. One of the most popular ingredients that helps companies achieve this is soy as it gives plant-based burgers a hearty texture and meaty taste. Although not all companies offer plant-based burgers that contain soy, some do and we don’t know about you, but we prefer to eat food that we, and our bodies, can actually recognize. Plus, most soy in the United States is genetically modified, which means its “genetic makeup has been modified in a laboratory using genetic engineering or transgenic technology. This creates combinations of plant, animal, bacterial and virus genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods.” (Yikes!) “A beef patty contains only one natural ingredient: beef,” says the North American Meat Institute. It can’t get any more straightforward than that!

It’s also important to note that consumers may see plant-based burgers and think they are “better” than red meat options because they are plant-based. In a sense, this gives them a “health halo,” and can lead consumers to think they can over-indulge and eat plant-based burgers all the time. Just because something is labeled “plant-based,” doesn't mean it’s better for you. If you are considering eating plant-based burgers for the sake of your health, do a quick comparison and you will find there really isn’t all that much of a difference when eating a plant-based burger over a beef burger. Also, always be sure to read the ingredient label of the food your purchase. If you cannot recognize an ingredient, odds are your body cannot either! If you have a hankering for a juicy burger that is flamed-kissed straight off the grill, wouldn’t you rather just have the real deal than an imitation option? We would anyways.

TRIBALÍ Foods 

Here at TRIBALÍ Foods, our entire team holds the highest standards when it comes to choosing protein sources, ingredients and flavors. We believe when animals are raised how nature intended, it benefits the animals, the environment, us, our bodies and our overall health. 

We believe pure, high quality, simple ingredients make the most flavorful food, which is why TRIBALÍ Foods always sources protein that has been humanely raised and sustainably sourced. By enjoying food and flavors the way Mother Nature intended them, you can feel good about what you eat without having to question what’s in your food. With TRIBALÍ Foods you can always count on real, whole food ingredients with each and every bite.