The Truth About ‘Plant-Based’ Meat: 6 Ingredients That May Surprise You”

Have you ever stopped to think about what’s really in your plant-based meat? These products have become increasingly popular in recent years, with companies marketing them as healthy and sustainable alternatives to traditional meat. But the truth is, these so-called “plant-based” foods may not be as healthy as they seem.

Let’s take The Beyond Burger as an example, one of the most popular plant-based meat products on the market. Despite its name, the ingredients list is far from what you would consider plant-based: pea protein isolate, expeller pressed canola oil, and a long list of heavily processed additives. In fact, The Beyond Burger is higher in fat, saturated fat, sodium, and calories than lean ground beef.

So, what exactly are these plant-based meats made of? Here are some of the worst ingredients we found in these products:

1. RED #3 (ERYTHROSINE) – an artificial food dye that the FDA recognizes as a thyroid carcinogen, banned from use in cosmetics and topical medications, but still allowed in food products.
2. CARAMEL COLORING – a food coloring that can be associated with cancer, depending on the manufacturing process.
3. TERTIARY BUTYLHYDROQUINONE (TBHQ) – a synthetic preservative that has been linked to increased risk of convulsions, liver enlargement, neurotoxic effects, and tumors in laboratory animals.
4. SODIUM TRIPOLYPHOSPHATE (STPP) – a synthetic preservative that can cause digestive distress and is suspected to be a neurotoxin.
5. SOY PROTEIN ISOLATES, CONCENTRATES, AND TEXTURED VEGETABLE PROTEIN – processed using a solvent called hexane, which is a known human neurotoxin and suspected of damaging reproductive and fetal health. Although the European Union has restrictions on hexane residues in food products, the FDA does not limit or monitor hexane in processed soy.
6. PROPYLENE GLYCOL – a chemical derived from petroleum that is recognized as safe in small doses by the FDA, but has stricter limits in the European Union.

If you want to eat truly healthy and sustainable food, it’s important to be mindful of what you’re putting into your body. Plant-based meats may be marketed as healthy, but the truth is they often contain heavily processed ingredients that are far from natural. To ensure you’re eating the best food possible, it’s best to make your own plant-based meals from scratch or opt for high-quality meat.