Is fake meat actually better than real meat?

There are so many options for plant based options today. It is possible to get fake sausages, burger patties, ground beef, steak, pastrami, and more. The question that crosses many buyers’ minds is, if it’s worth it or not? An average customer might be tempted to try a fake meat product for a few health reasons like high cholesterol, needing more fiber in their diet, or even a general distrust of processed red meat. Additionally customers with plant based diets benefit from such fake meat products mostly due to the convenience and the variety that is offered.

However, when compared, there is no mountain of evidence that suggests fake meat is better than real meat. It is safe to conclude that the allure of fake meat is mostly based on ethical grounds and convenience.

What are the differences between fake meat and real meat?

In a plant based diet, the additional protein is very much beneficial from the fake meat products, and it is also a very convenient source. This study dives deeper into the “protein outlook”, outlining some health benefits along the research.  When compared to red meat, the protein levels are within the same bracket, hence there is no clear winner between the two. Two biggest differences are fiber and fat levels between two options.

Fiber, as this study suggests, from a plant based source is not easy to match with a pure red meat option. Neither the saturated fat levels, with plant based options usually containing less (at least 6 grams in ground beef whereas it can be down to 2 grams in fake meat). There are exceptions to this, but choosing the lower fat options is easier with fake meat. This variety is one of the “in-demand” attributes of fake meat.

Is it healthier to choose fake meat?

According to a study from the Singapore Institute of Food and biotechnology Innovation, there may not be a drastic difference between two types of consumers who regularly consume fake meat, and those who do not. Beyond meat (a well known plant based food provider) funded a research as well, which resulted in a few health benefits for fake meat consumers. These include lower cholesterol, and a minor weight loss. In contrast, the University of Surrey has stated that a higher risk of depression in vegetarians who consume fake meat options is present up to 42%. This might also have a lot to do with  digesting plants and plant based products alike for humans. Inflammation, and stomach issues are common to follow a plant based option for most people since the digestive track is used to (and has evolved for) a meat based diet. 

Overall it’s hard to trust when you are aware that a level of processing has been in your food. There isn’t so far an unbiased study that extensively did the research on the subject. Although there are unhealthy (at times cancerous texturing agents like processed eucheuma seaweed) components to fake meat, so far the real difference is the convenience it brings to a plant based plate.