In this discussion, we explore the differences between organic grass-fed meat and non-grass-fed meat from intensive farming, highlighting their impact on gut health and hormonal balance. Later in the article, we’ll shift our focus to the rising popularity of plant-based burgers and their potential benefits.
The Issue with Conventional Non-Grass-Fed Meat on your Health:
While organic grass-fed meat offers health benefits like higher omega-3 fatty acids and fewer harmful additives, non-grass-fed meat from intensive conventional farming is often a different story. It may contain synthetic growth hormones and antibiotics that the animals were treated with, which mess with our hormones and gut health through the gut flora—nowadays called the gut microbiome.
These hormonal imbalances and gut microbiome dysbiosis could contribute to a range of health issues, including digestive problems and even more serious conditions like hormone-dependent cancers.
Quality of Meat in Commercial Burgers:
Another concern is the quality of meat used in most commercial burgers. Often, these burgers are made from the less desirable parts of the animal. It’s not just about a high fat-to-meat ratio, but also the inclusion of fillers and extenders like soy protein, fructose-corn-syrup, and even ammonia-treated beef trimmings—commonly known as ‘pink slime.’
These additives not only dilute the nutritional value of the burger but also introduce a host of other potential health risks, such as excessive saturated fats and chemical additives.
Cost-Cutting at the Expense of Health:
In an industrial setting, the primary focus is often on reducing production costs. This means additives, preservatives, and other non-meat elements might be included to extend shelf life and improve texture, but at the expense of your gut health. These additives can lead to an array of health problems, including inflammation, leaky gut and therefore to other chronic diseases.
So when we’re talking about burgers, especially those that aren’t made from high-quality, organic grass-fed meat, there are multiple layers of health concerns to consider. From the quality of the meat to the additives and extenders used, we’re looking at a dish that has moved far from its simple, nutritious origins!
A Look at Plant-Based Burgers
OK, so if a traditional commercial burger isn’t so good, what about these new plant-based ones?
They should represent less problems since there is no meat involved and therefore we shouldn’t worry anymore about the danger of non-grass-fed low quality meat, right? Well, you’re right to ask the question. Let’s take a closer look.
• Many plant-based burgers contain proteins extracted from soy or peas.
These proteins undergo heavy processing, losing most of their nutritional value.
Some studies have raised concerns about potential allergenic properties. Moreover, most of the conventional soy out there is genetically modified (GMO) which raised another array of health issues.
• Plant-based burgers often contain ingredients high in anti-nutrients like lectins, phytates, and oxalates. These compounds can hinder nutrient absorption, potentially leading to deficiencies over time. While soaking, sprouting, and cooking can reduce anti-nutrient levels, commercial plant-based burgers, like other processed foods, typically skip these preparation steps due to time and cost constraints in manufacturing.
• The oils used in processed foods are highly inflammatory due to oxidation during industrial production. Oils like canola oil, soybean oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, or rapeseed oil are commonly used and contribute to health concerns. Even when coconut oil is used, it’s often the unhealthy version—highly refined and chemically deodorized, containing saturated fats. Excessive consumption has been linked to elevated LDL cholesterol levels, a risk factor for heart disease.
• The commercial plant-based burger unfortunately use artificial flavors and additives, like MSG, phosphates, colorants which can have adverse health effects, including headaches and kidney problems.
• Recent research emphasizes how processed food with all sorts of additives, bad oil, refined sugar and carbohydrates (here I’m referring to the buns usually used for the burgers) can disrupt gut microbiome, leading to inflammation.
• Highly processed foodsoften lack nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals, leading to deficiencies and negatively impacting overall health.
Nutritional Comparison
Plant-based burgers usually match the protein content of traditional beef burgers but contain lower levels of saturated fats. Saturated fats have been criticized for their perceived role in heart disease, though inflammation is actually the primary culprit. Nonetheless, excessive consumption of saturated fats is still considered unhealthy.
When we compare plant-based burgers to non-grass-fed meat, which may contain harmful hormones and medicines which impacts gut health, plant-based options appear healthier. But organic grass-fed meat is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and free from those concerning additives.
Homemade Plant-Based Burgers: A Healthy Alternative? If the idea of a store-bought plant-based burger gives you pause, why not go the homemade route? You get to pick what goes in, using only real, whole ingredients, prepare them correctly. Sure, it won’t perfectly mimic a meat burger, but is that really the point?
If I’m craving that meaty texture and not following a special diet, I’ll just opt for a high-quality, organic grass-fed meat burger from time to time. But if that’s not my goal, a homemade plant-based burger can be just as satisfying and tasty, but with its own unique flair. I will Give our Dubai-based naturopathic chef a hint and ask her to share with us her killer recipe to try if you promise to share your comments and thoughts in the community, deal 
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Conclusion
So, are commercial plant-based burgers healthy? It’s a bit complicated. While they offer an alternative to the potential dangers of non-grass-fed quality meat, they come with their own concerns. But don’t fret; there’s always the option of making your own wholesome, natural plant-based burger at home for a fraction of the cost. Here’s to enjoying our favorite foods without compromising our health. Let’s keep exploring, learning, and nourishing ourselves the right way!
About the author
Meet Nabil, the co-founder and COO of MyAuthentikSpoon, an online plateform dedicated to helping people make better food choices for stronger wellbeing. If you’re ready to tackle wellness with a fresh perspective, schedule a complimentary private consultation with our expert naturopathic coach to receive personalised dietary insights and weight management strategies. This is your opportunity to have your questions answered and to learn how to incorporate the food choices into your lifestyle and achieve a better wellbeing.
