Is Beyond Meat a Healthier Option Than a Traditional Beef Burger?

November 22, 2025 •

2 min read

The plant-based meat market is predicted to reach over $16 billion by 2028, reflecting a massive consumer shift toward alternatives like Beyond Meat. But as these products gain popularity, a critical question arises for many health-conscious consumers: is Beyond Meat a healthier option than its animal-based counterpart?

Quick Summary

This comparison of Beyond Meat and beef details nutritional trade-offs involving saturated fat, sodium, fiber, and processing levels. Its overall health impact depends on individual diet and context.

Key Points

Less Saturated Fat and No Cholesterol: Beyond Meat typically has lower saturated fat and contains zero cholesterol compared to an 80/20 beef burger.
High in Sodium: Beyond Meat products generally have a higher sodium content than unseasoned ground beef due to flavor additives.
Considered Ultra-Processed: Like other meat alternatives, Beyond Meat is a highly processed food, which is a key difference from whole plant foods like lentils.
Contains Fiber: Unlike beef, Beyond Meat provides dietary fiber from its plant-based ingredients, which is beneficial for digestive health.
Positive Health Studies: A Stanford study found that replacing red meat with Beyond Meat led to improved cardiovascular risk factors, including lower LDL cholesterol.
Context is Key: Its health benefits are relative to what it is replacing in a diet. For someone reducing red meat, it can be a useful alternative, but whole plant foods are often more nutrient-dense.
Fortified Nutrients: Unlike beef, which naturally contains nutrients like Vitamin B12 and zinc, Beyond Meat must be fortified with these micronutrients.

Nutritional Face-Off: Beyond Meat vs. Beef

When evaluating if Beyond Meat is a healthier option, a direct nutritional comparison to a traditional beef burger is essential. Looking at their core components reveals a nuanced picture.

The Saturated Fat and Cholesterol Story

Beyond Meat products contain no cholesterol, which is a significant difference compared to a conventional 80/20 beef burger. Beyond Meat's formulas have also been updated to feature less saturated fat, sometimes using oils like avocado oil. This can be an advantage for individuals focused on heart health.

Decoding Sodium Content

However, Beyond Meat often contains high levels of sodium to achieve a savory flavor. A Beyond Burger patty can have notably more sodium than an unseasoned beef patty of similar size. This is a key factor for those monitoring sodium intake.

Protein, Fiber, and Micronutrients

Both Beyond Meat and lean beef are good sources of protein. Beyond Meat offers dietary fiber, which is absent in beef and important for digestion. Beef naturally contains micronutrients like zinc and Vitamin B12, while Beyond Meat adds these through fortification.

The Processed Food Debate: A Closer Look

Beyond Meat is often categorized as an "ultra-processed" food, leading to discussions about its place in a healthy diet compared to whole plant foods.

Are All Processed Foods Equal?

Beyond Meat is made using processes to create a meat-like texture. Some research suggests that replacing processed red meat with plant-based alternatives does not negatively impact health, implying the 'ultra-processed' label may not have the same health implications as for other processed items.

Whole Foods vs. Engineered Foods

Despite this, Beyond Meat is not a whole food, as it uses isolates and extracts. Many nutritionists still recommend whole-food plant-based options like homemade bean burgers as generally healthier due to being minimally processed and retaining more natural nutrients.

Beyond the Numbers: The Broader Health Context

A Stanford University study, the SWAP-MEAT study, found that replacing animal meat with Beyond Meat products over eight weeks improved certain cardiovascular disease risk factors, including reducing LDL cholesterol.

Context is Everything

The overall health impact of Beyond Meat, like any food, depends on its preparation and the context of the entire diet. A balanced diet centered on whole foods is generally recommended.

Details on typical ingredients in a Beyond Burger, a nutritional comparison table between a Beyond Burger and an 85% lean beef burger (4oz uncooked), and the conclusion regarding whether Beyond Meat is a healthier choice can be found by following the links in the citations section below. Specific ingredient information is available from {Link: cleanfoodfacts.com https://cleanfoodfacts.com/product/beyond-meat-beyond-burger-new-meatier-formulation-retail/}.

Conclusion: Is Beyond Meat the Healthier Choice for You?

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Beyond Meat is classified as an ultra-processed food because it is made from isolated and extracted ingredients and undergoes significant manufacturing to achieve its final form.

Yes, Beyond Meat contains saturated fat from plant-based oils like coconut or avocado oil. However, newer formulas have reduced saturated fat content compared to older versions.

Yes, Beyond Meat products provide a high amount of protein per serving, derived from plant sources like peas, brown rice, and fava beans.

Beyond Meat typically has a higher sodium content than unseasoned ground beef due to added flavorings. However, the sodium in beef can increase with seasonings.

Yes, studies have shown that it can help reduce certain cardiovascular disease risk factors and contains zero cholesterol, unlike beef.

Minimally processed, whole-food plant options like beans, lentils, and chickpeas are generally considered more nutrient-dense and a healthier choice for consistent consumption.

It can be included in a weight loss plan, but its calorie and fat content are comparable to beef, and it is a processed food, so moderation is advised.