A Healthier Beyond Burger: The Beyond IV Platform
Beyond Meat introduced its fourth-generation platform, Beyond IV, in early 2024, focusing on health-conscious updates to its Beyond Burger and Beyond Beef products. A key change is the replacement of coconut oil with avocado oil, significantly reducing saturated fat. The goal was to create a plant-based option with improved health benefits compared to both previous versions and conventional beef.
Comparing the New Beyond Burger to Its Predecessor
The new Beyond Burger addresses previous criticisms, particularly its high saturated fat content, which was often comparable to or exceeding some beef patties. The Beyond IV platform achieves a 60% reduction in saturated fat per serving. Furthermore, the new burger contains 20% less sodium than the prior version, a notable improvement for a processed food. These updates, along with a simpler ingredient list, reflect Beyond Meat's effort to attract health-conscious consumers.
The Health Profile vs. Traditional Beef
To understand the health implications of the new Beyond Burger, it's helpful to compare it to a traditional 80/20 beef burger. The following table provides a nutritional comparison for a 4oz patty:
| Nutritional Value (4oz patty) | New Beyond Burger (Beyond IV) | 80/20 Beef Burger |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | ~230 | ~290 |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | ~6g (or higher) |
| Sodium | ~310mg | ~65mg (before seasoning) |
| Cholesterol | 0mg | ~70mg |
| Protein | 21g | ~23g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g | 0g |
| Carbohydrates | 8g | 0g |
| Iron | 20% DV | 15% DV (approximate) |
The new Beyond Burger has an advantage in saturated fat and cholesterol due to its plant-based composition and avocado oil. It also provides dietary fiber, which is absent in beef. However, it contains more sodium than unseasoned beef.
Beyond the Numbers: Processed Food Concerns
Despite the nutritional improvements, the Beyond Burger is still classified as a highly processed food. Unlike whole-food based burgers, it's made through an industrial process involving extraction and extrusion. While the ingredient list is simpler, it still includes isolates, flavorings, and gums for texture and taste.
Key processed ingredients and their roles include:
- Protein Sources: Pea, rice, red lentil, and faba bean protein.
- Fats: Avocado oil and cocoa butter for texture and marbling.
- Binder: Methylcellulose.
- Coloring: Beet juice extract and pomegranate powder.
For those prioritizing a whole-foods diet, the processed nature of the Beyond Burger may be a drawback. Research on the long-term health effects of processed plant-based meat substitutes compared to lean meat or whole plant proteins is ongoing. Organizations like the World Cancer Research Fund recommend limiting highly processed products, a category that includes these alternatives.
Health and Environmental Considerations
Choosing a Beyond Burger involves evaluating several factors:
- Health: Replacing red and processed meat with plant-based options can lower the risk of chronic diseases. The new Beyond Burger's low saturated fat and no cholesterol align with this, offering a stepping stone for reducing red meat intake.
- Environment: Plant-based protein production generally requires less land, water, and generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions than beef, making the Beyond Burger a more sustainable choice.
- Diet: While improved, the Beyond Burger is still a processed convenience item, not a health food for daily consumption. Healthier plant-based meals can be made with whole foods like lentils or beans.
Conclusion
Is the new Beyond Burger healthy? The updated Beyond Burger, with its avocado oil, reduced saturated fat, and lower sodium, is a healthier option compared to its previous versions and many beef burgers. It supports reducing red meat consumption and offers environmental benefits. However, it remains a processed food and is not a substitute for nutrient-dense, whole plant foods. It is best viewed as an occasional alternative rather than a dietary staple. For more information on dietary fats and heart health, resources from organizations like the American Heart Association are recommended.
