Which Plant-Based Meat Brand is the Healthiest? A Deep Dive

November 11, 2025 •

4 min read

Market research shows that global plant-based meat consumption is growing rapidly, but are these alternatives actually healthier than traditional meat? Navigating the plant-based aisle to determine which plant-based meat brand is the healthiest requires a closer look at key nutritional factors beyond just being 'plant-based'.

Quick Summary

This article analyzes popular plant-based meat brands, examining ingredients, saturated fat, and sodium content. It compares ultra-processed options with whole-food alternatives to help health-conscious consumers make informed decisions for their diet.

Key Points

Whole-Food is Best: Brands like Dr. Praeger's and Actual Veggies offer healthier, less-processed products based on whole ingredients like vegetables and legumes.
Saturated Fat is Key: Check the saturated fat content; newer Beyond Meat burgers are lower in saturated fat than Impossible Foods, which uses coconut oil extensively.
Watch the Sodium: Many plant-based meats are heavily salted for flavor, so compare sodium levels across brands to avoid excessive intake.
Ultra-Processed vs. Minimally-Processed: Highly processed meat mimics should be considered 'sometimes' foods. Less-processed options with shorter, cleaner ingredient lists are better for daily consumption.
Look Beyond Protein: While many alternatives have high protein, evaluate the overall nutritional profile, including fiber, sodium, and fat sources, rather than focusing solely on protein content.
Ingredients Matter: A long list of unfamiliar ingredients indicates high processing. The healthiest options generally have shorter ingredient lists with familiar foods.
Health Goals Dictate Choice: The 'healthiest' brand for you depends on your personal health goals. If minimizing processed foods is key, choose whole-food brands. If replicating meat is the priority, understand the nutritional trade-offs.

What Makes a Plant-Based Meat “Healthy”?

When evaluating the healthfulness of plant-based meats, a simple “plant-based” label is not enough. The healthiness of these products varies significantly based on their ingredients and degree of processing. While they often contain less saturated fat and no cholesterol compared to animal meat, they can be high in sodium and contain highly refined protein isolates, oils, and additives. For a truly healthy option, consumers should prioritize products that mimic meat less and rely more on whole-food ingredients like legumes, vegetables, and grains.

Key Health Considerations for Plant-Based Meats

Saturated Fat: Many mainstream brands use coconut oil, which is high in saturated fat, to mimic the juicy texture of meat. Some brands, like Beyond Meat, have reduced their saturated fat content over time, while others like Impossible still contain higher amounts. A low saturated fat count is generally a healthier choice.
Sodium: Plant-based meats are often heavily seasoned to enhance flavor, which can result in very high sodium levels. This is a crucial metric to check, as some products can contain a significant portion of a person's daily recommended sodium intake in a single serving.
Protein Source: Protein content is often comparable to animal meat, but the source can differ. Some use soy or pea protein isolates, while cleaner-label options use whole foods like beans, lentils, and chickpeas. Protein isolates are an indicator of more intensive processing.
Processing Level: Many popular alternatives are ultra-processed foods (UPFs), with long ingredient lists containing unfamiliar names. The healthiest options are typically those with shorter, more recognizable ingredient lists, closer to a traditional veggie burger.

Healthiest Plant-Based Meat Brands: A Comparison

To help you decide, let's compare some of the most popular brands, dividing them into ultra-processed mimics and whole-food-based options.

Plant-Based Burger Health Comparison Table


Brand	Product	Protein (g)	Sat. Fat (g)	Sodium (mg)	Key Ingredients	Processing Level	Healthiest Feature
Beyond Meat	Beyond Burger (latest)	21	2	~330	Pea, brown rice, red lentil protein, avocado oil	Ultra-Processed	Lower saturated fat than competitors; Clean label focus
Impossible Foods	Impossible Burger	19	8	370	Soy protein, potato protein, coconut oil, heme	Ultra-Processed	Fortified with vitamins and minerals; Strong iron content
Dr. Praeger's	All American Drive-Thru Burger	10	0.5	260	Vegetables, soy protein, sweet potato, pea protein	Minimally Processed	Very low saturated fat and sodium; Cleaner ingredients
MorningStar Farms	MorningStar Grillers Original	16	1	320	Soy protein, wheat gluten	Minimally Processed	Good protein-to-fat ratio; Accessible and affordable
Actual Veggies	Black Bean Burger	6	0	240	Black beans, carrots, vegetables	Minimally Processed	Whole-food ingredients; High fiber; Very low sodium and fat

The Rise of Whole-Food Plant-Based Options

Brands that prioritize whole-food ingredients are gaining recognition for their superior health profiles. Instead of relying on protein isolates and refined oils, these products use legumes, grains, and vegetables as their foundation. Examples include:

Dr. Praeger's: Offers a range of products made from real vegetables and cleaner ingredient lists compared to ultra-realistic options.
Actual Veggies: Creates colorful veggie burgers based on whole ingredients like black beans, carrots, and kale, with low fat and sodium content.
Upton's Naturals: Specializes in jackfruit-based alternatives and seasoned seitan, offering low-fat, high-fiber options like BBQ jackfruit.
Big Mountain Foods: Utilizes whole vegetables and legumes like yellow split peas and carrots to create burgers and crumbles.

The Ultra-Processed Problem: Balancing Taste and Health

While highly processed plant-based meats offer a taste and texture remarkably similar to animal products, they come with a potential trade-off. They are manufactured using multiple industrial processes and often contain high levels of sodium and saturated fat from added oils like coconut oil. For some consumers, the health risks associated with ultra-processed foods may outweigh the benefits of reduced animal product consumption. Additives, fortifying ingredients, and the overall manufacturing process lead many nutritionists to recommend these as occasional treats rather than daily staples.

How to Spot a Healthier Option

Here are some tips to help you choose a healthier plant-based meat brand:

Scrutinize the Ingredients List: Look for shorter ingredient lists with familiar, whole-food components like beans, lentils, and vegetables. Avoid overly long lists with numerous additives.
Check the Saturated Fat: Always compare the saturated fat content between brands. Opt for products with the lowest amount, as some reformulated options are now competitive with lean animal meat.
Analyze the Sodium: Pay close attention to the sodium content per serving and choose brands that keep it in check.
Choose Less-Processed: If your primary goal is health, lean towards brands that produce simple, veggie-based patties over the hyper-realistic, ultra-processed meat mimics.

The Verdict: So Which Brand is Healthiest?

The answer to which plant-based meat brand is the healthiest depends on your priorities. For those seeking the closest replica to meat, brands like Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods have made impressive strides in taste and texture, but remain highly processed and can be high in sodium and saturated fat (in the case of Impossible). However, the latest Beyond Burger platform shows significant improvements in its nutritional profile, using avocado oil to reduce saturated fat.

For the most health-conscious consumers focused on whole foods, brands like Dr. Praeger's, Actual Veggies, and Upton's Naturals offer far less processed, lower-sodium, and lower-fat options based on whole vegetables and legumes. Ultimately, the healthiest choice is the one that aligns best with your dietary needs and goals, whether that's a whole-food patty or a nutritionally improved replica. For a deeper look into the nutritional composition of plant-based versus animal meats, one can review resources from health-focused organizations, such as the Consumer Reports analysis of plant-based meats.

Conclusion: Making the Right Plant-Based Choice

Choosing the healthiest plant-based meat is a nuanced decision that moves beyond simply comparing protein counts. While modern replicas offer an impressive approximation of traditional meat, their heavy processing, high sodium, and added saturated fats require a careful look at the nutrition label. For maximum health benefits, opt for whole-food-based alternatives that rely on simple, recognizable ingredients. By comparing brands on saturated fat, sodium, and ingredients, you can make an informed choice that supports your overall health goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Beyond and Impossible burgers are highly processed foods. While they offer benefits like no cholesterol and added vitamins, they can be high in saturated fat (particularly Impossible) and sodium, so they are best enjoyed in moderation rather than as a daily health food.

Beyond Meat's newest formulation (Beyond IV) contains significantly less saturated fat than the Impossible Burger, which uses coconut oil as a primary fat source. Beyond's updated products now use avocado oil to lower saturated fat content.

Yes, typically. Veggie burgers made from whole foods like beans, grains, and vegetables (such as those from Dr. Praeger's or Actual Veggies) are generally less processed, lower in sodium, and contain more fiber than the hyper-realistic meat mimics.

Manufacturers add salt and other seasonings to plant-based meats to enhance flavor and compensate for the differences in taste and texture compared to animal meat. This is a primary reason why many processed plant-based alternatives are high in sodium.

Heme is a molecule containing iron. Impossible Foods uses soy leghemoglobin, a protein derived from genetically engineered yeast, to replicate the iron-rich, 'bloody' taste and appearance of traditional meat.

Check the ingredients list for whole-food ingredients versus a long list of isolates and additives. Also, compare the saturated fat and sodium content per serving. A shorter list of recognizable ingredients is generally better for your health.

No. While many mainstream, meat-mimicking brands are classified as ultra-processed, numerous smaller brands and classic veggie burgers are much less processed, using whole vegetables, grains, and legumes instead of refined proteins and oils.