Beyond Meat Just Revamped Some of Their Products, But Are They Healthier? Here's What a Dietitian Thinks

Incorporating more plant-based foods into your eating pattern can offer up many health benefits like better nutrition, a healthier heart and lowered risk of chronic disease. However, there is a common misconception that “plant-based” is synonymous with “healthier,” which may not always be the case. This has resulted in some controversy over meat alternatives.

Addressing some of the concerns associated with vegan “meats”, Beyond Meat, one of the most popular plant-based brands, is soon releasing their newest formula for their line of “beef” products. From a shorter, more simplified ingredient list to changes on the nutrition label, the company claims to have improved the meat alternative on many fronts. But you might be wondering whether these changes are really that significant.

EatingWell’s senior nutrition editor and nutrition expert Maria Laura Haddad-Garcia weighed in on the changes to Beyond Beef and whether they’re truly healthy improvements. Read on for her take on the alterations to the plant-based beef alternative.

Beyond Beef’s Nutrition and Ingredient Changes

More Plant-Based Protein

One of the first changes you’ll notice in the new Beyond Beef is a few differences in the ingredients list. Currently, the majority of the protein comes from peas and rice. With the new release, the company says it will be adding protein from other nutrient-dense foods like red lentil and fava bean. This may make the item more viable as a protein source for a plant-based eating pattern. 

According to Haddad-Garcia, “You can definitely get enough protein from plant-based foods, such as legumes, nuts and seeds. The key is making sure you vary the foods to get all the essential amino acids needed. While the protein content didn't change much—just amped up 1 gram per serving—it's a high-protein option that will help you feel satisfied for longer.”

Heart-Healthy Nutrition

The brand has also made  a change in the cooking oil they use. The new Beyond Beef will use avocado oil to replace the current coconut oil and canola oil, making it easier to cook at high temperatures (and on the grill).

In terms of nutrition, Haddad-Garcia said, “The new formula of the plant-based ground Beyond Beef significantly reduced the saturated fat by 60%, coming down to 2 grams per serving, and the sodium by 20%. In addition to being an appealing option for people who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet, this product can also be a heart-healthy option, especially for those managing a cardiovascular condition like high blood pressure due to these reductions. It can also be a nice meat-alternative option for people with type 2 diabetes or folks who are just looking for ways to reduce their meat intake.”

New Certifications

The new Beyond Beef is also meeting a few new nutritional and safety guidelines. This includes the standards of the American Diabetes Association’s Better Choices for Life program and a set of “heart-healthy recipes certified by the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check program,” according to the press release. In addition, the plant-based ground meat alternative has been Clean Label Project Certified, meaning it complies with Clean Label’s purity standards for “chemicals of concern including heavy metals, pesticide residues, and plasticizers.”

The Bottom Line

Beyond Meat just announced the release of their newest plant-based Beyond Beef products, including the Beyond Burger patties.

Customers will see changes in the product’s ingredient list and nutrition label that may have benefits for those following a plant-based eating pattern and may also support heart health.

No exact release date was released, but the Beyond Beef and Beyond Burger items are expected to be in grocery stores nationwide starting this spring. In the meantime, you might want to make some delicious, homemade plant-based beef and burger recipes. Try flavorful dishes like our Beefless Vegan Tacos and Vegan Black Bean Burgers—they’re highly rated for a reason!

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