Plant-Based Meat (Beyond Burger etc) - Thoughts?

spackbace on 14/02/2020 - 12:42
Last edited 14/02/2020 - 19:02

So by now I'm sure many have tried these from Grill'd, HJs, etc, but does anyone choose to buy them, and if so which do you prefer?

Beyond Burger Patties are currently $12 @ Coles, which is pretty pricey.
Woolworths has Next Gen2 Burger Patties for $7 (RRP $8) currently, which is far more palatable.
Are there others?

Has anyone tried the options available and what do you recommend?

A really good watch is Mark Rober's newest video on the subject

Oh, and let's have a poll!

How do you feel about plant-based meat?

Edit
Good to see an interesting conversation around it :) Have discovered that Choice has reviewed some of the options available, and scores seem on-trend with comments in here (looks like you should avoid the Alternative Meat Co Mince!). Might try the Next Gen2 Burgers this weekend and report back!

Poll Options

  • 258
    Haven't Tried Plant-Based Meat
  • 38
    Tried Plant-Based Meat, don't like it
  • 67
    Tried Plant-Based Meat, thought it was average
  • 212
    Tried Plant-Based Meat, like it
  • 36
    Tried Plant-Based Meat, continue to buy it
Food & Grocery

Comments

  • onetwothreefour on 14/02/2020 - 14:27
    +1

    I haven't tried any of the plant based "meats" but have spoken to my wife recently about going vego (not vegan) for one day a week so wouldn't be against trying this type of food. Although I do like vegetables and vegan food and think we should be healthier and think of the planet I don't ever see myself ever giving up meat and definitely wouldn't give up dairy food especially cheese!

    • [Deactivated] on 15/02/2020 - 12:58

      I'm in a similar boat to you, I went about halfway between vego and vegan but really missed cheese and occasional meat. Want to have less impact on the planet though.

      So, I just eat vego/vegan at home and when we go out I eat whatever. Shopping bill is much lower (meat is exxy man), generally eat pretty healthy and well at home, still get to eat yummy stuff that I get a craving for when we go out once a week or so.

  • FSTB on 14/02/2020 - 14:34
    +3

    Haven't tried, don't want to try and would rather the real thing.

    • spackbace on 14/02/2020 - 14:38
      +1

      don't want to try

      Any reason you wouldn't want to try a new thing?

      • FSTB on 14/02/2020 - 14:46
        +12

        I'm satisfied eating meat. I wouldn't buy a more expensive product pretending to be something it's not.

  • Skramit on 14/02/2020 - 15:13
    +1

    Haven't tried it and don't have any desire to, unless my financial circumstances dictate a change.

  • iampoor on 14/02/2020 - 15:28

    Tried it and pretty happy with it, having said that I would probably still stick to Chinese vegetarian food.

    The following is an interesting read if you are unaware how long the Chinese have been making mock meat https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/china-fake-meat-veget…

  • Oz8argain on 14/02/2020 - 15:43
    +1

    Tried one at Grill'd when it came out. Tasted absolutely horrible from the first bite. Maybe they just didn't do it properly or get the ingredients right. I wouldn't mind trying the one they had in the video! There's nothing wrong with reducing meat intake for the better of health and environment if there is no negative impact and taste the same. It's win win!

    it tasted like mushy beans with mashed potatoes

    • teacherer on 14/02/2020 - 18:40

      There's a 2nd Gen one out at grilled now.
      I've had neither

    • Milk tea on 16/02/2020 - 09:42

      It is better for the environment but these plant patties are definitely not better for your health compared to eating meat and I'm saying that as a vegetarian…these patties contain a lot of saturated fat, high in carbs and sodium and no heme iron.

  • netjock on 14/02/2020 - 15:49
    +2

    I've tried almost all of the substitutes. I wouldn't eat them (or meat) day in and day out. It is just bad for you. It is also not good for you financially considering the cost.

    • teacherer on 14/02/2020 - 18:40

      I think you'll find few are worse than meat. But they're about the same in the bad nutrition like saturated fat yes.

      • Milk tea on 16/02/2020 - 09:45

        Most of them contain a lot of sodium, higher saturated fat and refined carbohydrates compared to meat. It is better finding alternatives than believing that it's healthier to eat them in the first place.

  • ozhunter on 14/02/2020 - 17:09
    +2

    Only plant-based meat I have tried was The Alternative Mince and it was vile.

    Even if it were the same price and taste, I'd still eat meat. Also meat contains nutrients other than protein.

    • teacherer on 14/02/2020 - 18:41

      Watched the video? There's plenty more than protein in the impossible and bynd.
      Haven't tried that mince though

  • [Deactivated] on 14/02/2020 - 17:26
    +1

    Need option - some of it is good on its own merit (not as meat imitation), some of it is terrible.

  • try2bhelpful on 14/02/2020 - 17:41
    +3

    For people who are in Melbourne, meat eaters and vegetarians, I would point you towards the $3 burgers at Naked for Satan. They do meat, fried chicken, mushroom and, particularly, the $3 OKONOMIYAKI Burger
    A fried pancake of Potato, Cabbage, and Egg, topped with Pink Pickled Ginger, Sesame Roasted Nori, and Japanese Mayo!

    The drinks aren’t cheap, cheap but it is a fabulous space. You need a bit of an open mind there are pictures of naked men, and women, in places. Sort of pinups with bits showing but not really porno. Buy a drink and a burger.
    Deal is Sunday’s to Wednesday’s. .

    • [Deactivated] on 14/02/2020 - 17:53

      you need a bit of an open mind there are pictures of naked men, and women, in places. Sort of pinups with bits showing but not really porno.

      Do they still sell their 90cents oysters downstairs?

      • try2bhelpful on 14/02/2020 - 18:02
        +1

        Don’t know, I don’t eat oysters. Not really my thing :). The pictures are mostly 50s and 60s pinups and, with one picture in particular, she must’ve been removing sand for a good few days.

        The upstairs bit is doing some cheapie lunches, as well; so I must have a look up there. (Said in my best “Carry On” Voice”).

        • [Deactivated] on 14/02/2020 - 18:17

          don’t eat oysters. Not really my thing

          They had a sign advertising their oysters last time we were there and for some reason I thought it was hilarious . I was also amused by their offer of a signed copy of their naked book. It must be my dirty mind :)

          • try2bhelpful on 14/02/2020 - 19:05
            +1

            @[Deactivated]: With the pictures on the wall you don’t need a dirty mind. Oysters just remind me of lasses with comfortable shoes, for some reason :).

    • Zedsdeadbabyzedsdead on 16/02/2020 - 05:21

      Oh dear…

  • Meho2026 on 14/02/2020 - 17:41
    +5

    A lot of these plant based products are just another big deceptive marketing campaign.
    A plant based way of eating has grown to the extent there's big money to made.
    The supermarkets have figured it out.
    The fast food restaurants are onto it because they have to be, their whole menus used to be based completely on processed animal products. If we stop eating that, they are in trouble.
    Theres enough people adopting plant based eating now to really matter.

    There has always been a vegan movement concerned about animal welfare but there are others who do not identify as vegan changing their behaviour.
    People conscious of the climate and resources used in getting meat and dairy on our plate and people eating for health reasons with a food is medicine concept.

    Its really important to understand that almost all of the evidence supporting the health benefits of a plant based diet is specific to a "whole food plant based" (WFPB) way of eating.
    Thats no oil, no sugar, no salt, no processed food.

    Thats not always made clear by docos like Game Changers and it confuses people into thinking eating any plant based products is beneficial to our health.

    Plant based meat might use less water and save animals but its often just as bad/worse for you than processed meat.

    The ingredient list of all those fake meat products is obviously not healthy.
    It is possible to make home made WFPB burgers but they wont taste or look like meat.

    There are some plant based burgers in the supermarkets that are healthier than others.
    Woollies Macro brand, if you check the ingredient list and compare to Beyond Burgers its clear
    https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/730682/mac…

    Coles have got their own brand ones that are similar too.

    I reckon if you are going to eat a plant based diet, eating fake meat products is not healthy. It can be useful to people who want to transition from meat to eating plant based.

    Its a psychological thing, remove the meat from our plate and replace it with a meat substitute. we dont need to do it like that.

    There has been whole industries encouraging us to eat meat and dairy for decades partly encouraged by governments protecting agricultural economies.
    Doctors and dieticians are trained to reinforce it too.
    Globally, countries have abandoned traditional diets for western, high consumption meat and dairy diets.
    That has been going on for so long that there now enough evidence to suggest our diet is responsible for diseases that kill us and the amount of resources used in the production is probably killing the planet.

    Everyone needs to consider these things but we should be mindful of big business tricking us into eating crap.

    • pawsd on 15/02/2020 - 23:42
      -2

      The only way plant based meat is as bad for you than meat is at macro-nutritional levels. The number one cause of death in Australia is heart disease which is primarily caused by high cholesterol from red meat. As Plant based meat naturally has no cholesterol it will always be a beneficial switch from traditional red meats.

      You are correct in saying the evidence supporting all the plant based health benefits is from a whole food based however these products are a good transitioning tool to this diet. Having people swap out red meat to plant based meat will save lives from heart disease and the various cancers associated with red meat consumption despite it being a "processed" food.

  • [Deactivated] on 14/02/2020 - 17:49
    +2

    The fake meat at my local woolies is almost always reduced for quick sale and I still don't buy it. My kids have a healthy suspicion of any food that tries to masquerade as something that it's not. The only 'meaty' veggie that my daughter likes are mushrooms and jackfruit.

    • ozhunter on 14/02/2020 - 18:41
      +2

      The fake meat at my local woolies is almost always reduced for quick sale and I still don't buy it.

      Same lol

      My siblings bought this months ago after deciding to try going vegan for 30 days. https://imgur.com/a/ceuxXjs
      After we all gave it a try, none of us wanted it and it's been in the deep freezer for months ever since.

    • [Deactivated] on 14/02/2020 - 20:55
      +4

      Smart kids.

  • teacherer on 14/02/2020 - 17:59
    +5

    A lot of the fake meat sucks but the stuff that is good is really good.
    Weell worth it to stop a lifetime of misery

    • spackbace on 14/02/2020 - 18:03

      but the stuff that is good is really good.

      What have you tried that's good?

      • [Deactivated] on 14/02/2020 - 18:20
        +4

        What's with your sudden interest in eating 'clean', Spack? Are you dating a vegan or are you going through a mid-life crisis? :P

        • spackbace on 14/02/2020 - 18:32
          +1

          Oh trust me, I don't eat healthy lol

          I just like trying different things, and exposing the kids to that. They come from a caucasian home, but will happily scoff down sushi etc. They also get healthy eating drilled into them at school

          I might only have them 10% of the time, but I like to think I can be a positive influence on them

          • [Deactivated] on 14/02/2020 - 19:13

            @spackbace: IMHO, the best way to teach kids about eating right is to get them into the kitchen to prepare healthy meals together. Cooking is a valuable life skill which will teach them about nutrition and food safety, as well as building maths, science, literacy and fine motor skills. It is also a good bonding opportunity with your children.

            If they like sushi, maybe try this rice paper wrap. My 3-year likes to add tuna when we make it.

      • teacherer on 14/02/2020 - 18:37
        +1

        Beyond beef has been fantastic but they stopped selling it where I live.
        The fry's chicken patty's are okay.
        Lord of the fries was unbelievable, I don't know what they use, moo free burgers who I think use beyond beef. Burger urge is great. Haven't gotten around to the vegan grilled yet.
        I've yet to find impossible meat.
        Meat free Mondays is a great idea for the planet.

  • rgr on 14/02/2020 - 18:03
    +2

    it tastes like shit and is full of soy

  • trapper on 14/02/2020 - 18:37
    +1

    There is no such thing as "plant based meat", it does not exist.

    Pretend meat.

    • teacherer on 14/02/2020 - 18:38
      +1

      How? The main constituent is usually pea protein or soy protein (plant)

      • trapper on 14/02/2020 - 18:54
        +2

        Meat is animal flesh.

        You can not make any kind of meat by mixing plants together.

        • teacherer on 14/02/2020 - 18:59
          +1

          Ah yep. My bad. Read the plant based part.
          Hows 'plant based mince/patty' for ya

    • funnysht on 14/02/2020 - 18:55
      +1

      Yes. Chemistry teacher.

    • [Deactivated] on 16/02/2020 - 11:24

      A bit like vegan leather when 'leather' literally means a material made from the skin of an animal.

    • ozhunter on 14/02/2020 - 18:53
      -1

      Were you calling a person that or is that your nickname for plant based meat? I remember seeing vegan deals posted by mods so they personally could be pro-vegan.

    • funnysht on 14/02/2020 - 18:54
      +5

      I think you got banned from ozb for writing bullshit.

      The facts:

      https://www.vox.com/2015/12/9/9879230/soy-milk-man-boobs-gyn…

      • netjock on 14/02/2020 - 20:48
        -1

        Correct. Internet is full of people who are quick fingers posting inaccuracies. They need a quick Google filter.

      • [Deactivated] on 14/02/2020 - 22:57

        Soy oil is probably the only real concern https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4511588/
        This study suggested fat composition as the issue but the results also mimic effects you would get from estrogen. There are conflicting studies which would indicate to me some soy foods are healthy and others are not.

  • paraneoplastic on 14/02/2020 - 19:47
    +5

    Yeah i've been thinking about at least substituting 25 - 50% of my meat consumption with a plant based protein - at the end of the day, that's why most people eat meats, to get protein.

    When you think about, animals bred and raised for the purpose of slaughter, and forced to live restricted lives for the sake of effiency, is a (profanity) up concept. As is the milk industry, but i've managed to cut down on milk intake as there's alternatives readily available which are palatable - albeit a bit nutty.

    For the people on here crying OP is trying to promote veganism, i don't think it is, rather OP has a conscience.

    • tomleonhart on 15/02/2020 - 00:56
      +1

      Bullsh*t. No car salesman has a conscience. 😆😆😆

      @spackbace

  • anzacpaul on 14/02/2020 - 20:27

    Plant nation stuff in SA is fantastic.

    It tastes like "cheap" meat (ie cheap rissoles/sausages).

    I rate it, but it is quite expensive (6 snags or 10 patties are 10 bucks)

  • AustriaBargain on 14/02/2020 - 21:01

    I prefer meat. But if others want the plant based meat that's great, meat uses a lot of water, requires a lot of land for feed, and meat farts out a lot of gasses by the time it reaches the slaughterhouse. The less meat other people consume the better off the world will be.

    • ozhunter on 14/02/2020 - 21:11
      +1

      and meat farts out a lot of gasses

      I think it's called a cow.

    • SBOB on 14/02/2020 - 21:22

      and meat farts out a lot of gasses by the time it reaches the slaughterhouse

      Majority of methane comes out of their mouths actually ;)

  • Numlock on 14/02/2020 - 21:35

    IMpossible Burger from popular California restaurants. Best plant-based burger ever..

  • lette on 14/02/2020 - 21:42
    +1

    Fake sausage and egg muffin from lord of the fries is fricken amazing. Not so much into the supermarket vegan stuff. I am a meat eater but like to try new things and have always loved meat substitutes from China town.
    Also quick easy vegan mayo is 1 part soy uht soy milk 2 parts oil both at same temperature + any mayo flavourings you add. Make as usual. I've been using it for years in restaurants because it doesn't contain raw egg and is safer. Tastes exactly the same, if not better. It molds green when it goes off so easily identifiable if your someone who forgets fridge items. Globus brand Pickle juice, tomato sauce and mustard make a great basis for fake big Mac sauce.

  • skid on 14/02/2020 - 22:15

    My meals used to consist of 25% veg. I gradually increased that to 33% and now 50%. Maybe I might reach 75% at which point I would be consuming 3 times the volume of vegetables that I used to. Now imagine my diet was a typical diet. Could we grow vegetables fast enough for humans to consume triple what they used to? Would we really be saving the planet? I refuse to eat grass - the land will be used to grow certain popular types of edible plants, pulling an unbalanced mix of nutrients from the ground.

    • Antikythera on 14/02/2020 - 23:58
      +2

      i'm a meat eater but pretty sure your concerns are invalid. meat takes multiple times more water, land use and nutrient per calorie than vegetables.

  • design2last on 14/02/2020 - 23:18

    If you have tried Beyond burgers and have been turned off by them please try Impossible burgers when they are widely available in Australia. They are SO much better than Beyond meat imo.

  • darkchoc on 14/02/2020 - 23:40
    +1

    I prefer veggie patties, bean burgers, and falafel type than the fake meat burgers.

    But I really do like the Singapore/Taiwanese/Chinese mock meat alternatives. The flavours work really well!

  • hexedhavoc on 15/02/2020 - 00:08

    Tried the burger from HJ today and enjoyed it. When prices come down due to scale I will happily make the switch from beef :)

  • tomleonhart on 15/02/2020 - 00:52

    I haven't tried it. But recent year I have cut down my meat consumption by quiet a lot and I feel much lighter and better(combine with exercising of course). With that experience, I can only think of these meat substitute as a good thing. Still enjoy a steak here and there though. Yum.

  • FittyFitty on 15/02/2020 - 04:33
    -2

    OP, you need another option: Haven't Tried Plant-Based Meat, Don't Like It

    (No such thing as plant-based meat, btw…)

  • Vote for Pedro on 15/02/2020 - 07:45
    +5

    I love the “it’s not meat” crowd.

    I mean seriously, why do you care? If you don’t like it don’t buy it. If the market doesn’t exist for it then they will stop making it.

    It reminds me of the anti reality tv complainers. They watch it so they can complain about it. Stop watching it.

    • FittyFitty on 16/02/2020 - 02:29

      OP asked "How do you feel about plant-based meat?" and people answered.

      Now, while there is such succulence as grass-fed beef, there is no such thing as "plant-based meat". Matter of biology really…

      • Vote for Pedro on 16/02/2020 - 10:29
        +1

        But why do you care? Seriously, what’s the big deal?

        • ozhunter on 16/02/2020 - 15:01

          Maybe because oxymorons can be annoying, confusing, and deceptive lol. In this case its used as a marketing tactic for sure.

          • Vote for Pedro on 16/02/2020 - 15:05
            +1

            @ozhunter:

            In this case its used as a marketing tactic for sure

            Of course it is.

            Notwithstanding, the vitriol coming from the “it’s not meat” crowd seems to suggest something a little more to it.

            If you don’t like it, don’t buy it.

            • ozhunter on 16/02/2020 - 15:26

              @Vote for Pedro:

              Notwithstanding, the vitriol coming from the “it’s not meat” crowd seems to suggest something a little more to it.

              I guess people don't like the deception it has to it(in the name and the design). It's not like you give someone a beef lasagne, when it actually has no beef but pork instead. Both beef and pork are meat products.

              It's like(if you could) give a vegan/vegetarian a meat-based salad.

              • Vote for Pedro on 16/02/2020 - 16:07
                +1

                @ozhunter: Here’s the thing. I don’t believe you that your whole point is that it’s “deception”. I know, that’s a big call on my part.

                The ingredient list is not hidden in such a way to suggest animal based product is used. It’s obvious what it is. So I’m politely calling bullsh*t on your position.

                I reckon you’re probably just anti anyone who “doesn’t do things the old fashioned way like we used to in the good ol’ days when a man could be a man and a woman knew her place and we didn’t have to worry about political correctness and offending millennial snowflakes”

                • ozhunter on 16/02/2020 - 16:37

                  @Vote for Pedro:

                  I don’t believe you that your whole point is that it’s “deception”

                  Just my theory lol. What's yours?

                  The ingredient list is not hidden in such a way to suggest animal based product is used

                  I never said it was, but it is using terminology involving "meat" when it's commonly understood to be something else.

                  So I’m politely calling bullsh*t on your position.

                  As long as it's done politely, it's ok?

                  I reckon you’re probably just anti anyone who “doesn’t do things the old fashioned

                  Clearly struck a nerve here. But yea, generally people don't seem to care when it's little things like almond milk or peanut butter.

                  • Vote for Pedro on 16/02/2020 - 16:47

                    @ozhunter: But ‘meat’ is your line in the sand? Seriously dude!

                    Let the market decide.

                    Just a bunch of snowflake boomers complaining about nothing much at all.

                    • ozhunter on 16/02/2020 - 16:51

                      @Vote for Pedro:

                      But ‘meat’ is your line in the sand?

                      Me, personally? No

                      But others take it very seriously in whether they eat animal-based products or not.

                      • Vote for Pedro on 16/02/2020 - 16:54

                        @ozhunter: Oh ffs. You’re one of the “I don’t take offence, but…” crowd.

                        • ozhunter on 16/02/2020 - 19:21

                          @Vote for Pedro: Not sure why you getting so worked up. I'm just trying to answer a question you asked.

                          The term plant-based meat is purely used to be misleading and deceptive.

                          It's like if you go to a meat only party(LOL) and then everyone just brings all these plant-based alternatives.

                          eg. red truck is still a truck if you remove the adjective. "Plant-based meat" is not meat with or without the adjective.

                          I mean, we could always redefine the term "meat" to include plants but then it just becomes confusing and meaningless. Not like it hasn't been done before.

                          It seems you know and understand why people are annoyed at the terminology, yet you continue to be frustrated by it.

                          • Vote for Pedro on 16/02/2020 - 21:16

                            @ozhunter: So worked up about all these possibilities that will never eventuate or have any impact on your life. Use some common sense (which appears not so common these days). Get off it. Seriously.

  • TheGiantTomato on 15/02/2020 - 09:22
    +5

    This thread is hilarious. So many people scared of a product that they don't eat. Never change, OzBargain.

    • Cluster on 15/02/2020 - 12:47
      +3

      Well, I wouldn't say people are 'scared' of the product. Just like 'homophobia' is an incorrect term. 'Homo-hatred' is far more accurate.

      • FittyFitty on 16/02/2020 - 02:33

        Can't generalise; some of us are repulsed by what is fundamentally a gross transgression against the physiology of man, in the insertion of sexual organs into gastro-intestinal tracts, by virtue of desire.

        • Vote for Pedro on 16/02/2020 - 15:07

          God told me so????

          • LFO on 16/02/2020 - 17:04

            @Vote for Pedro: No, the proctologist says so.
            All of them.
            Categorical.

          • FittyFitty on 16/02/2020 - 21:22
            -1

            @Vote for Pedro: Gray's Anatomy actually.

            • Vote for Pedro on 16/02/2020 - 21:32

              @FittyFitty: Another petal offended for the sake of being offended. Neither faux meat nor same sex relationships will have any effect on you. But here we are, you being offended or ‘repulsed’ simply for the sake of it.

              What is this world coming to? Seems like boomers just have no resilience.

              • FittyFitty on 16/02/2020 - 22:43

                @Vote for Pedro: Mate, the only offended pest in this thread is you; I just call a spade a spade…

  • DarkOz on 15/02/2020 - 09:27

    I really don't get the concept of plant based meat for the people that don't want meat. Stop calling it meat when it is not meat and that you don't want meat.

    • Vote for Pedro on 15/02/2020 - 09:30
      +1

      See two comments up

    • Herbse on 15/02/2020 - 10:49
      +1

      It's a market tool.

      Just like Almond milk isn't "milk", chicken burgers aren't "burgers".

      More people will buy it if it's relatable to something the already consume

  • Speckled Jim on 15/02/2020 - 10:24
    +1

    Lab-grown meat will render this argument a quaint pee-stop on the way to ethically sustainable meat.
    The current hitch is the fetal bovine serum they need to do it. And the price.

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