After cracking the elusive code of how to make plants taste like delicious, juicy burgers, the advent of plant-based meat is in full swing. The Impossible Burger and the Beyond Burger are currently leading the charge for burger enthusiasts yearning for something that tastes like the real thing without all of the inherent drawbacks of a beef patty. As a heart specialist in Tampa, Jesal V. Popat, M.D., FACC, is on the forefront of heart-related treatments, including those that utilize plant-based diets and lifestyle modification to help treat the patient as a whole. The burger might be a staple of American cuisine, but it’s by no means a staple of heart health; at least, this used to be the case. 

 

In this article, we’ll explain how plant-based meat is being utilized to help patients improve their heart health while treating them to a delicious, guilt-free meal. If you’re in need of heart care in Tampa that doesn’t rely on overmedication to yield measurable results, consult Dr. Popat.

The Goal of Plant-Based Burgers

The initial acclaim for plant-based burgers had little to do with nutrition. In fact, one of the primary goals of the plant-based meat industry is to wean people off animal protein by giving them an alternative that looks and tastes almost identical to the real thing. The Impossible Burger, the Beyond Burger, and all of the other plant-based burgers that are making waves in the food industry are being marketed as a way to save the Earth by doing away with the “prehistoric” concept of animal-based protein. As you will see below, these meatless alternatives are succeeding in some areas while struggling in others.

Transitioning Into a Plant-Based Diet

One common knock against plant-based diets is the lack of protein, but any person who maintains a plant-based diet can explain that this is simply a myth. This notion is further debunked by the high protein content of plant-based burgers. These burgers were developed to be a doppelganger of the real thing, which means they contain an excellent source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. However, unlike a beef burger, plant-based burgers derive protein from soy, peas, mung beans, and the like. Some of these plant-based burgers also feature vitamin additives, such as vitamin B12 and zinc, which can be hard to come by on a plant-based diet. 

 

According to Harvard Health Publishing, “plant compounds such as phytic acid bind to minerals, which can increase requirements of zinc by 50% and may necessitate consuming about two times as much iron.” Plant-based burgers play an important role in mitigating these dietary deficiencies. Even black bean burgers, which admittedly don’t taste like real burgers, pack a solid source of nutrients. That said, the most exciting aspect of plant-based burgers is how they make healthy diets accessible to those who have never considered a plant-based diet. In the fight against heart disease, these plant-based alternatives have opened up countless people to the heart-related benefits of a plant-based diet.

 

While plant-based burgers aren’t the panacea for heart disease, they may help patients transition into a plant-based diet that supports their overall heart health. Making significant changes to your lifestyle and diet isn’t easy, but it’s a wonderful way to receive heart care in Tampa without the need for excessive medication and the side effects that accompany them.

To consult Jesal V. Popat, M.D., FACC, a heart specialist in Tampa, please call (813) 344-0934 or fill out our contact form to request an appointment.

 

Disclaimer: The contents of this website are for general educational purposes only. All content and media on the Jesal V. Popat, M.D., FACC website does not constitute professional medical advice nor is the information intended to replace the services of Jesal V. Popat, M.D., FACC or other qualified medical professionals. If you believe you are having a medical emergency, call 911 immediately. 

 

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