Nutritional profiling of plant‐based meat alternatives and ground beef

The objective of this study was to characterize the nutritional profile of plant-based meat alternatives (PBMA) and ground beef (GB). Beyond Beef (BEY); Impossible Burger (IMP), a third available product of plant-based protein, including SWEET EARTH, Incogmeato, Open Nature, and Good & Gather (GEN); and two lean levels of GB (regular [80%-85% lean, regular ground beef] and Lean [>93% lean, lean ground beef, LGB]) were purchased from retail stores across the United States. Proximate composition, mineral content, fatty acid profile, amino acid profile, and B-vitamin content were measured in raw products. Generally, PBMA had increased ash content which coincided with increased mineral concentration compared to GB, namely sodium, calcium, and zinc (p < 0.05). Similar trends were observed for B-vitamins. The fatty acid profile of IMP was primarily saturated due to lauric acid (12:0) and myristic acid (14:0) concentrations. Both BEY and GEN were highly unsaturated because of linoleic acid concentration (18:2n6). LGB possessed the greatest total amino acid concentration and total essential amino acid content (p < 0.05). Phenylalanine was increased in PBMA compared to GB (p < 0.05). Overall, these data show differences and similarities between the nutritional profile of PBMA and GB. However, the bioavailability of these nutrients and associated health outcomes, particularly in PBMA, require further investigation.