MEATLESS BURGERS

Meatless burgers are not just for vegetarians. New products designed to taste like meat appeal to planteaters and meat-eaters alike. Some who eat meatless burgers do so to protect the planet, while others avoid animal products to improve their health.As when making any nutrition decision,those who are considering meatless burgers can benefit from knowing how the nutrition profiles of these patties stack up. If you are replacing meat,poultry,fish or dairy with plant products, look for protein content. Most meatless burgers are a good source of protein, with some containing close to 20 grams of protein per 3- to 4-ounce patty.Try to choose patties with at least 10 grams of protein per serving.Because meatless burgers are processed, they can be a significant source of sodium, so be sure to select patties that have less than 400 milligrams per serving. Meatless burgers may also be high in saturated fat (from coconut oil), so look for options with less than 2.5 grams per serving.

by: BY LEA ANN HOLZMEISTER, RD, CDCE