Unmasking Ultra Processed Foods: Your Essential Guide to Plant-Based Burgers
We all shop in supermarkets inundated with ultra processed foods that we are told to avoid. This warning overload leaves many of us paralyzed with indecision. Every day, new research bombards us with the dangers of these foods, adding to the confusion and frustration. With countless supermarket items falling into the ultra processed category, making healthier choices without cooking every meal from scratch feels impossible.?
Enter the WISEcode app - a game changer in this chaotic landscape. This innovative app allows consumers to scan products and instantly discover their processing levels, providing a straightforward way to make informed and healthier choices. Misleading front-of-package marketing no longer needs to leave shoppers perplexed about what they are really consuming.
The ultra processed food epidemic in the United States is a growing concern, with consumers increasingly worried about the negative impacts on their diets. Evaluating these foods is no easy feat, thanks to limited data, vague definitions, and the difficulty of comparing processing methods. But with WISEcode, making more informed choices has never been simpler.
Plant-Based Burger Rankings
Our team hit supermarkets nationwide with the WISEcode app to evaluate 73 plant-based burgers. The results are in! Discover which burgers are champions of minimal process and which ones might need a serious rethink.
Minimalist Magic - The Fab Five Least Processed Plant-Based Burgers:
1. Four way Tie for First Place:
?5. Dr. Praeger's Classic Veggie Burgers Minimally Processed, 1
Three standout brands lead the WISEcode Fab 5—Actual Veggies, Amy’s Kitchen, and Go Veggies—each tied for the #1 spot in our evaluation of the least processed plant-based burgers. These recipe minimalists excel by using simple, whole ingredients without unnecessary additives or fillers. Actual Veggies particularly impressed, securing two products at the very top of our rankings.
Dr. Praeger’s, a well-known name in the plant-based world, also performed exceptionally well, with its Classic Veggie Burgers securing the final spot in the WISEcode Fab 5 least processed plant-based burgers.
Ten more brands strutted into the top cohort of Minimally Processed plant-based burgers: Publix Super Markets Greenwise, Hilary’s, Worthington, Earth Grown, Erewhon , Atlantic Sea Farms , Open Acres, Hodo , Sprouts Farmers Market , and Whole Foods Market .
Notably, four private label brands powered into this elite group. While it may not come as a surprise that Whole Foods, Sprouts, and the upscale Los Angeles retailer Erewhon met their brand expectations, the dark horse winner is Publix, which matched strides with these natural food powerhouses.
Atlantic Sea Farms stood out alongside Actual Veggies and Amy’s Kitchen, each boasting two offerings in the minimally processed category. This top tier features a diverse array of products, including kale, sea veggie, and black bean burgers. This trend highlights a shift towards more health-conscious formulations, prioritizing natural, plant-based components over heavily processed alternatives.
Excess Exposed: The Notorious Nine Most Processed Plant-Based Burgers:
1. Before the Butcher Plant Based Burger: Super Ultra Processed, 19
2. Morningstar Farms Spicy Black Bean Veggie Burgers, Super Ultra Processed, 18
3. Bubba Burgers Latin Grill Veggie, Super Ultra Processed, 17
4. Stuffed Foods Quinoa Veggie Burger: Super Ultra Processed, 16
5.? Two Way Tie for 5th Place:
7. Wegmans Food Markets Don’t Have a Cow Meatless Beef Style Burger, Ultra Processed, 11
8.? Two Way Tie for 8th Place:
In an alarming turn for a brand aiming to lead in plant-based innovation, Before the Butcher takes the unwanted crown for the most processed plant-based burger, landing atop the Notorious Nine with its Super Ultra Processed plant-based burger. Morningstar’s Black Bean Burger takes the dubious distinction of the #2 slot in our rankings.?
Not far behind, Bubba Burger’s Latin Grill Veggie Burger and Stuffed Foods Quinoa Veggie Burger join the ranks of the Super Ultra Processed burgers, making it clear that high processing is a significant issue in this space.
Beyond Meat, a market giant, sees its Beyond Burger slip into the Ultra Processed category, marking an unfortunate spot in the bottom rankings. Alongside it, Rebellyous Foods’ Plant-Based Patties shares the same Ultra Processing categorization.?
Notably, Bubba Burger earns unenviable recognition as the only brand with two products in the Notorious Nine, with its Veggie Burger joining its Latin Grill Veggie Burger in the bottom ranks. Wegmans and Full Circle round out the ultra processed burger group, highlighting the need for consumers to be vigilant about their plant-based choices.
Popular brands like Open Acres, Simple Truth, and Lightlife did not fare well either. These brands, despite their popularity, often have long ingredient lists filled with additives and preservatives, placing them high in processing categories.
Interestingly, despite quinoa’s reputation as a health food, two quinoa-based burgers ended up in the bottom rankings. This underscores that trendy ingredients don’t always equate to minimally processed products.
Mega brand Impossible just avoided entry into the Notorious Nine, which is notable given its reputation and marketing as a healthier meat alternative. Even well-known brands like Tofurky and Boca had products categorized as “Moderately Processed,” demonstrating that popularity and brand recognition do not necessarily guarantee a lower level of processing. This emphasizes the importance of looking beyond the brand and closely examining product ingredients and processing levels
With such a wide range of processing levels in plant-based burgers, it’s crucial to know what is in your foods. By providing insights into food processing, WISEcode empowers consumers to make more informed choices.?
For those looking to delve deeper, the WISEcode app allows you to scan products and instantly learn their processing levels, making informed choices in the supermarket easier than ever. Stay tuned for more insights as we continue to unravel the complexities of our food supply and champion healthier eating.
Full List of Plant-Based Burgers from Least to Most Processed
Minimally Processed
Tie - 1 Actual Veggies Super Greens Veggie Burger: Minimally Processed, 0
Tie - 1 Actual Veggies Black Bean Veggie Burger, Minimally Processed, 0
Tie - 1 Amy’s Kitchen Sonoma Veggie Burger, MInimally Processed, 0
Tie - 1? Go Veggies Veggie Burger Variety Pack: Minimally Processed, 0
5 Dr. Praeger’s Classic Veggie Burgers Minimally Processed, 1
Tie - 6 Publix’s Greenwise Garden Veggie Burger: Minimally Processed, 2
Tie - 6 Hilary’s Eat Well Adzuki Bean Burger: Minimally Processed, 2
Tie - 6 Amy’s Kitchen Organic California Veggie Burger, Minimally Processed, 2
Tie - 6? Earth Grown Kale Veggie Burger: Minimally Processed, 2
Tie - 6? Worthington Vegetarian Burger: Minimally Processed, 2
Tie - 6? Erewhon Organic Veggie Patty (gf): Minimally Processed, 2
Tie - 6? Atlantic Sea Farms Ginger Sesame Sea-veggie Burger: Minimally Processed, 2
Tie - 6? Atlantic Sea Farms Basil Pesto Sea-veggie Burger: Minimally Processed, 2
Tie - 6? Open Acres Garden Veggie Salmon Burger: Minimally Processed, 2
Tie - 6? Hodo Tofu Veggie Burger, Minimally Processed, 2
Tie - 6? Sprouts Southwest Black Bean Veggie Burger, Minimally Processed, 2
Tie - 17 Big Mountain Lion’s Mane Mushroom Burger, Minimally Processed, 3
Tie - 17 Abbot’s Plant Rich Whole Burger, Minimally Processed, 3
Lightly Processed
Tie - 19? Don Lee Farms Black Bean Chipotle Burgers,: Lightly Processed, 4
领英推荐
Tie - 19? Laura’s Organic Plant-based Burgers: Lightly Processed, 4
Tie - 19? Shop Rite’s Wholesome Pantry California Veggie Burgers, Lightly Processed 4
Tie - 19? Trader Joe's Quinoa Cowboy Veggie Burger, Lightly Processed, 4
Tie - 19? Wild Harvest Black Bean Chipotle Veggie Burgers: Lightly Processed, 4
Tie - 19? Green Way Natural Burger, Black Bean Chipotle: Lightly Processed, 4
Tie - 19? Full Circle Market California Style Veggie Classic Veggie Patty Lightly Processed , 4
Tie - 19? ALDI USA Earth Grown Quinoa Crunch Veggie Burgers, Lightly Processed, 4
Tie - 19? Laura’s Organic Plant-based Burgers: Lightly Processed, 4
Tie - 19? Future Farm Future Burger, Lightly Processed 4
Tie - 19? Green Way Natural Burger, Black Bean Chipotle: Lightly Processed, 4
Tie - 30? Morningstar Farms Garden Veggie Burgers: Lightly Processed, 5
Tie - 30 NotCo Plant Based Burger, Lightly Processed, 5
Tie - 30? Trader Joe's, Vegetable Masala Burger With Authentic Indian Spices, Lightly Processed, 5
Tie - 30? gardein? Ultimate Falafel Burger, Lightly Processed, 5
Tie - 30? Full Circle Market Southwestern Style Chipotle Black Bean Patty, Lightly Processed, 5
Tie - 30? Amy’s Kitchen Organic Black Bean Veggie Burger, Lightly Process 5
Tie - 36? Lightlife, Plant Based Burger, Moderately Processed, 6
Tie - 36? Sprouts Original Griller Veggie Burger, Moderately Processed, 6
Tie - 36? UnMeat Meat-free Luncheon Burger, Lightly Processed, 6
Tie - 36? Snap Kitchen Veggie Burger: Lightly Processed, 6
Tie - 36? Sweet Earth Awesome Burger: Lightly Processed, 6
Tie - 36? Field Roast Chef's Signature Plant-based Burgers Patties, Moderately Processed, 6
Tie - 36? Wegmans Plant Based Burgers, Lightly Processed, 6
Moderately Processed
Tie - 43? Franklin Farms Mediterranean Plant-based Burger: Moderately Processed, 7
Tie - 43? Ozo Plant Based Burgers, Moderately Processed, 7
TIe - 43? Quorn Meatless Chiqin Patties, Moderately Processed, 7
Tie - 43? Giant Food/Ahold Nature’s Promise Vegetable Burger: Moderately Processed, 7
Tie - 43? Dr. Praeger’s Crunchy Cauliflower Veggie Burger: Moderately Processed, 7
Tie - 43? Kroger Simple Truth? Vegan Meatless Burger Patties. Moderately Processed, 7
Tie - 43? Akua Plant Based Lemon & Herb Burger: Moderately Processed, 7
Tie - 43? 365 By Whole Foods Market, Plant-based Burger Patties, Moderately Processed, 7
Tie - 43? Ozo Plant Based Burgers: Moderately Processed, 7
Tie - 43? Beyond Meat Stack Burger: Moderately Processed, 7
Tie - 43? Gardein Gluten Free Chipotle Black Bean Burger, Moderately Processed, 7
Tie - 43? Gardein Gluten Free Chipotle Black Bean Burger, Moderately Processed 7
Tie - 43? Simple Truth Vegan Meatless Burger Patties, Moderately Processed, 7
Tie - 56? Boca Veggie Burger: Moderately Processed, 8
Tie - 56? Tofurky Plant Based Burgers:Moderately Processed, 8
Tie - 56? Wellsley Farms Quinoa Veggie Burger, Quinoa, Super Ultra Processed, 8
Tie - 56? Impossible Foods Plant Based Patty, 5.33 Ounce: Moderately Processed, 8
Tie - 56 ?Green Way Garden Veggie Burger, Moderately Processed, 8
Tie - 56? Gardein Ultimate Plant Based Burger, Moderately Processed, 8
Tie - 62 ?Beyond Cookout Classics, Moderately Processed, 9
Tie - 62? Beyond Plant-Based Burger with Avocado Oil, Moderately Processed, 9
Tie - 62? Worthington Plant Powered Patties: Moderately Processed, 9
Ultra Processed
Tie - 65 ? Full Circle Caribbean Style Plantain Island Inspired Veggie Patty, Ultra Processed, 10
Tie - 65? Bubba Burger Veggie , Ultra Processed, 10
67 ? Wegmans Don’t Have a Cow Meatless Beef Style Burger, Ultra Processed, 11
Tie - 68? Beyond Meat The Beyond Burger, 4 Ouncer: Ultra Processed, 14
Tie - 68 ? Rebellyous Foods Plant-Based Patties, Ultra Processed, 14
Super Ultra Processed
70 Stuffed Foods Quinoa Veggie Burger: Super Ultra Processed, 16
71 Bubba Burger Latin Grill Veggie, Super Ultra Processed, 17
72 Morningstar Farms Spicy Black Bean Veggie Burgers, Super Ultra Processed, 18
73 Before the Butcher Plant Based Burger: Super Ultra Processed, 19
| Business Coach | Adventure, Nature, Technology, Space, Ocean Enthusiast
6 个月This is excellent Paul! Many people equate modern plant based meat substitutes as de facto healthy which of course is not the case. This helps us make sense of the offerings so we can make better decisions.
Co-CEO & Co-Founder @ Actual Veggies
6 个月Thank you for including Actual Veggies and recognizing us for our clean + minimal ingriedents! Something to note, Actual Veggies burgers are not pre-cooked, while many of the burgers on your list are actually fried in oils before they are packaged. There are no regulations for this to be listed on packaging so consumers do not know they are actually eating a fried patty with some of the products that made your list ????
Retail Health Analyst | Shopper & Trade Marketing | Media & PR Dietitian
6 个月Interesting! Thanks! Now I want to know which one had the highest fiber, protein content and mostly good fats :)
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