By Aistė Jasponė, MSc
Fact checked by Sandra Vigelienė, BSc
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People are progressively adopting plant-based diets not only for health and ethical reasons but also for sustainability. While plant-based diets are often associated with minimally processed foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds, modern versions frequently include ultra-processed foods. Many still seek meat-like textures and flavors, especially during the holidays, leading to a growing market for plant-based meat alternatives.
Discussions about the health benefits of plant-based meat alternatives are ongoing, as these products often fall under the ultra-processed category according to the NOVA classification system.
Ultra-processing generally involves extensive processing that alters the nutritional composition and physical structure of whole foods. Ultra-processed foods are typically high in saturated fats, added sugar or artificial sweeteners, salt, and additives, and excessive consumption of these foods is linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and other health issues.
However, not all ultra-processed foods are nutritionally equivalent. The NOVA system classifies based on processing extent rather than nutrient profiles, leading to misunderstandings about their health value.
A recent study published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology found that plant-based meat substitutes can improve cardiovascular risk factors like cholesterol and body weight. While these alternatives may not directly lower LDL cholesterol or excess weight, replacing regular meat with plant-based options in the context of a balanced diet may help lower total and LDL cholesterol levels and support weight maintenance.
Plant-based meat substitutes vary widely in nutritional value and ingredients, which can make generalized evaluations potentially misleading. Since turkey roasts are often a centerpiece during major U.S. holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Healthnews team focused specifically on this product category. We analyzed popular plant-based turkey roast options and compared their nutritional value to regular turkey meats.
So, do vegan alternatives offer more health benefits than traditional meat-based turkey roasts?
Nutritional analysis
If you would like more context, you can start by reviewing the report’s Methodology section. This section provides the reviewed product list and detailed information on how we conducted our analysis.
Below is a visual summary of our findings.
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