Heart Health

Plant-based meat alternatives: How do they stack up?

By , Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter
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Meatless burgers may be better for your heart than regular hamburgers, especially if you pair them with sides and drinks that are healthier than typical fast-food fare.

The original veggie burgers, made from a mix of grains, beans, nuts, and vegetables, date back to the 1970s, when vegetarian diets were still on the fringe. Today, popular fast-food outlets sell meatless burgers that mimic real beef much more closely than those early versions. And plant-based diets (which aren’t necessarily vegetarian but lean that way) are now practically mainstream.

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About the Author

photo of Julie Corliss

Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter

Julie Corliss is the executive editor of the Harvard Heart Letter. Before working at Harvard, she was a medical writer and editor at HealthNews, a consumer newsletter affiliated with The New England Journal of Medicine. She … See Full Bio
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