Nutrition journal study: vegan fast food meals are no healthier than meat options
Vegan food is not healthier than meat. The somewhat shocking news comes from research published in the journal Nutrition which took into consideration 1,868 meals including sandwiches, salads, noodles and pizzas from 50 fast food chains in five countries, including the United Kingdom. Among the chains taken into consideration Wagamamas, Pret, Pizza Express, Leon and Burger King.
Well, the result of this investigation suggests that plant-based fast food meals are no healthier than equivalent meat-based options. Vegan options, according to the study, contain less protein and sodium but more carbohydrates and sugars. Certainly not great news for fanatics of the vegan world, especially now that Veganuary has started, the month dedicated to plant-based nutrition which turns ten this year.
To arrive at the result, the researchers collected data on the caloric content, the presence of allergens and the quantities of nutrients, fiber and salt of each meal, finally establishing, as we were saying, that plant-based meals contain less protein and sodium but higher in carbohydrates and sugars than meat-based meals.
Not only. The study also warns those who are thinking of losing a few pounds in this new year thanks to the vegan diet: plant-based meals do not contain fewer calories than meat-based meals. The study's lead author, Mikołaj Kamiński, a professor at the Poznań University of Medical Sciences in Poland, explains that "surprisingly, our study shows that plant-based meals are not associated with lower calorie content, which consumers may not realize. This really highlights the importance of making informed food choices, especially when it comes to consuming fast food, even more so if you suffer from a metabolic disorder such as type 2 diabetes."
The expert highlighted the "illusion" that plant-based alternatives are healthier than the most popular fast food dishes, with a reflection on allergens. “The results - says Kamiński - showed that meals containing meat are more likely to contain allergens such as dairy products, eggs, fish, shellfish and mustard, while plant-based meals are more likely to contain allergens such as sesame, seeds and nuts”.
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Rome, RM, Italy, 01/08/2024 12:55
EFA News - European Food Agency
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