A study conducted across five countries, and 50 fast food chains, analyzed 1868 meals and found that vegan or plant-based fast food may be just as unhealthy as “regular” fast food challenging the popular notion.
The findings were published in the journal Nutrition, the key points being that vegan fast food options have more carbs, and sugar (than non-vegan), contains allergens like sesame, seeds, and nuts, and don’t contain less calories than meat-based options as widely accepted.
The countries included in the study were; Australia, Canada, Poland, the UK, and the US.
A quote from one of the leading researchers said in Nutrition:
“Surprisingly, our study shows that plant-based meals are not associated with lower calories, which consumers may not realise.”
Some of the Fast Food Chains Analyzed Include:
- Wagamamas
- Pret
- Pizza Express
- McDonald’s
- Leon
- Burger King
- Taco Bell
- Wendy’s
Data Collected
- Quantities of nutrients,
- Fiber content
- Salt content
- Meal type
- Calories
- Weight
- Allergen presence
Lead researcher Mikołaj Kamiński, (Poznań University of Medical Sciences in Poland), said:
“Our findings revealed that plant-based fast-food meals were more likely to contain more carbohydrates and sugar than meat-based equivalents.This really emphasizes 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 like type 2 diabetes.”
Another study done by Gallup published a few months ago found that regardless of plant-based meal options, the number of vegans, ironically, is at a 10-year low. Despite more meat alternatives available than ever before… both vegetarians and vegans alike are decreasing, not increasing.
Taco Bell partnered with Beyond Meat in 2022 after vigorously testing vegan options to add to the menu. The most recent addition being a vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce. Despite these plant-based alternatives on menus at various fast food chains, consumer reception is lukewarm at best.
With the findings from this recent study, the incentive to order these meat alternative options just isn’t there. Like researcher Mikołaj Kamiński said in the journal, Nutrition:
“It exposes the illusion that plant-based alternatives of popular fast-food dishes are automatically a healthier choice.“
