Yes, and I can make a vegan burger from lentils, onion, garlic and a touch of finely chopped jalapino, herbs etc.

The comparison here is shop-bought burgers or those you would buy in a burger restaurant, which WILL have salt and likely more than a Beyond burger.

Why is that the comparison being made?

People who make their own burgers will always make healthy burgers, whether meat or vegan.

People who buy burgers or eat out are likely to get less healthy burgers, if you look at highest selling supermarket burgers, both meat and vegan options are ALL high in salt for example.

I believe the claim being made here is that "a beyond burger" is a thing which fast food chains and supermarkets will offer as an alternative to "a beef burger", that almost nobody will make their own burgers.

I have no opinion about the economics of the brand itself; as a vegetarian I've always thought they were over-priced, and also that it was a shame I don't have a huge range of alternatives, as I actually like spicy bean burgers and can't find them any more*. In fact, because of the limited alternatives in my local markets, I got a kit for making my own burgers from dehydrated soy mince and/or mashed kidney beans.

* I don't know how much of this is "bean burgers are no longer popular" vs. "I moved country and Berlin has never heard of them"; for Quorn I do at least know it's the latter.

> I got a kit for making my own burgers from dehydrated soy mince and/or mashed kidney beans.

Do you have a link or name for this? I also prefer black bean or lentil burgers, but I've been making them by hand really.

One of these, found in the discount bin in a nearby supermarket for about €10-20: https://www.discounto.de/Angebot/BESTRON-Hamburger-Maker-AMH...

There's probably also a cheaper source for the form and squasher if that's all you need, but it came with them so I didn't look for that separately.

Thanks, so the squasher is all I need I guess

Because beyond meat is junk food, whether it’s sold in supermarkets or restaurants.

Maybe awesome to you, but many people will find that exact same construction more flavorful if salt is added

But you're arguing something different now. Regardless of subjective opinion, the bottom line is salt IS optional.

This whole thread is talking about BeyondMeat burgers.

If you're comparing the healthiness of a premade vegan burger patty, you need to compare it to a premade (or equivalent homemmade) beef patty. You can't take salt out of the beef patty comparison and say "look it's better"

Edit: But you can compare it to actual products on shelves. The first frozen burger brand I can think of that would be a good comparison is frozen Bubba burger. If we compare the sodium content, Beyond patty is 3-4x higher in sodium. Beef wins! :) Although Beyond has half the fat.

It's also good for the texture if you let if rest in the fridge for a couple hours before cooking.

Yes but that would make it "unhealthy" for many Americans. So for the health-conscious eater, the real hamburger wins.

Salt is not a health concern unless you specifically have a specific subset of cardiac health problems.

The vast, vast, vast majority of people do not have any reason to restrict salt intake.

High salt increases likelihood of kidney stones

And high water increases likelihood of electrocution. And very high water increases likelihood of finding yourself with a wet T-shirt.

"Increases likelihood" is bullshit at best (manipulation more typically) without quantifying how much, and how much would it need to be to be remotely significant.

47 percent of adults in the US suffer from hypertension: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12196499/

which is much more easily explained by a garbage diet, no preventative medicine so to speak of, obesity, work/family/financial stress. there is a lot of space between 2100 mg of sodium for a 3 piece chicken w/ fries, and ~150 mg to put a little life into a patty.

> So for the health-conscious eater, the real hamburger wins.

The health-conscious are famous for their hamburger usage.

You absolutely need salt for a good burger. It is fundamental seasoning in every savoury dish at every restaurant (fast or fine) for a reason.

You may have a salt deficiency

That is just wrong. I'm not sure what to say. You don't really need salt in many things. Don't get me wrong, I like salt, but things can taste amazing without it.

You absolutely need salt for a good burger, and just about any meat. Almost anything, really. Salt is not optional. Beef tastes less like beef without salt.

Beef tastes less like salted beef without salt. Saying anything else is literally wrong.

No, because salt is a flavor enhancer. That's what enhancement is. That's why putting a pinch of salt in hot coco works.