Make Way for the Hybrid Hamburger - Part Soy, Part Meat

Category: Diet and Nutrition

Although many people have heard that red meat consumption should be limited and replaced by healthier plant-based protein, most are not quick to make the change. Soy-based "meat replacement" products don't have the same mouth feel and taste as the real thing, leading many to stick with meats. However, a new product to hit the market may change that. St. Louis based, Solae is the largest soy protein food innovation company, accounting for 50% of the world market for isolated soy protein containing products. They have come up with a new meat-soy hybrid product, called SolaCina, which may revolutionize this market.

SolaCina is the process and ingredients (with a patent pending) that will either be partly meat or completely meat free, while still tasting like meat and possessing a muscle-like texture. One of the products from Solae which is half soy and half protein will be called the Better Burger, contains two-third the calories and half the fat and saturated fat as a burger of comparable size. Products are expected to hit the supermarket shelves later this year.

While these products may reduce the overall consumption of red meat by some, they are not the answer to America's health crisis. These types of soy products are highly processed leaving many critics to wonder whether the benefits of this type of isolated soy protein are similar to products like tofu and tempeh. Research indicates that soy protein is beneficial for cardiovascular health. However, a diet which is whole foods based, low in animal fat and protein, high in fiber, fruits and vegetables is the best protector against diseases of lifestyle.

Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on January 8, 2014 10:00 AM