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In the past couple of months, we've seen a number of fast food giants foray into healthier, plant-based food options in an effort to attract a growing market of vegan consumers. We've seen this effort come to fruition with multiple fast food chains partnering up with alternative meat purveyors like Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat. Major fast food companies offering vegan versions of their flagship products would've been unfathomable 20 years ago.
Although this is a small step we're excited to see the initial efforts put forth by the larger, mainstream food industry and are hopeful for the positive effects this could bring about.
Here's where to cop your plant-based fast food bites:
1. Burger King - Impossible Whopper
Impossible Foods has been infiltrating the menus of a number of burger joints across the nation. The most recent is none other than fast food giant, Burger King, where the classic Whopper is reimagined with an Impossible patty. BK is trialing an initial roll out of the Impossible Whopper in St. Louis and are hopeful for its nationwide roll out.
Vegan or not, it's no denying that the Impossible Whopper is a healthier alternative coming in at 240 calories, 8 grams of saturated fat, 370 milligrams of sodium, and 19 grams of protein. While the regular beef Whopper comes in at a whopping 677 calories, 12 grams of saturated fat, 911 milligrams of sodium, and 31 grams of protein.
Check out this ad where customers go through a blind fold taste test with the plant-based burger. And from the looks of the comment section, everyone is just as excited as we are about the Impossible Whopper.
2. McDonald's - Vegan McNuggets
According to vegan media outlet VegNews, Mcdonald's Senior Vice President, Lucy Brady has mentioned that plant-based protein is something McDonald's is keeping their eye on. While we have yet to see any real, plant-based options in McDonald's American menu, International locations like Norway, have launched successful items in the vegan category. Its most recent launch of vegan nuggets are made with real vegetables instead of a meat alternative. It contains chickpeas, carrots, potatoes, cauliflower, corn, and onion, and are coated in a crunchy breading.
3. White Castle - Impossible Sliders
Surprisingly ahead of the game is White Castle, another burger spot who started offering the Impossible patty. For the mere price of $1.99 you can get a taste of Harold and Kumar's favorite sliders rounding out at 250 calories and 11 grams of protein.
4. Carl's Jr. - Beyond Burger
To no surprise, the West Coast has placed vegan burger options in its fast food menus since last year. Carl's Jr, a West Coast mainstay, has partnered up with PETA in an effort to not only offer vegan options but also be conscious of the lives of the animals involved in the production of their products.
5. Del Taco - Beyond Meat
Del Taco, another West Coast fast food joint has also began testing 100% plant-based tacos with Beyond Meat. It's only available in select locations, but we won't be surprised if nationwide taco joint, Taco Bell, soon hops on the plant-based train.