Meat analogues
Beyond Meatballs Italian Style Plant-Based Meatballs
10 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in saturated fat
- Contains seed oils
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 57
Beyond Meatballs Italian Style Plant-Based Meatballs scores 57 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 6 points 5 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: color (added), emulsifier, flavoring, industrial protein and thickener, stabilizer or gelling agent. Emerging
- minus 5 points Saturated fat 5.8 g / 100 g: High in saturated fat. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better meatballs
-
Persian Plant Based Meatballs Heidis Real Food · 12 oz Not ultra-processed · Less saturated fat Score 94 out of 100 , 37 points higher -
Organic Falafel Hannah Not ultra-processed · Less saturated fat Score 100 out of 100 , 43 points higher -
Chicken Meatballs Trader Joe's · 12 oz Not ultra-processed · Less saturated fat Score 91 out of 100 , 34 points higher -
Huvudroll Chicken Meatballs Frozen IKEA Not ultra-processed · Less saturated fat Score 88 out of 100 , 31 points higher -
Green Seedless Grapes Joy · 126 g Not ultra-processed · Less saturated fat Score 93 out of 100 , 36 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Beyond Meatballs Italian Style Plant-Based Meatballs
Ingredients
- Pea protein minus 2.5 points
- Canola oil minus 2.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 2.5 points
- Rice protein minus 1.5 points
- Methylcellulose minus 1.5 points
- Sunflower lecithin minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 5 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 6 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 5.8 g / 100 g minus 5 points
- Salt 1 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Energy 240 kcal / 100 g minus 1 points
- Protein 15.7 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 43 = 57
Can’t score above 79. High in saturated fat (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [10]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 240 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 17.4 g |
| Saturated fat | 5.8 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 7.4 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 2.5 g |
| Protein | 15.7 g |
| Salt | 1 g |
Serving: 5 meatballs (121 g)
Ingredients
- WATER
- PEA PROTEIN+
- EXPELLER-PRESSED CANOLA OIL
- REFINED COCONUT OIL
- NATURAL FLAVORS
- RICE PROTEIN
- YEAST
- METHYLCELLULOSE
- POTATO STARCH
- SPICES
- SALT
- POTASSIUM CHLORIDE
- APPLE EXTRACT
- GARLIC POWDER
- VINEGAR
- LEMON JUICE CONCENTRATE
- ONION POWDER
- POMEGRANATE EXTRACT
- SUNFLOWER LECITHIN
- BEET POWDER (FOR COLOR)
- CARROT
Label text, as published
WATER, PEA PROTEIN+, EXPELLER-PRESSED CANOLA OIL, REFINED COCONUT OIL, NATURAL FLAVORS, RICE PROTEIN, YEAST, METHYLCELLULOSE, POTATO STARCH, SPICES, SALT, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, APPLE EXTRACT, GARLIC POWDER, VINEGAR, LEMON JUICE CONCENTRATE, ONION POWDER, POMEGRANATE EXTRACT, SUNFLOWER LECITHIN, BEET POWDER (FOR COLOR), CARROT.
Allergens and diets
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More meat analogues on GoodSwap
-
Black Bean Veggie Burger Actual Veggies · 1 unit Ultra-processedNo additivesContains whole grains Score 83 out of 100 Excellent -
Ground "Beef" Abbot's · 10 oz High in saltNo additivesSeed-oil free Score 79 out of 100 Good -
Impossible Chicken Patties Impossible Ultra-processedContains added sugarsContains seed oilsNo synthetic dyes Score 22 out of 100 Poor -
Impossible Burger Patties Impossible Ultra-processedHigh in saturated fatContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 42 out of 100 Okay -
Organic Vegan Tofu Vegetable Potstickers Plantspired · 9 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 50 out of 100 Okay -
Plant-Based Seared Tips Beyond Steak · 10 oz Ultra-processedContains seed oilsNo synthetic dyes Score 65 out of 100 Good
More from Beyond
-
Cookout Classic Plant-Based Patties Beyond · 32 oz Score 73 out of 100 Good -
Breakfast Sausage Plant-Based Patties Original Beyond · 7.4 oz/210 g Score 61 out of 100 Good -
Beyond Beef Plant-Based Ground Beyond · 16 oz Score 66 out of 100 Good -
Breakfast Sausage Plant-Based Links Beyond · 8.3 oz Score 38 out of 100 Poor
Sources
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“replacement of saturated fat in the diet with linoleic acid effectively lowers serum cholesterol but does not support the hypothesis that this translates to a lower risk of death from coronary heart disease or all causes.”
doi.org
-
“These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”
doi.org
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21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives
“whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”
ecfr.gov
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Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline
“WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”
who.int
-
“For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”
who.int
-
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
“Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”
cdn.realfood.gov
-
“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
-
“Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”
doi.org