Product Review: Light Life Gimme Lean Ground Beef Style

Can Fake Ground Beef Fake It?

Thank goodness for vegetarians and vegans there are soy and soy products that can imitate meat. Humans are generally not born vegetarian or vegan and by the time they make the decision to be one, they have become accustomed to dishes containing meat. They generally grew up eating hamburgers and casseroles and meatballs and meat loaf and Hamburger Helper type mixes. They may have enjoyed chili and burritos and tacos and pizza with meat and Italian dishes with meat and an endless variety of ethnic and American fare containing meat and ground beef. So, for those people who become vegetarian or vegan later on in life, they often look to recreate favorite recipes with meatless alternatives that resemble the taste and texture of meat. And there are people who are not vegetarian or vegan but cut red meat out of their diet for health reasons. There is any number of reasons why a person may substitute meatless soy products for meat. There are a number of companies that make fake ground beef, but this article explores Light Life Gimme Lean Ground Beef Style.

Light Life Gimme Lean Ground Beef Style is made from water, soy protein concentrate, tapioca starch, soy sauce (water, soybeans, wheat, salt), soy protein isolate, dried onion, wheat gluten, malt extract, beet powder, natural flavors (from vegetable sources), spices, vegetable gum. It contains No nitrites and No MSG. It is also Fat Free, has no cholesterol and is supposed to work for making meatballs, meat loaf, burgers, casseroles and just about any dish that can be made with real ground beef. It is certified Vegan too. It all sounds good and healthy.

Light Life Gimme Lean Ground Beef Style can be found in natural grocery stores and many mainstream grocery stores. It is packaged in plastic tied off at each end, similar to how real ground beef is sold. I have mostly seen it in the refrigerated section of stores where vegetarian products are, but some stores also sell it frozen.