Surely on some occasion we have heard of Heura, we have seen publicity for the brand, we have visited its social networks or we have even tried it. Be that as it may, we are going to tell you everything we know about the vegetable meat that has revolutionized the industry and has made life easier for millions of vegans.
But make no mistake, Heura is not just for vegans and vegetarians. In the next few paragraphs we will reveal its multiple benefits compared to traditional meat and how it helps reduce bad cholesterol and prevents cancer.
The company has broken into our country and it seems that it is here to stay, since it is exerting pressure on governments, policies and eating habits, the meat industry, animal protection laws and climate change, among other small revolutions.
What is Hera?
This is the vegetable meat with a texture and flavor similar to chicken meat manufactured by Foods for Tomorrow, which is based in Barcelona, Spain.
This product is made from soybeans and in the process all the protein part of the soybean is extracted, converted into a protein concentrate that is mixed with filtered water to obtain the mass and, after an extrusion process, they achieve the texture that Heura has. Later, they add the spices depending on whether they are going to be packaged as Original, Mediterranean, or Spicy.
Vegetable meat allergens
Specifically this brand do not contain gluten, except for meatballs and hamburgers that may contain traces, but it would be very rare.
The only allergen that Heura has is soybean, since it is the main and only ingredient, except the spices, in the case of having them. From the Catalan company they explain that they are working to create variants of vegetable meat without using soy.
Vitamins
If we are vegetarians or vegans, there are certain vitamins that we have to give our body since they are not manufactured by the body and, in the case of vegans, we do not take the products that provide them.
We refer to the Vitamin B12. This is acquired by eating cow liver, clams, eggs, milk, cheese and other dairy products, fish, poultry, etc.
When eating a vegan diet, there is no way to naturally access vitamin B12, so it takes managing it chemically. In the case of Heura, it does include vitamin B12 and it is included during the marinating process (add spices).
On the official website we can read “75 grams of Heura contain 1,87 mcg of vitamin B12”. This amount represents approximately 75% of the recommended daily amount of said vitamin. In vegan and vegetarian diets (more strict) it is recommended to consume about 3mcg of vitamin B12 each day.
Nutritional values
When it comes to vegetable food, there are many who cry out to heaven and are convinced of how unhealthy this food is. We must say that not all vegetable meats are the same, there are some that are loaded with fats, sugars, salts, dyes, etc.
In Heura's case, there are no preservatives, no colorings and no E codes, and if there were any, they would be reflected in the nutritional tables as indicated by the current law. The company uses extra virgin olive oil in all its products, a very important detail.
Soy protein is the main ingredient, but as in all processed products, there are other elements that help to achieve the final appearance.
Brianda Strips and Original Bites, the table is exactly the same:
Nutritional information per 100g:
- Energy: 136 calories
- Fat: 3 grams
- Saturated fat: 0,50 grams
- Carbohydrates: 1,80 grams
- Sugars: 0 grams
- Dietary fiber: 6,40 grams
- Protein: 19,70 grams
- Salt: 1,37 grams
All the Original Meatballs They are one of the best-selling products, and this is their nutritional information:
Nutritional information per 100g
- Energy: 207 calories
- Fat: 11,6 grams
- Saturated fat: 1,2 grams
- Carbohydrates: 9,4 grams
- Sugars: <0,5 grams
- Dietary fiber: 5,9 grams
- Protein: 13,3 grams
- Salt: 1,35 grams
All the Burger Originals the star product of the house, and this is its nutritional information:
Nutritional information per 100 grams:
- Energy: 145 calories
- Fat: 6,5 grams
- Saturated fat: 1,0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 5,9 grams
- Sugars: <0,5 grams
- Dietary fiber: 1,9 grams
- Protein: 15,1 grams
- Salt: 1,3 grams
Is it a meat substitute?
In the case of a vegan and vegetarian diet, it is considered a substitute for meat, since it there has been no animal cruelty in the manufacturing process. This detail is what mainly differentiates normal meat from plant-based options.
In the specific case of the brand that is the protagonist of this article, its nutritional values are healthier than those of the usual meat, be it pork, chicken or beef. If vegetable meat is made to be healthy, it will always be a better option than animal meat, which contains many more colors and fats.
The intake of vegetable meat improves diseases such as chronic inflammation, favors cardiovascular, intestinal and hormonal health. That added to that the consumption of animal meat is related to allergies, intolerances and cancer.
We are not left alone with these data. Any food option must be as varied as possible, with a good daily serving of fruits, legumes and vegetables and do some type of physical activity several times a week.
How to use Heura in recipes
Whether we are vegetarians, vegans or have a varied traditional diet, we can eat Heura at any time. Here the problem may be finding it in supermarkets, since it is not in all of them, only in some. In fact, on the official Heura website, we can check on an interactive map if they sell this vegetable meat near our location.
We can add Heura, in the same way that we add beef tacos to a stew, chicken strips for fajitas or pizzas, a normal hamburger with cheese, vegetables and sauces, Heura bites in paella, or other types of rice , pasta, empanadas and broths.
This vegetable meat can be frozen before and after cooking, as indicated on the official website. It can also be breaded and fried as a breaded chicken fillet, chicken "teardrops" or nuggets.
Vegetable meat vs animal meat
Have we ever stopped to think about the environmental impact of food? It is a very recurring topic of debate in recent months. To give us an idea, a single animal hamburger uses about 1.739 liters of water and emits 4 kg of CO2. However, a Heura "beef" burger only uses 0,7 liters of water and the carbon footprint is negligible.
Unlike the meat industry, which is responsible for 91% of deforestation in the Amazon, Heura raises its soybeans using responsible crops that do not increase deforestation. Likewise, intensive livestock farming emits millions of tons of CO2 each year into the atmosphere.
On the other hand, deforestation is due to the need for more space to plant grain to feed cattle and more space for sheep, goats, cows and so on to graze. Every year they breed more than 60.000 million animals only for human consumption, and of course, you have to feed them to continue the chain.
The production of that meat and animal-derived products, such as dairy, uses the 30% of the total surface of the planet, 70% of the world's available agricultural land and about 8% of the water we humans use is for irrigating feed crops.
Not to mention the mistreatment suffered by all animals and the practices used by the industry to increase production, such as, for example, enclosing hens in an A4 sheet of paper, removing calves from their mothers 36 hours after birth, chicken nuggets are shredded chicks, pigs live in cages without seeing sunlight and a long and unpleasant et cetera.
Advantages
Many times we talk about vegetable meat, but rarely about the health benefits of moving away from animal meat. That is why we recommend, in non-vegan or vegetarian diets, alternating animal meat with vegetable meat so as not to saturate the body, always accompanied by exercise, good hydration, and the intake of fruits, vegetables, and legumes.
cholesterol control
Unlike animal meat, which is not recommended for patients with cholesterol and cardiovascular problems, Heura is made from soybeans and helps lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. In turn, this vegetable meat contains healthy fatty acids and a very low level of saturated fat, an optimal combination to protect our heart.
Being a 100% vegetable food, it contains a lot of natural fiber, unlike foods of animal origin. This, together with a varied diet, some exercise and plenty of hydration, prevents constipation and regulates intestinal transit, apart from helping to maintain an ideal weight.
Many scientific studies support the consumption of soy on a regular basis and that it prevents the appearance of some types of cancers (prostate, breast, endometrial, among others). Heura contains soy isoflavones, a compound that helps menopausal women reduce the frequency and intensity of hot flashes.
Diet Compatibility
Ivy It is not a product exclusively for vegans or vegetarians. Neither this brand, nor any other with plant-based meat. Since its products can be bought, cooked and eaten by all those who want to try vegetable meat.
Another advantage of 100% vegetable products is the absence of animal cruelty, which is why it is suitable for everyone, whether or not we are vegans and vegetarians.
If we are following some type of diet, to lose weight, or gain muscle, it is appropriate to consult a specialist and show him the product, in case he is not familiar with it, and its nutritional values, so that he can make a more objective judgement.
It does not contain gluten
Many brands of vegetarian and vegan products incorporate gluten-containing grain-derived ingredients to thicken the fake meat and make it more compact. In this case, they use soy concentrate, so it is totally suitable for celiacs or people who are sensitive to gluten. In addition, you can rest easy with the rest of the ingredients because they have not been contaminated either.
The only thing you have to keep in mind is to make sure that when you ask for it in a restaurant, they confirm that there is no cross-contamination due to the use of irons or kitchen elements.
Enriched with iron and vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is largely absent from vegan diets, since it comes mainly from animal protein. It is important to take some type of supplement to balance the values of this vitamin and not affect the production of red blood cells, since the deficit can further increase fatigue.
B12 is one of those vitamins that makes people feel good. It's key to the production of red blood cells, which are what carry oxygen through your system, so if they're not working efficiently, you'll feel exhausted.
In addition, they ensure that it contains up to 4 times more amount of iron than spinach.
High protein content
From the brand they assure that it has up to 2 times more protein than an egg (13 grams x 2), so it is an interesting bet to maintain protein consumption without it being of animal origin. In vegan diets, protein is generally found in legumes, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. In this case, it comes from soy concentrate, even though it appears and tastes similar to chicken or beef.
Low in saturated fat
One of the main health risks of eating red meat is the high consumption of saturated fat. The WHO warned that consuming some cuts of meat can favor the appearance of cancer. Logically if the intake is very habitual and in large quantities. However, you can enjoy a delicious vegan burger to satisfy your craving, without thinking about how it will affect your cholesterol.
High fiber content
Six times more fiber than tofu? You already know the importance of this substance in our body. Insoluble fiber speeds up the process in which food moves through the stomach and intestines. Because of that, it makes stool heavier and helps regulate our bowel movements.
The insoluble ones are not completely digested, so it helps to relieve constipation. As it is a very low-sugar product, it is considered suitable for diabetics and having so much fiber helps improve insulin sensitivity.