Have you tried a meatless burger yet? Veggie burgers have been around for years, but new food engineering has brought us options that include chemical ingredients to mimic the smell, taste and bleed of a regular burger, creating fans who are willing to ditch the beef.

These plant-based burgers have become increasingly popular at restaurants and on store shelves. The popularity has grown so dramatically that some fast food chains now offer a meatless burger on their menu.

There’s little doubt that eating less meat is better for the environment, but how do these chemically engineered products affect your health? Is it healthier to eat these burgers or a regular burger? Nutrition experts say it depends on your overall health priorities.

The popular plant-based burgers are derived from soy and pea products. As a result, the burgers do contain a considerable amount of protein. Vitamins found in animal meat, such as vitamin B12, are added to the product so that the overall nutritional profile of the burger is comparable to one created from cow meat. This is important because most vegetarians struggle to consume enough nutrients from plant-based diets.

On the flip side, the meatless burgers are highly processed and heavy in saturated fat and sodium, which is not good for a healthy diet. Nutrition experts say to reduce the risk of disease caused by red meat consumption, stick to traditional bean-based veggie burgers.

If you love the taste of a traditional burger but want to be better to the environment, then grab a meatless burger. Regardless of which patty you choose to eat, moderation is key.