Is the Impossible Burger permissible during Lent?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dselljr
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
D

Dselljr

Guest
There is a product named the “Impossible Burger” which is a 100% plant based product that contains a special protein they nicknamed “Heme” which causes the product to taste like meat despite no actual meat components. So the question is can it be eaten during Fridays in Lent? I ask because while there isn’t a consensus, there’s concern not to eat broth because that tastes like meat.

Thank you.
 
http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/lent/questions-and-answers-about-lent.cfm

Q. I understand that all the Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence from meat, but I’m not sure what is classified as meat. Does meat include chicken and dairy products?

A. Abstinence laws consider that meat comes only from animals such as chickens, cows, sheep or pigs — all of which live on land. Birds are also considered meat. Abstinence does not include meat juices and liquid foods made from meat. Thus, such foods as chicken broth, consomme, soups cooked or flavored with meat, meat gravies or sauces, as well as seasonings or condiments made from animal fat are technically not forbidden. However, moral theologians have traditionally taught that we should abstain from all animal-derived products (except foods such as gelatin, butter, cheese and eggs, which do not have any meat taste). Fish are a different category of animal. Salt and freshwater species of fish, amphibians, reptiles, (cold-blooded animals) and shellfish are permitted.
This burger is not meat and doesn’t not fall in this category so there should be no problem.
 
The requirement is to abstain from meat, so yes, a 100% plant-based product would be permissible to eat on the Fridays and other abstinence days of Lent. If you are trying to be extra penitential, then you could stay away from the burger for your own personal reasons, but it is permissible under the Church requirements.
 
Yeah, we already had this discussion regarding Chinese restaurant “fake meat” (seitan).

The answer is what Cruciferi said: if it doesn’t actually CONTAIN meat (as defined in Sbee0 post above), you’re allowed to eat it.
 
Last edited:
Technically, the Impossible Burger (which is all veggie) would be fine during Lent.

Personally, a faux meat dish would not be my first choice during Lent because the real good ones taste like meat, but if that’s all that was being served or the only Lent dish available, then I would get it.

From what I understand, the Impossible Burger tastes almost like a real hamburger. So, again for me personally, I would personally avoid it Fridays unless it was my only option. But that’s my own personal piety.

Point is, you may have it if you wish.

God bless
 
Last edited:
It is allowed. For me personally, I don’t eat anything that could be seen as a substitute, but that’s my own personal choice. You are fine if you want to have it.
 
Dselljr said:
I ask because while there isn’t a consensus, there’s concern not to eat broth because that tastes like meat.
Click to expand...
Historically, you may not eat something with meat broth (but today you can). Using the traditional rules, that would break the meat abstinence. However, (unless I’m wrong) I don’t think the Impossible brand uses meat broth anyway.
 
Last edited:
I agree with what you said.

Not judging the OP, from my understanding it is permissible. That being said, if it taste like meat, to me, it kinda defeats the purpose of not eating meat on Fridays of Lent, even though technically it’s not meat.
 
Last edited:
phil19034 said:
You may not eat something with meat broth. That would break the meat abstinence. However, (unless I’m wrong) I don’t think the Impossible brand uses meat broth.
Click to expand...
From the above quote.
Thus, such foods as chicken broth, consomme, soups cooked or flavored with meat, meat gravies or sauces, as well as seasonings or condiments made from animal fat are technically not forbidden.
 
Dselljr said:
There is a product named the “Impossible Burger” which is a 100% plant based product that contains a special protein they nicknamed “Heme” which causes the product to taste like meat despite no actual meat components. So the question is can it be eaten during Fridays in Lent? I ask because while there isn’t a consensus, there’s concern not to eat broth because that tastes like meat.

Thank you.
Click to expand...
The Latin church tradition is to avoid the meat taste but they are not forbidden. St. Thomas Aquinas gave the reason to abstain (see below).

USCCB has this:
Q. I understand that all the Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence from meat, but I’m not sure what is classified as meat. Does meat include chicken and dairy products?

A. Abstinence laws consider that meat comes only from animals such as chickens, cows, sheep or pigs — all of which live on land. Birds are also considered meat. Abstinence does not include meat juices and liquid foods made from meat. Thus, such foods as chicken broth, consomme, soups cooked or flavored with meat, meat gravies or sauces, as well as seasonings or condiments made from animal fat are technically not forbidden. However, moral theologians have traditionally taught that we should abstain from all animal-derived products (except foods such as gelatin, butter, cheese and eggs, which do not have any meat taste). Fish are a different category of animal. Salt and freshwater species of fish, amphibians, reptiles, (cold-blooded animals) and shellfish are permitted.
Click to expand...
St. Thomas Aquinas, S.T. II-II Q147
Article 8. Whether it is fitting that those who fast should be bidden to abstain from flesh meat, eggs, and milk foods?

I answer that, As stated above (Article 6), fasting was instituted by the Church in order to bridle the concupiscences of the flesh, which regard pleasures of touch in connection with food and sex. Wherefore the Church forbade those who fast to partake of those foods which both afford most pleasure to the palate, and besides are a very great incentive to lust. Such are the flesh of animals that take their rest on the earth, and of those that breathe the air and their products, such as milk from those that walk on the earth, and eggs from birds. For, since such like animals are more like man in body, they afford greater pleasure as food, and greater nourishment to the human body, so that from their consumption there results a greater surplus available for seminal matter, which when abundant becomes a great incentive to lust. Hence the Church has bidden those who fast to abstain especially from these foods.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Thank you all for the responses, and the debate is exactly where I’m stuck.

As some of you posted from the USCCB, the line discussing moral theologian’s dislike of broths is what concerned me here.

Normally during Lent, I try to avoid the, “oh darn, I guess I’ll eat lobster” scenario, and usually eat vegetarian dishes / versions of things I would normally eat, since I avoid vegetarian dishes normally. That’s why this Impossible Burger became such an unusual situation.

Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)uts.
 
Vico said:
For, since such like animals are more like man in body, they afford greater pleasure as food, and greater nourishment to the human body, so that from their consumption there results a greater surplus available for seminal matter, which when abundant becomes a great incentive to lust. Hence the Church has bidden those who fast to abstain especially from these foods.
Click to expand...
Eh? I’ve never heard that one before. Learn something new every day…

Obviously the Angelic Doctor was using a late-medieval scientific concept. I mean this in all earnestness. Mocking the wisdom of the past, even where it leaves something to be desired, or sounds strange to our modern ears, is simply not something I do. So don’t take it that way.

I have special dietary needs (protein) and have to be creative during periods of fast and abstinence. I use soy-based meat analogues (sausage, chicken, etc.) and I can tell you that, while satisfying enough, they are not like eating “real meat”. You acquire a taste for them. There are also cheeses and legumes to provide protein.

I’d like to try that Impossible Burger.
 
HomeschoolDad said:
40.png
Vico:
For, since such like animals are more like man in body, they afford greater pleasure as food, and greater nourishment to the human body, so that from their consumption there results a greater surplus available for seminal matter, which when abundant becomes a great incentive to lust. Hence the Church has bidden those who fast to abstain especially from these foods.
Click to expand...
Eh? I’ve never heard that one before. Learn something new every day…

Obviously the Angelic Doctor was using a late-medieval scientific concept. I mean this in all earnestness. Mocking the wisdom of the past, even where it leaves something to be desired, or sounds strange to our modern ears, is simply not something I do. So don’t take it that way.

I have special dietary needs (protein) and have to be creative during periods of fast and abstinence. I use soy-based meat analogues (sausage, chicken, etc.) and I can tell you that, while satisfying enough, they are not like eating “real meat”. You acquire a taste for them. There are also cheeses and legumes to provide protein.

I’d like to try that Impossible Burger.
Click to expand...
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin increase results in decreased bioavailable testosterone.

It has been observed that “age and body mass index are major determinants of SHBG concentrations in older men, and fiber and protein intake are also significant contributors to SHBG levels, but total caloric intake and the intake of carbohydrate or fat are not significant.”

 
It’s ok for Lent but it sounds terribly unhealthy. All “fake meat” does. Eat every once in a while soy and other “fakes” but not constantly. Most soy products are rich in hydrogenated fats and other hidden fats (you don’t taste them because they are not oily). You are just whipping your liver with all that. Why not roasted mushrooms? Seasoned correctly oven roasted mushrooms are close to meat while far away.
Also the point of Lent is abstinence. Like you have one day off meat and you are supposed to dedicate that to God. The market is full of horrible vegan alternatives. They are just bad food. The point of Lent is not making yourself sick.
 
YourNameHere said:
It sounds horrible. Better not to eat it, period.
Click to expand...
It’s lent.

What better time for the penance of enduring pseudo-meat???

:crazy_face::roll_eyes:🤣

Despite the claims of their proponents, the next one that might actually pass for meat and be mistaken for meat will be the first.

While I expect nuclear fusion and self driving cars in my lifetime, I’m skeptical that even my grandchildren will taste a faux meat that can fool anyone . . .
 
If it doesn’t actually contain meat then it is impossible to be a burger.
 
Dselljr said:
There is a product named the “Impossible Burger” which is a 100% plant based product that contains a special protein they nicknamed “Heme” which causes the product to taste like meat despite no actual meat components. .
Click to expand...
(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top