Could Your Burger Really Be Only 2% Meat?

A while back, I posted an image that received much attention and was the source of a similar amount of controversy (see below). 

The meat 'filler' which the statement was referring to was, what is affectionately known as 'pink slime'. This substance has since, purportedly, been removed from McDonalds hamburgers ... However, a recently published study from the journal Annals of Diagnostic Pathology determined that 15% may be an over estimation with regard to the meat content of hamburger patties.

Though a stop-off at a drive thru may be quick and convenient, the circular buns may do little for you in terms of nourishment. The researchers tested eight fast food hamburger patties from popular restaurants within America, conducting a histological analysis of the 'meat'. Their findings were quite astounding -

NCIS - Nutritional Claims Investigation Services: Hamburger Autopsy Results

• 37.7% - 62.4% Water, with an average of approximately 49.0%
• 2.1% - 14.8% Meat, with an average of approximately 12.1%
• the remainder (anywhere between 22.8% and 60.2%) preserved skeletal muscle, blood vessels, peripheral nerves, adipose tissue, cartilage and bone

The author commented that, with regard to hamburger patties; "approximately half of their weight is made up of water. Unexpected tissue types found in some hamburgers included bone, cartilage, and plant material; no brain tissue was present."

Well ... thank god we're not quite eating cow brains. Disturbingly, two of the hamburgers tested were found to contain cellular parasites (Sarcocystis). Under cooked meat containing such parasites can cause diarrhea or muscle tenderness and in more extreme cases breathing problems and death in humans.

Before you rush to defend your favourite eatery, suggesting that it's different in some way to the beef patties tested in the above study, or that it is difficult & expensive to purchase and prepare quality ingredients, take a moment to reflect on the words of renowned author Stephen Covey:

'the key is in not spending time, but in investing it'

These words apply universally across all dimensions of life. However, they may be most poignant in the context of health and wellness. Investing a nominal portion of time to drafting a diet plan, cooking a work-week's worth of food and pre-packing your meals each day are three of the simplest steps you can take to move yourself closer to a healthier, longer-lived you.

Don't know what a diet plan should look like? Invest some time into researching evidence based blogs such as Genki-Do and Suppversity, talk to those within your social circles interested in nutrition, and take the first step in your 'journey of a thousand miles'.

Don't feel overwhelmed by the onslaught of 'have to's' ... Break your overall goal down into steps and focus on one at a time.

However, before the next time you decide to feed on the pig-slop that is a commercial hamburger, ask yourself whether the excuses you're making for your actions are truly justifiable, or whether you're just relapsing into the comfort zone you've been battling against. 

Reference:

Prayson B, McMahon JT, Prayson RA (2008). Fast food hamburgers: what are we really eating? Ann Diagn Pathol, 12(6), 406-409.