Starbucks' Impossible Breakfast Sandwich Is Less Nutritious Than You Might Think

The Impossible Burger is known worldwide as one of the first plant-based burgers to actually step out of the veggie burger category in taste, texture, and even smell. They worked hard to make a vegan burger that would taste as close as possible to a regular burger, bleed like a regular burger, and even feel like one, instead of the crumbly mess vegan burgers can often turn into. 

As Business of Business notes, the Impossible Burger first came on the scene in 2016 and have since "become commonplace in grocery stores like Walmart and Krogers and fast food chains like Burger King and White Castle," continuously expanding their reach to new markets and people. Their foray into Starbucks franchises began in Seattle as a test and has now expanded to Starbucks around the U.S., boasting the brand's high protein levels and seeming to be the healthier alternative to your average croissant and scone (via Business Insider). But it's possible that while the vegan meat alternative is a tempting, supposedly "healthier," option, it may not be as healthy as one would think.

Although sites like Thrillist laud the Impossible Breakfast Sandwich for its ability to hide its plant-based nature, along with its flavor and other fresh elements, those looking to it as a healthy option should probably steer clear. Eat This, Not That! notes that while the vegan patty is healthy on its own, the additions to the sandwich pack a bit of a different punch. They use full-fat dairy cheese and fried eggs to top the patty, not to mention the bread its packed into. "The trifecta amounts to 420 calories, 22 grams of fat (8 grams saturated), and 800 milligrams of sodium," says Eat This.

Good Housekeeping notes that "there's not a significant nutritional difference between Starbucks' traditional sausage sandwich and it's new Impossible version," and only about 50 fewer calories. So if you're vegan, it is definitely a good one for one swap, but if you're a meat-eater trying to save a couple calories and score some points for a healthy choice, it may be best to grab a protein pack instead.