Even though veggie burgers are made of, well, veggies, the amount of processing these ingredients go through is where the problem starts, zapping the patties of some essential nutrients. And some “veggie burgers” aren’t even made with straight up vegetables but are instead based on processed soy, which studies suggest isn’t as beneficial as natural soyRetention and changes of soy isoflavones and carotenoids in immature soybean seeds (Edamame) during processing. Simonne, A.H., Smith, M., Weaver, D.B., et al. Department of Nutrition and Food Science, 328 Spidle Hall, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, USA. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2000 Dec;48(12):6061-9.. And on top of being highly processed, veggie burgers often have an excess amount of sodium (some brands weigh in with over 400 mg of sodium per patty!) which can lead to serious health problems like high blood pressure and kidney disease. Although ordering a veggie burger from a restaurant can seem like a healthier alternative to a beef burger, watch out— the veggies are often held together with butter or oil. Not to mention the size— most burgers are large enough to make up two to three meals and can contain upwards of 1,000 calories when loaded up with all the toppings. That’s half a day’s calories in one meal— not counting the mandatory side of fries! One report found some veggie burgers to contain a compound known to be harmful both to humans and the planet: Hexane, a by-product of gasoline refining that’s used to separate whole soybeans into soy oil, protein, and fiber. The EPA lists it as a hazardous air pollutant, and studies suggest it can even cause nerve problems leading to pain, numbness, muscle problems, problems digesting food, and a lot moreToxic neuropathy due to N-hexane: report of three cases. Sendur O.F., Turan, Y., Gurgan, A., Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Adnan Menderes University Medicine School Hospital, Aydin, Turkey. Inhalation Toxicology, 2009 Feb;21(3):210-4.!