any one have a healthy version of a cheeseburger?
 

SO for the last 3and a half weeks I've been on my diet I've had no craving's- until the last few days granted it is "that time of the month" and I always crave sugary and greasy foods while on it- but now It's to the point I day dream about bad food. Anyways every time I pass a burger king or Mcdonalds it takes every ounce of strength I have not to pull in and get a burger!

So I've tried to come up with my own healthy version - but it simply didn't "do the trick" for me

I made a boca burger only 100 cals ;) put it on a piece of whole wheat 45 calorie bread, used some laughing cow cheese at 35 cals, and a piece of jimmy dean turkey bacon only 25 cals per slice;) and then lettuce ,onions, a little low sodium ketchup, a little olive oil mayo, and some mustard- and I tried it and *sighs* I was so disappointed..:( it's was ok, totally edible and not gross or anything don't get me wrong but it just didn't replace it or come close to it..

any other Ideas? or is that just one of the few things that is irreplaceable?

I personally don't believe in resisting cravings. In my opinion it is better that you give yourself permission to eat foods you want, rather than ignoring cravings until you break down and make a bad choice. If I just give myself permission to eat what I feel like, I am more likely to eat it in moderation and keep it in my calories.

When I want a cheeseburger I get a cheeseburger kids meal from jack-in-the-box with a plain cheeseburger and applesauce. Sometimes I get the fries but they have a lot of calories and are not very filling. In case you are wondering, it comes out to just over 400 calories, which really is perfectly acceptable for a single meal.

YMMV

I know it sounds totally ridiculous, but one thing that tastes so so so much like McDonalds is these tuna toasties I made one time. I discovered that they taste like Big Mac totally by accident :D

I just put a mixture of drained water-packed tuna, mayonnaise (yogurt works fine, too) and a bit of worchestershire sauce onto some ultra grainy toast, put a slice of tomato on it, and then some cheese and grill it until it's melty. It's so tasty, and a dang sight better for me than Micky Dee's.

I just take really lean ground beef mix in some shredded cheddar or mozzeralla fat free cheese... grill it... put it on a plate without the bun...and dip it in ketchup as I eat it. I don't miss the bun and get a really yummy hamburger when I want it.

I'm not sure about whether it's as good because I haven't eaten McDonalds since 1994 but I just do the same as mouse37sc and make some burgers with lean beef and pack it with onions and salad or buy these vegetarian burgers from my local supermarket, it's flavoured quorn and it tastes really good with a light cheese slice and some weight watchers bread.
My absolute favourite burger though is nice big chicken cheeseburger, tastes even better to know I made it myself rather than bought it and it's not too bad calorie wise.

If you crave it that much though you should get one, if you deny yourself you may end up binging on them and more. Sometimes I crave cake really bad if it's TOM and I just have to let myself have some or I'll go mad and eat everything EXCEPT cake :D

Get 90% lean ground beef and cook a 1/4 pound pattie. (175 cals)

On the last turn, add on top 1 ounce of full fat cheddar cheese and cover the pan to melt it for about 30 seconds or so. (114 cals)

Add Dijonnaise, dill pickles, a dollop of ketchup--as you like (around 10-15 cals)

Wrap in an iceberg lettuce leaf instead of using a bun!

Total 300 cals. Tastes pretty darn good!

Jay

Ooh, never thought of wrapping a burger in a lettuce leaf, think I might try that.

If I am craving something really bad I end up just getting it. I find substitutes don't usually do the trick for me. I have had mc donalds a few times since I have started watching what I ate and usually get a big mac. I just plan it into my calories for the day and only get the big mac and a bottle of water. I can't deny myself or this would never work for me. This is a lifestyle change that I am sticking to for life.

I have had the same craving. After about 2 months of doing without, I had to have a hamburger! I knew that I needed to either indulge occasionally or find a good alternate. This alternative works for me:

Lara's Lean Beef Hamburger patty - 160 calories - 9 grams of fat
Merita Lite Wheat Hamburger Buns - 80 calories - .5 grams of fat
Kraft 2% American Slice Cheese - 45 calories - grams of fat 2.5
lettuce
a little bit of onion

Total - 285 calories and 12 grams of fat

I gave up mayo in favor of the 2% cheese. I have added one slice of
Oscar Mayer Fast Prep Precooked Bacon (4 slices = 90 calories and 7 grams of fat) so that adds about 23 calories and 2 grams of fat. You could reduce the calories some by using fat free cheese but I prefer the 2%.

This burger is big, filling, satisfies my cravings and fits well within my eating plan. I now have it about once a week and don't have any problems driving by Burger King. ;)

I'd recommend learning to make your own homemade burger with beef. Even if it's still not everyday food, it will be really tasty, and much better for you than McDonald's. You'll get spoiled - McD's hamburgers will soon seem gross.

I recently became vegetarian, so I can't advise the best way to make your own burger, but I'm sure someone will. I still crave a good burger now and then, but I never have the slightest desire for a McDonald's burger.

The nice thing about making your own is you get to do whatever toppings you want. I saute a mess of mushrooms and onions in a little olive oil and top my burger (usually grilled turkey burger, but Boca, or even beef would suffice---beef at home is still going to be healthier than fast food) with blue cheese, mushrooms, onions, guac, lettuce, tomato, green chile :) whatever! And I'd have a real hamburger bun with it. Even with those toppings, it is a huge calorie saver over a drive through, better quality, and hits the spot.

4oz 99% lean ground turkey (I season it with Grillmates Hickory and a shake of garlic powder or Goya Adobo) - 140 calories, 160 calories if you use the 97% turkey

1 80 calorie hamburger bun (stop and shop or shaws sells em) - 80 calories

Lettuce, tomato, onion, dill pickle, ketchup, Guldens mustard - 35 calories approx

1 wedge of laughing cow french onion cheese - 35 calories (I don't use the cheese when I make these but my wife does)

Grand total of 255 calories without the cheese and 290 calories with the cheese, and these are very yummy!

As Ever
Me

I haven't had red meat for five years and I've been vegan for two, so this might not be particularly helpful since I don't even remember what a hamburger tastes like, but Burger King's garden burgers really hit the spot for me. I still get the thrill of having fast food (haha) but without the mayo its only 300 calories! Even if it can't satisfy your cravings, its a good thing to get at a rest stop or when your friends are fastfood-ing.

If I am really craving something and the craving doesnt go away i just figure it into my calories. IF I want Mcdonalds I get 1 reg burger and it usually stops the cravings. I dont do it often but every few weeks it doesnt hurt.

Just a thought- if you're craving a hamburger at TOM, it may be your body's way of saying that you need more iron.

Lean beef is really just as light and healthy as ground turkey. Or, to take it a step further- grass fed beef tends to run around the same cals as chicken, though it has a slightly different taste and can't be cooked for too logn or it dries out (low fat content).

But I would take from some of the other reader's suggestions- light bun, light cheese, lean meat in a small patty size and load up on the toppings.

Have you ever tried bison? I've found it's a wonderful replacement for beef that tastes just like beef and is better for you!

wow- what great alternatives! I'm going to give them all a try!!!!!!

This may sound gross, but I LOVE IT! My friend who does south beach told me to do this and even though I don't do south beach it's good. I cook up the extra lean ground beef in a patty and melt a slice of lowfat american cheese on top (to me, the american cheese it what makes it a cheeseburger). I serve it on a bed of iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. The "dressing" is mustard and a bit of ketchup. I dice the cheeseburger patty. I call it cheeseburger salad (creative genius, I know).

I cook up 4 oz. of 97% lean ground beef, seasoned with Montreal Steak seasoning (135 calories), add a slice of 2% American cheese (50 calories) and put it on a dry grilled Nature's Own whitewheat hamburger bun (100 calories) with whatever veggies and low calorie condiments I have in the fridge! Grand total is 285 calories before adding veggies/condiments. If you really want a bacon burger, try sprinkling some real bacon bits on top of the cheese, a whole tablespoon adds just 25 calories.

I'm on SB and make these as well. People look at me crazy sometimes, but I don't miss the bread! :p

I find that ground turkey is really tasty. :] Try with some lowfat cheese and a wheat bun with whatever veggies/condiments you like.

mmmm- these all sound great! I did Atkins before similar to south beach and I used to eat cheeseburgers with out the buns all the time! LOL- so don't worry doesn't sound crazy to me!

I eat burgers at least 2 times a week. I buy Laura burgers and cook them on the george. They are only 160 cals and its beef not turkey so that makes me happy. I can find the frozen meat anywhere but the only place i have been able to find Laura Beef ground up was a Meijers

Usually i eat it w/o a bun bcause i make it with pasta. I like mine with garlic, onion, tomato and feta. YUMMY

I'm planning a burger dinner, Amy's california burger 140 cal, on a w/w bun 140 cal, with pickle, mashed avocado, mustard and ketchup. Not sure if it would work for you, but you could give it a go.

I think this is really smart and should be considered for any cravings that we have. Why are we restricting what we want to eat when all we have to do is figure it into our caloric intake for the day?

The only thing I could add here is if your craving is driving you insane (and we all have those on different things from time to time), allow yourself just HALF of your favorite burger at your favorite place. If you feel you couldn't control yourself, maybe try cutting it in half immediately and then immediately throwing the other half away. I know this sounds wasteful, but this is really all about training yourself and making gradual changes. I might note that McDonald's - any fast food really - is completely taboo to me after all the health research I have done the last couple years. You may find that half satisfies your craving, and after awhile, you may find that you don't even like them any more after eating healthy on a consistent basis. Eating only half also reduces the calories/fats/carbs, etc., way down while you satisfy that nagging craving. ;-)

sometimes i add a little bit of flax seed to my ground beef, then i get some healhty omega-3 fats and fiber!

great tips guys! I went out tonight and bought some jennie O turkey burger meat only 160 cals! I'll put it on some 45 calorie bread at my toppings and see how it goes! it's gotta be better then the boca burger!

Tomorrow night we're having burgers at home. We can make them healthier, cheaper, and better-tasting that way. We use:

-- Turkey patties from the grocery store, because my husband hates forming patties
-- Whole-wheat hamburger buns I'm making from this recipe: http://www.recipezaar.com/Whole-Whea...Machine-169916
-- Cheddar cheese
-- Plenty of romaine lettuce and tomatoes
-- Sauteed onions and mushrooms
-- Mustard

Usually we don't find we need mayonnaise.

Along with this we're having baked sweet potato fries, and then milkshakes for dessert (made from sugarless vanilla ice cream, nonfat milk, and sugarless fruit spread from Trader Joe's). It will end up being a fairly high-calorie meal, but that's in the plan. I won't go the rest of my life without eating healthy stuff that I really enjoy.

Have you tried a veggie burger?

Maybe mixing half ground turkey with half lean ground beef?

Not sure if it was suggested already, but I grill two large portabella mushrooms (seasoned a bit) and use them as buns. Sure, it's messy, but very very yummy.

This is how I mix my meatloaf :) For good measure and a little extra flavor and moisture, I finely grate 2-3 carrots to mix in as well. Tastes better than my mother's, that's for sure. And healthier.

I'm a beef lover, and swear by bison meat. It's leaner, more nutritious, and I think it tastes better.

If you want to cut the calories in ground beef even more, mix in some chopped mushrooms. They take on the beef flavor. You can go about 1/2 and 1/2 and it'll taste great. Pair it with earthy spices, maybe some BBQ sauce, and YUM.

When I crave a burger, I just get a McDonald's hamburger. I know they aren't the best, but they aren't as bad as I always thought. 250 calories/12 g protein and 2 g fiber. But it does have saturated fat, so I try to limit these to once a month.

Ditto. I also usually find that after the first three or four bites I am satisfied. So, if what you want is a greasy burger - eat a nice salad, and then eat that burger until you feel satisfied. :hug:

This thread keeps popping up to the top of the list so many times that I think I might have to have a healthy hamburger tomorrow for dinner! My husband would just love an excuse to use his new grill :)

I know I never expected this thread to get so popular! LOL- I was content after the first few answers! but! I got some super great Ideas! I've already tried 2 of them! I love the turkey burgers so far- much better then the veggie / boca burgers!

When I just have to have a burger I either get a Jr. Whopper (when my brother insists on me taking him there) and ask for no mayo, or light mayo, and tweak it a bit. Or I just buy a low fat thing of hamburg meat, or ground turkey meat (if you like turkey this stuff is as good as hamburg meat) and then after I cook the patties I pat them dry. You can get 60-80 calorie light burger buns that taste as good as regular ones, without having to get the wheat kind (not a fan personally). I just use no mayo, or the TINIEST amount (1/3 a serving or 1/2 serving). I also like to either use a light American cheese, or just buy blue cheese crumbled and melt a tiny amount on the burger (works great if you want something creamy without using mayo).