I am a male currently on a 1500 calorie diet. I really need protein to make me feel full. I was wondering how many burgers a week would be considered healthy. This would be a burger with mustard and relish, no mayo.
Burgers, or burgers with buns? White bun, or wheat bun? What's the quality of the beef? What percent lean to fat on the beef?
Burgers have a LOT of variables. A lean turkey breast burger on a whole wheat bun or in a lettuce wrapper is a good choice, one you could have multiple times a week. That'd have as much or more protein for fewer calories and less fat than a traditional beef burger made with 20% fat beef, with a refined carb bun.
I bought some chicken veggie burgers and noticed they have 17 gms of protein in each patty..is this a lot? They are not horrible but definitely NOT a hamburger..lol
Yeah, definitely do be choosy about the type of meat you use (lean turkey would be an awesome choice). And since you emphasized your need for protein in the post, I'm guessing you're being careful about carbs? I always serve my turkey burgers open-faced on a double fiber English muffin -- it's just as tasty as a bun, and fiber is so great for you.
You can also consider bulking up your burgers by adding veggies to the meat: I mix mine with quite a bit of finely diced onion (yum) and, if I'm feeling adventurous, some steamed spinach.
I guess it would depend on which plan you were following, and like someone else said, what type of meat/bread you are talking about. For me, eating low carb, we do purchase and eat a lot of beef burger patties with mayo/mustard, but on my plan it's acceptable and healthy for my lifestyle.
Burgers are not necessarily bad in of themselves, it's how most restaurants cook them and the percentage of fat in the meat. Also, restaurant burgers tend to be huge. A serving of meat is 4 oz, not 8 oz or amazingly 16 oz like you sometimes see in restaurants.
If you make the burgers at home using 4oz lean meat, a whole grain bun, lots of veggies, and low cal condiments you aren't eating anything unhealthy. You can even make healthy "fries" at home by doing it yourself (using a real potato or even better a sweet potato) and baking them in the oven.
Ground turkey breast is a good option for burgers, so is a mix of lean turkey and super lean beef if you want a more "beefy" flavor. Ground ostrich and Buffalo are good options too, if you can find them. IMO another thing to consider is quality of meat. I think it's really important, when you are concerned with health, to put the best quality food you can find in your body. Just my 2-cents.
Also, make sure you know the difference between a "hamburger" and a "cheeseburger." It sounds silly, but I had to educate my bf that a cheeseburger has loads more fat and calories than a hamburger. So do yourself a favor, and skip the cheese!
Turkey burger isn't hamburger to me. But to each their own!
Vince, the thing is, you can make them at home and have them be a lot better than what you buy at a fast food place, and a lot less calories, too. Oddly, the bun is often worse calorie-wise than the meat that goes in it.
Most fast food franchises have nutritional information on their websites, so you can see what you're getting in different burgers. I often will make a dinner with a ground beef patty (90% lean), no bun, side salad, and some vegetables.
Since your also Canadian, you NEED to try Lick's Nature Burgers. They sell them in the grocery stores now. Incredible! Way better then a normal burger. You should really look into them. $7 for a pack of 4.
Don't forget to use a whole wheat bun.
I make burgers or meatballs using ground turkey and ground lamb. I mix them about 50/50 and I add various spices and herbs. The turkey does not have as much fat as the lamb and has more protein, but the lamb provides a richer flavour.
Burgers don't have to be bad (and turkey burgers are good, but they aren't hamburgers ) Go for 94/6 hamburger, you can use a light bun, and 2% cheese, pile on the lettuce and onions... yum! Baked fries are also much better for you than deep fried fries. Still not something to have every day, but it will get you through that craving without too much damage
Burgers aren't necessarily bad for you, but there are many different ways it can become bad. If you use lean ground beef (I use 93% or 95% lean) and eat a whole wheat bun (I don't eat a bun at all), then they'll remain pretty healthy. I also use light cheese and mayo sparingly on mine.
I am the world's biggest fan of Bison/Buffalo burgers. MMMM. I love them. They are a great alternative to beef, still has a "beefy" taste, and less fat/calories than regular ground beef.
Location: NW New Jersey But, My Heart's In Pittsburgh!! GO STEELERS & PENGUINS!!!
Posts: 3,060
S/C/G: 245/143/145
Hi Vince,
You may want to read the following article regarding beef, cholesterol, saturated fats and a host of other things we've been conditioned to believe over the years. I think you may find it quite enlightening!
I don't think they are bad at all. I just made them for the first time the other day (my parents used to make them all the time but I never did). I used ground sirloin (I agree, turkey isn't a hamburger), onions, light miracle whip (yeah, I know it's bad, I haven't found a mayo I like yet) and a little bit of cheese. Hubby had mustard. We both liked them pretty well.
Oh man, now you've got me wanting a burger. I use very lean ground beef (95%) and just eat it on my usual whole-wheat bread that I use for other sandwiches. Top it with pickles, ketchup, mustard, and romaine lettuce, and I'm in heaven. Yum.
Anyway, my point is there's nothing inherently wrong with burgers if you're conscientious about what you put on them (and what you put them on), and you know you can "afford" the calories and saturated fat.
why are hamburgers unhealthy?
Oddly, the bun is often worse calorie-wise than the meat that goes in it. 
there's nothing inherently wrong with burgers if you're conscientious about what you put on them (and what you put them on), and you know you can "afford" the calories and saturated fat.
