Making fast food as a part of the diet may not be a good choice, but sometimes the craving just hit, and it gets unavoidable. When it comes to choosing healthy fast food, burgers have a bad reputation for being an unhealthy option. People think that burger is high in fats and calories, so unhealthy food, but the nutritional value of the burger depends on the ingredients used. You can eat a healthy burger if you are looking for a low-calorie option. This article will include the healthy burger options and the ways burgers can be delicious and healthy at the same time.
Ground Beef Vs Chicken| Which Is Healthier?
Red meat flame-grilled burgers are one of the most popular burger options people love to have. Red meat is the most nutritious food itself as it has vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It is a rich source of protein, but the question is whether red meat consumption is safe for heart health? Well, it depends on the consumption level, so consider moderate intake. Guidelines recommend choosing lean meat over full-fat when possible. Lean beef has less than 10 grams of fat and less than 95 mg of cholesterol. Depending on how it gets prepared and how much you consume, It can be a healthier option than chicken.
Well, how can we forget about the least healthy part of the burger, a bun? Buns are part of most fast-food hamburgers made of highly processed and refined flour. In most burgers, the gluten in buns makes a burger unhealthy. However, it doesn’t have to be like this. You can make your healthy burgers or even look for some health considerations in a burger.
What Makes A Burger A Healthy Option?
Yes, healthy burgers do exist. You can look for the following options in a restaurant burger or make one by yourself by keeping a few points in mind. Here are the five ways to make your burger healthy
Make Your Bun Healthy
Upgrade your processed, refined flour bun with a whole grain bun. It adds fibre and other nutrients to your meal. If you are looking for a healthier option, you can also skip the bun part and wrap the meat in leafy greens.
Try Lowest Fat Ground Beef
The nutrition in a burger gets measured by the fats it has. Fat causes the meat to become juicy, but the fat in ground beef is saturated fat as it could raise the LDL cholesterol level. It eventually increases the risk of heart disease. So, you will have to limit down saturated fat. You can lower the fats and calories by mixing it with other options, such as onions and sauteed mushrooms to replace one-third of meat.
Cook The Meat Completely
While cooking patties for burgers, make sure to use the temperature enough to kill the harmful bacteria on the ground meat. Don’t eat half-cooked meat as it could be risky. You can add water-rich veggies to avoid drying of meat.
Choose The Right Toppings
Most people find a burger incomplete without toppings. The toppings in a restaurant burger are high in sugar, calories and fats. So, consider using alternatives, such as onions, tomatoes, veggies, mushrooms and avocado slices.
Use Healthy Binding Agent Instead Of Fat
Fats bind the meat together but are an unhealthy option. So, choose a healthy one such as breadcrumbs, fibre-rich oats or chia seeds.
Conclusion
Choosing fast food which is healthy as well can become difficult. But now you know the tips that can give you a safe and healthy option, so why not try them? Try the ways you learnt from this article, and make your burger a healthy one.
