Sport Help! How can I make a Hamburger healthier?

Sport Fitness
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cracktapuss

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Is there a such thing as a healthy hamburger? I do not eat many, but maybe one a week or every other week. But I love 'em. I do not like fast food hamburgers (except for Burger King's, but I have not had one in about 4 months and will never again), so I make my own. I like home made hamburgers better. All fast food hamburgers make me feel kind of sick (especially McDonald's hamburgers, gross, they don't even taste like meat).

Anyways, I'm picky about vegetables, especially on my hamburger. I do not like mayo, which is good. I do like ketchup, but I only like it on hamburgers. I don't wanna use it anymore as a topping. I do LOVE mustard though.

I hate tomatoes, hate onions (raw ones anyway), and only like a little bit of lettuce and have to be in the mood for it. I usually put American cheese as a topping. I'm also gonna stop using American cheese. Are there better cheeses out there to use? Like Colby, Cheddar, Pepper Jack, etc? Or maybe something that can be a topping that will make me feel like it's a good substitute for cheese?

I love hot stuff. I chop up habaneros and put 'em in with the meat. I also use the leanest meat I can find. Any ideas for toppings would be appreciated. I'm sure some one can help me here.

Thanks.....and I'm also on my 5th day of quitting smoking. It's actually going a lot better for me than the other times I've tried quitting.

Again, thanks a lot for any help.
 
Best way around this? make your own!

Most places will add preservatives and fat tends to be one of these, they also add things like sugar and salt to make you want to go back for more and more. It could be you are addicted to the additives and even the sugar in the bun rather then the actual meat burger.

Look into recipies, see what goes into what your about to cook and eat and in many cases it will be healthier then buying a fast food burger. To make your own you may want to get certain things like a burger cutter, compresser etc but you can just prepare the mince (and onion and anything else you chose to add) then cook them in the oven on a cooking tin.

With ketchup, remember to include it in any calorie countint you may do as it does still count. If you didn't like raw tomatos, maybe try grilling them? the texture is then very different especially if they are done well.

Try things like eggs and mustard powder (mixed with water) for a lower calorie version, also sour cream (the low far version), peppers....

The way you have worded it makes it sound like you just want to eat junk food (don't like tomatos, have to be in the mood for lettuce...) if you just want to pig out on junk, do it, don't try to compromise unless your really trying to cut out the junk but from your post you don't seem to want to cut it out/ready to cut it out. Often if you try to compromise when your hearts not in it, you end up eating the thing you wanted (and were trying to avoid in the first place) anyway.

Take some time to really think about what you want here as its not very clear.
 
summer123 said:
Best way around this? make your own!

Most places will add preservatives and fat tends to be one of these, they also add things like sugar and salt to make you want to go back for more and more. It could be you are addicted to the additives and even the sugar in the bun rather then the actual meat burger.

Look into recipies, see what goes into what your about to cook and eat and in many cases it will be healthier then buying a fast food burger. To make your own you may want to get certain things like a burger cutter, compresser etc but you can just prepare the mince (and onion and anything else you chose to add) then cook them in the oven on a cooking tin.

With ketchup, remember to include it in any calorie countint you may do as it does still count. If you didn't like raw tomatos, maybe try grilling them? the texture is then very different especially if they are done well.

Try things like eggs and mustard powder (mixed with water) for a lower calorie version, also sour cream (the low far version), peppers....

The way you have worded it makes it sound like you just want to eat junk food (don't like tomatos, have to be in the mood for lettuce...) if you just want to pig out on junk, do it, don't try to compromise unless your really trying to cut out the junk but from your post you don't seem to want to cut it out/ready to cut it out. Often if you try to compromise when your hearts not in it, you end up eating the thing you wanted (and were trying to avoid in the first place) anyway.

Take some time to really think about what you want here as its not very clear.
Click to expand...

LOL! Thanks for the tips. but I don't eat junk food really. Ketchup I consider "junk", and that is why I am cutting it out. But I only put ketchup on hamburgers and nothing else, not even fries. And I want to cut out the ketchup on hamburgers.

I don't like salt at all. Very rarely do I use salt. I have not salted anything for a while. Probably only twice this year so far. I always buy low sodium soups, meats, etc....etc...... Anything low sodium, I buy at the grocery store. I don't eat chips. Never have, even when I was eating nothing but "junk". I never liked fast food that much, even as a teenager.

To make it more tasty, I'm just looking for other ways, to A- make my burger healthier (toppings is what I'm looking for most) instead of using ketchup, and B- maybe some other ideas for vegetables to add. I LOVE vegetables and fruit. When I make my burgers, I do not add any salt. I buy my meat from a local butcher that makes the meat fresh every day. No preservatives. And I know people that work there and are my friends. So, I'm not getting the stuff you get from Kroger.

I just do not like tomatoes, onions, and only like light lettuce. The three veggies that are typically put on hamburgers. I eat salads. I watch my sodium. I do not eat fast foods. I do not drink soda (haven't in 5 years). I have not had chips in two years.....so I don't think I'm looking for "junk food" lol. I've listed my "junk food" vices, like ketchup and American cheese. I know that there are not any "healthy" cheeses out there, and I did state that if there are any substitutes for cheese, I'm all for it!

For example- "I found that when I made my own avocado spread, it was a good substitute for cheese. I don't need cheese now." (Probably a bad example, but hopefully this will make it more clear)

I also like to eat hamburgers. But, I've heard that they are bad for you, or that they are good for you if eaten in moderation. Which is what I'm talking about. And if can make my burger healthier, then that is my goal. I mean, tomatoes, onions, and lettuce are not the only healthy options to top a burger, is it? I've searched and found nothing useful. I figured there are a lot of people on here that could help me with a quick response.

Sorry for such a long post, just making myself more clear. :food:
 
I have to say that I have never heard that hamburgers are good for you. I am sure that they are OK in moderation but as far as good for you goes, I don't think they will boost your health. I am sure everything is fine in moderation. Once a week as a treat I am sure would be fine.

But even though you don't add salt and additives, they do, so to get around this either try making them yourself or getting nutritional information from companies you buy from (many are listed online) and compare to see which burgers are better options. Take a good look at the saturated fat, the carbohydrates which sugars and the overall calories. Then look at what goes into the burger and check out E numbers and anything else which looks unfamiliar.

Its then up to you which option looks the best but remember with many burgers, the way they are cooked can drasticly change the overall composition, you may think your only eating 500kcals but infact that day they had an intern on who cooked the burger with more fat then usual and its nearer 650kcals. Always take the ingredients with a pinch of salt. This is why cooking for yourself is often the safer option.

For alternatives I guess its all trial and error- it really depends on your taste buds.

You could also try extra low fat cream cheese (we have a product in the UK called Philidelphia Extra Light cream cheese) add a little mustard powder (and when I say a little I mean a tiny amount as it will be strong) this will help to enhance the flavor. If its not cheesy enough for you, a sprinkling of parmasan instead will cut calories as its quite intense so you wont need as much of it.

What are you doing for the bun? If possible go for wholegrain over white bread. Brown bread is more often white bread but just dyed brown (yes it is legal!) its got no health benefits over white bread at all. Wholegrain or Multigrain bread which has oats or seeds within it to add to the texture will not only feel more filling but be a lower GI so less of a sugar high.

Salad is a good idea and whilst there are some health benefits in ketchup, I am sure the sugar in it spoils it a bit. Maybe look for low sugar varieties? but bear in mind there wont be a large calorie difference. Balmsamic vinegar is another option, fewer calories as its a liquid but no health benefits in reality, its just a slightly different taste.
Try things like peppers, ghurkins, aubegines (if making your own), mushrooms or even grated carrot for different vegetable options of lettuce and tomato are not an option. Otherwise have some fruit afterwards or even a side order of steamed veg.
 
summer123 said:
I have to say that I have never heard that hamburgers are good for you. I am sure that they are OK in moderation but as far as good for you goes, I don't think they will boost your health. I am sure everything is fine in moderation. Once a week as a treat I am sure would be fine.

But even though you don't add salt and additives, they do, so to get around this either try making them yourself or getting nutritional information from companies you buy from (many are listed online) and compare to see which burgers are better options. Take a good look at the saturated fat, the carbohydrates which sugars and the overall calories. Then look at what goes into the burger and check out E numbers and anything else which looks unfamiliar.

Its then up to you which option looks the best but remember with many burgers, the way they are cooked can drasticly change the overall composition, you may think your only eating 500kcals but infact that day they had an intern on who cooked the burger with more fat then usual and its nearer 650kcals. Always take the ingredients with a pinch of salt. This is why cooking for yourself is often the safer option.

For alternatives I guess its all trial and error- it really depends on your taste buds.

You could also try extra low fat cream cheese (we have a product in the UK called Philidelphia Extra Light cream cheese) add a little mustard powder (and when I say a little I mean a tiny amount as it will be strong) this will help to enhance the flavor. If its not cheesy enough for you, a sprinkling of parmasan instead will cut calories as its quite intense so you wont need as much of it.

What are you doing for the bun? If possible go for wholegrain over white bread. Brown bread is more often white bread but just dyed brown (yes it is legal!) its got no health benefits over white bread at all. Wholegrain or Multigrain bread which has oats or seeds within it to add to the texture will not only feel more filling but be a lower GI so less of a sugar high.

Salad is a good idea and whilst there are some health benefits in ketchup, I am sure the sugar in it spoils it a bit. Maybe look for low sugar varieties? but bear in mind there wont be a large calorie difference. Balmsamic vinegar is another option, fewer calories as its a liquid but no health benefits in reality, its just a slightly different taste.
Try things like peppers, ghurkins, aubegines (if making your own), mushrooms or even grated carrot for different vegetable options of lettuce and tomato are not an option. Otherwise have some fruit afterwards or even a side order of steamed veg.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Now that helps me a lot. I never order burgers from other places. I always make my own at home. And the butcher shop that I get the meat from, is family owned and every thing on their farm is organic. No preservatives. They are healthy fit people who promote a healthy life style. I'm gonna try the mushrooms and grated carrot and some different peppers. I usually dice up some habaneros, but I like almost all peppers.

I'll also try the Philadelphia Extra Light Cream Cheese. We have that in America. At least in Ohio where I'm from. I also love parmesan cheese.

As far as bread, I have not had any white bread since I was 10 years old, and I'm 35 years old right now. I always check the labels and buy Wholegrain bread. Sometimes Multigrain, and sometimes 100% whole wheat, but most often, Wholegrain.

Thanks! That's some options I'm anxious to try. I have not had a burger in a few weeks. Time to experiment!
 
use ground sirloin or top round (your butcher should be able to grind up any cut of meat to give you a much leaner ground 'beef' package).

or ground buffalo (wicked lean).

watch the cheese and mayo toppings...load up on tomato, lettuce, onions. whole grain bun (or skip the bun)
 
Read, "The China Study." It changed my life. One of the largest and longest studies on human diet, health, and mortality. Conducted by the US Government, so it's certainly not some foodist's propaganda.
 
one hamburger every week or two isnt going to make or break your diet. I had a friend give me some 99% lean ground beef. The burgers were so bad and dry, i wouldent feed them to my dog! Stick with 93% and enjoy your burger!

There is a big difference in fat content between top round and sirloin. Top round would be considered extra lean. Each cut can vary thougth.
 
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