Did you know that 91 percent of Americans who own a grill say hamburgers are their number one choice for grilling?
Most of us view Memorial Day Weekend as the beginning of summer, regardless of what the calendar says!
Not only can you “build a better hamburger” by choosing the best beef possible, you can make your burgers even healthier with the following tips.
1. Top it with avocado. Not only are avocados delicious on burgers, but they can also reverse some of the bad effects of red meat. A study out of UCLA, published in Food & Function, showed that when healthy male subjects ate hamburger patties with and without fresh Hass avocado halves, certain biological measures, like inflammation and arterial blood flow, appeared better when the avocado and the burger were eaten together.
*Check out this recipe for The Works! Avocado Burger Topper that incorporates all of your favorite fixins’.
1. Size matters. The size of the burger can add up. Jump on the slider bandwagon and choose two mini-burgers instead of a huge patty. Some burgers at popular chains tip the scales at 8 oz. or more, which can add up to almost 500 calories without the bun.
2. Big Buns aren’t always better. To reduce the amount of calories consumed, choose an English muffin, sandwich thins or bagel flats. You can even cut a bun in half and use one half for the whole burger.
3. In Fact, Who Says You Even Need Buns?! Those of us who have to eat gluten free can attest for the fact that you actually taste the burger better when it doesn’t have to compete with bread for attention! Wrap your juicy burger in leaf lettuce and dress it with mustard, ketchup, pickles, and onions. Less calories… more flavor. Boom!
4. Be a Condiment Crusader Think beyond the fridge door and skip usual mayo and sugar-laden ketchup. Instead, use spices, herbs, or swap mayo for Greek Yogurt mixed with Siracha or hot sauce. You can even pickle your own zucchini to impress your guests with homemade pickles!
5. Bulk up your meat. Many veggies, like mushrooms, have a meaty texture and blend easily in meat mixtures. Simply chop mushrooms to a ground beef texture and use in place of some of the meat in your burger. Not only will they taste great, you will lose some of the fat from the meat and gain nutrients and vitamins from the vegetables.