National Hamburger Day is May 28th, and grilling season is upon us which means you might be tempted to have a burger at your next cookout. We asked Kritikaa Agnani, a Gold’s Gym registered dietitian, to share all the juicy hamburger hacks you need for a healthier version of the classic summertime favorite.
Hamburgers can be high in calories and saturated fat. By swapping out ingredients or reducing the number of add-ons, you can make your burger a lot friendlier to your waistline and heart health without sacrificing flavor.
Four Hacks for a Healthy Burger:
- Swap out the beef for turkey: Replace a beef patty with ground turkey, which is lower in saturated fat. If you really want a beef patty, get beef that’s 93 percent lean.
- Load up on veggies: Ditch the bun and put your patty on a bed of greens for a burger salad. If you want to stay traditional, opt for a whole wheat bun instead of a white bun. Your blood sugar will thank you.
- Don’t be cheesy: Try cheeses that are low in saturated fat. Cheese is a high-calorie food that is relatively low in nutritional value.
- Use this and not that: Ditch and mayo and ketchup and replace with greek yogurt or salsa, Agnani say. Skip the bacon and try “tempeh bacon,” which is even more hearty! Tempeh also has other benefits—it’s high in nutrients such as potassium, iron, magnesium and vitamin B6.
Here’s more recipes for healthy eats:
Healthy Eats: Fajita Chickpea Tacos
Healthy Eats: Lighten Up Your Grilled Cheese
Healthy Eats: How To Cook Spinach
