For those of you who like nothing better than a nice, juicy beef burger, I have good news. With the right ingredients, the traditional beef burger may be healthier for you than the trendy soy burger.
If you’re vegetarian or vegan, you can have a fabulous, healthy burger too!
What makes a soy burger less healthy than a beef burger?
I have written about soy in a previous post titled “Is Soy Good or Bad For You?” The article covers some of the pros and cons of eating soy along with tips on the best ways of including soy in your diet.
The problem with burgers made from soy is that the beans they are made from are likely GMO, and they contain Roundup, which is a known carcinogen. Also, they have been extensively processed so that they contain very little of the nutritional content of the soybeans from which they are made. They also contain preservatives to extend their shelf life. You’re eating dead food that may fill you but doesn’t feed your body and brain with the nutrients it needs. In the long term, you’ll feel tired, depressed, and will put on weight because you’ll be eating more food to compensate for the lack of nutrients your body isn’t getting from the food you’re eating.
What kind of burger can I eat?
There’s nothing like a big, juicy burger. See our post about the importance of eating free-range, grass fed animal products (Put down that cage-free egg). It explains what makes the traditionally bad or high-cholesteral animal products good for us (or at least not so bad).
Simply put, if you eat a big, juicy beef burger that comes from a free-range, grass fed cow, you’re getting more of the good omega-3 fatty acids along with other nutrients compared with beef that comes from conventionally raised cows. Grass-fed beef also contains more tryptophan, an amino acid that is a precursor to serotonin, one of our feel-good neurotransmitters. If you add some vegetables or beans to your burger mix, your burger will be even healthier! Your body will be nourished, which will help you maintain a healthy weight. You’ll also feel energized and in a good mood. That’s how food is supposed to make you feel.
Are you sensitive to red meat or a vegetarian who loves a good burger?
If so, you have some amazing options! Portobello burgers are always a hit with my family. There are many recipes for burgers made out of beans too. We’re experimenting with these now and will be adding some to our portfolio. Our Recipes Portfolio is growing all the time and has lots of quick, delicious ideas.
Do you have a sensitivity to flour or wheat?
Even though you may not be able to eat a traditional burger, you can still treat yourself to chili or salads with beef and homemade salsa on top.
We recommend eliminating or greatly reducing the amount of bread and other wheat flour based products that you eat. If you can tolerate wheat, try hollowing out your bun or eating your burger on half a bun. Susanna and her husband often share a burger and eat a few extra sweet potato fries to compensate.
