Build a Memorial Day Weight Loss Burger
Monday, May 27, is Memorial Day and the unofficial start of summer. It is also the start to the summer grilling season. Are you ready with your picture-perfect weight loss burger? Do you know which low-carb, low-calorie, and other diet-friendly fillings, toppings, and wraps you will use to create your burger? The BariatricPal Store has the ideas you need to thrive on Memorial Day and every cookout this summer.
The Need for Caution: Waistline-Busting Burger Bombs
Are you wondering just how bad a burger can be? Brace yourself. A “classic” burger with a full-fat beef patty and bun can have 500 to 700 calories and 30 to 50 grams of carbohydrates. With toppings such as crispy onions, cheese, special sauce, a second beef patty, or bacon, a burger can have over 1,000 calories and 70 grams of fat. That is just not going to work if you are going to lose weight.
The Meat of the Burger
Beef may be carbohydrate-free and keto-friendly, but it has certainly earned its reputation as an unhealthy food. Instead of high-fat beef, which is linked to heart disease, lean ground turkey works just as well. Other possible proteins to throw on the grill are chicken breast and veggie burgers. If you are craving a hot dog, try a fat-free or meatless one, guilt-free, or opt for a portobello mushroom if you need a low-calorie option.
Better Buns
Your waistline does not need a starchy, white hamburger bun, and neither do your taste buds. You can create a satisfying burger on a whole-grain, high-fiber bun or in a large lettuce leaf as a wrap. Or, try ThinSlim Hamburger Buns with 90 calories, 0 grams of carbs, and 14 grams each of protein and fiber.
Fantastic Fillings
Do you love a huge burger with all the fixings? There are plenty of ways to make your burger bigger without adding carbs. Always feel free to pile on lettuce, tomatoes, sprouts, and any other vegetable you like. Grilled eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers add bulk, too. A bit of cheese can go a long way without adding many carbs, whether you like standard American or cheddar, or prefer blue or feta.
Dressing to Perfection
Dress up your burger with the right condiments to get that perfect taste, but without excessive fat or sugar. Mayo, aioli, and butter add extra fat, while you can get more sugar than you realize from condiments such as relish, barbecue sauce, and ketchup. You can do better! Calorie-free, carb-free condiments from Walden Farms include Ketchup, Mayo in five flavors, and Barbecue Sauce in four flavors can give you the taste you want. Mustard is another safe condiment.
The perfect burger not only keeps you happy, but keeps you healthy, too. The BariatricPal Store can help you turn that dream burger into reality. Happy Memorial Day!
