Does the phrase “frozen burger” remind you of your summer barbecue or poolside weekend vision? same. However, while frozen burgers are easy to stock and convenient (does anyone want to spend hours preparing food at high temperatures?), Not all are made the same. Some are filled with vegetables and healthy foods, while others are high in sodium and fat and filled with harmful additives.
For this reason, it is important to be aware of unhealthy frozen burgers that may be lurking in the frozen food section of the supermarket. To help, we have put together a list.From seasoned patties with over 800 mg of sodium per serving to other patties filled with unhealthy additives, you’ll find them here. Eight frozen burgers you might want to avoid.
Per meal (1 patty): 350 calories, 29 g of fat (10 g of saturated fat, 0 g of trans fat), 860 mg of sodium, 5 g of carbohydrates (0 g of fiber, 2 g of sugar), 17 g of protein
These onion-flavored patties, which feature over 800 mg of sodium and nearly 30 grams of fat, may not be the best option for those who want to limit their sodium and fat intake. Instead, use organic minced lean beef and fresh herbs and spices to make delicious patties at home.
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Per meal (1 mini burger): 190 calories, fat 9 g (saturated fat 3.5 g, trans fat 0 g), sodium 360 mg, carbohydrate 20 g (fiber 3 g, sugar 3 g), protein 9 g
Only one mini burger contains over 300 mg of sodium and 20 grams of carbohydrates. Not suitable for anyone looking for a healthy eating option. These burgers also contain additives such as food coloring and monoglycerides. A better alternative is to make a mini burger from scratch using high quality ingredients that are low in both salt and sugar.
Per meal (1 patty): 290 calories, fat 23 g (saturated fat 9 g), sodium 75 mg, carbohydrates 0 g (fiber 0 g, sugar 0 g), protein 19 g
Tim Woody, CCC, FNS, and Carnivore-style owners and founders share that Trader Joe’s pasture-fed beef burger is some of the most unhealthy frozen burgers out there. “Given that it’s bred in the pasture, the quality of the meat seems to be good, but there are other serious health problems,” says Wood. “Even if the hamburger doesn’t have any additional ingredients, it still contains very unhealthy amounts of high fat, cholesterol and calories.”
When choosing a frozen meat burger, Wood shares that efforts should be made to choose a brand that ensures that cattle are fed 100% organic cattle feed. “That means that cattle weren’t given growth hormones or antibiotics that could be harmful to meat consumption,” says Wood.
Per meal (1 patty): 150 calories, 4.5 g fat (2 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 550 mg sodium, 22 g carbohydrates (3 g fiber, <1 g sugar), 7 g protein
Veggie burgers may look healthy, but some are actually salt-filled. For example, one garden burger patty contains 550 mg of sodium. “It’s not a strange amount in itself, but consider that potential toppings such as seasonings, cheese, and bread can also contain large amounts of sodium,” he said. Megan Pendleton, RD.. “This can bring the total sodium content of a hamburger close to 1000 mg, which is about half the recommended daily dose.”
Pendleton recommends choosing patties with less than 300 mg of sodium, such as Hillary’s Veggie Burger. “Alternatively, be aware of the sodium in other foods and how the total amount works according to your own health needs and preferences,” she adds.
Per meal (1 patty): 240 calories, 21 g fat (8 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 470 mg sodium, 0 g carbohydrates (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 13 g protein
Frozen beef putty in the ballpark may bring back memories of barbecues and baseball games in the backyard, but it’s lacking in the nutrition department. “These hamburger putties are rich in maltodextrin, additive flavors, inflammatory vegetable and soybean oils, corn syrup and other unhealthy additives,” he said. Taylor Stolt, RDN, LD, CLT, IFNCP..
Instead, Stolt suggests trying Tribali’s frozen beef putty. “Tribali Foods has two types of frozen burger patties, both of which are healthy and delicious,” says Stolt. “They are made of 100% pasture beef and all natural herbs and spices.”
Per meal (1 patty): 290 calories, fat 22 g (saturated fat 7 g, trans fat 0 g), sodium 340 mg, carbohydrates 4 g (fiber 0 g, sugar 0 g), protein 18 g
In response to Pendleton, Strut points out that just because something is plant-based doesn’t mean it’s healthy. “Beyond Meat Burger contains large amounts of inflammatory canola oil, added flavors, and synthetic fibers called methylcellulose.”
If you need a healthier vegetable-filled beef patty, Stolt offers Applegate’s frozen patties as a good alternative. “If your burger needs vegetables, this is the right way to go,” says Stolt. “Applegate burger patties are a combination of 100% glass beef and cauliflower, spinach, lentils, butternut squash, and all-natural herbs and spices.”
Per meal (1 patty): 470 calories, fat 38g (saturated fat 16g, trans fat 0g), sodium 1010mg, carbohydrate 2g (fiber 0g, sugar 0g), protein 30g
Wild folk bacon and cheddar beef burgers may sound delicious, but they are packed with 16 grams of saturated fat. This is 80% of the recommended daily intake. “Saturated fats raise cholesterol levels and can contribute to heart disease,” he says. Jamie Oliver, MD, A doctor specializing in immunology, obstetrics, gynecology, pharmacology, and internal medicine.
Per meal (1 patty): 320 calories, 26 g fat (10 g saturated fat, 2 g trans fat), 430 mg sodium, 5 g carbohydrates (4 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 16 g protein
Only one extra value meat frozen patty contains over 430 mg of sodium, which makes it unsuitable for anyone who wants to reduce their sodium intake. Instead, look for frozen patties that are low in sodium and carbs and made with minimal ingredients.
