By Maria Noble
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6949994
A burger and fries is one of the most popular meals around. Families enjoy them almost everywhere, from fast food joints, to sit down restaurants and even at home. While a burger and fries don't have the best reputation as being a healthy dinner option, there are a number of things - like using whole wheat hamburger buns - that you can do to up their nutritional value.
Use Leaner Meats Or Even Veggies For Your Burgers
A full fat hamburger can have as many as 28 grams of fat in just four ounces. That's over 40% of your daily recommended value! Instead choose a leaner beef or turkey meat. When shopping, compare nutritional labels to pick the best choice for your family.
If you're looking to avoid meat entirely, veggie burgers can be a healthier option. Veggie burgers are often made from combinations of carrots, mushrooms, tomatoes, peppers, black beans and some sort of ingredient to bind everything together such as oatmeal or breadcrumbs. You can make them at home or even purchase pre-made veggie burgers from the store.
Use Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns
Instead of using a white bun, switch to whole wheat hamburger buns. Whole wheat hamburger buns can be packed fibre and other nutrients. Be sure to compare ingredient and nutritional information the next time you shop - you may be surprised at some of the differences out there.
Oven Baked Fries
No burger is complete without a side of fries. However, they don't have to be actually fried! Oven baked frozen fries are a better alternative than their fried counterparts, but you can actually do better than that. Scrub a potato thoroughly and then slice it into long rectangles. Some people prefer to leave the skin on for added nutrients, while others prefer to peel it first. Toss with some olive oil, salt, pepper and any other spices and bake in the oven at a high heat for around 20 minutes. Check on them once or twice and turn halfway through to ensure that they're browning on both sides.
For a tasty twist, try sweet potatoes fries. They can be prepared in a similar way than regular white potato fries, but before cooking them, let them sit in some cold water for 30 minutes to help reduce the level of starch and help them crisp while cooking.
Making a healthier version of burgers and fries isn't as difficult as you might think. If this is one of your family's favourite meals, don't give it up. Instead, make some easy changes, such as using whole wheat hamburger buns, lean meats or even vegetables to make your burgers. If you've never tried a healthy burger, you might be surprised at how tasty one can be.
Maria Noble is a Canadian mother and writer who likes writing about ways to improve her family's health, including eating whole wheat hamburger buns and other whole grain bread. A lot of her research comes from analyzing one of her favourite products WONDER Invisibles Bread.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maria_Noble
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6949994
No comments:
Post a Comment