Making Burger Fit For Athletes

Burgers aren’t exactly known for being healthy food, no thanks to the high fat and sodium content in them. But these can be made to fit the nutritional needs of athletes! The trick is in viewing burgers as a blank canvas that can be filled with nutritious and delicious ingredients.

Start with the Bread

Instead of the usual doughy white bun used in typical hamburgers, substitute a healthier version, such as whole wheat bread. You can even buy sprouted burger buns, which consist of sprouted whole grains including millet, barley and wheat, from health food stores. You will get protein and dietary fiber from the bread alone.

Choose Lean Meat

Burgers are great meals and snacks for athletes because of their high protein content but the choice in protein source is important, too. Be sure to skip the fatty cuts of meat and choose healthier meats, such as chicken, turkey and ground lean beef instead.

You should also limit the amount of lean meat placed sandwiched between the buns for many reasons. You want the perfect balance between the carbs in the bread and the protein in the beef, as well as between the flavors of the buns and meat. Get more of the bread or more of the beef and your burger experience will be less enjoyable.

Be Creative with Your Toppings

Nothing beats the traditional toppings in burgers, such as lettuce, onions and tomatoes, of course. But when you have unique nutritional needs as an athlete, you should be more creative with your toppings. You will not only get better flavors, you will also enjoy better nutrition.

A few suggestions include:

• Kimchi is fermented cabbage popular among Koreans but it’s also gaining popularity among Americans. This isn’t surprising as the savory balance between spicy, sweet, salty and sour flavors can be addictive. Plus, kimchi has been shown to aid in digestion because of its probiotic content.
• Guacamole is a creamy dish made from avocados. Aside from its creaminess, it also contains heart-healthy monounsaturated fat that can improve good cholesterol levels.  
• Kale chips add the crunchy texture to burgers, not to mention that these are healthier options than potato chips. Kale is a superfood for a reason – it’s rich in vitamins A and C, antioxidants, and dietary fiber.  

But there are days, too, when indulging in a burger with the works hits the spot. In this case, you may want to look at a list of Bobby’s Burger Palace catering prices to start your cheat day. You can still eat healthy but with an indulgent twist.