It certainly would not be summertime without grilling up some burgers. But, please, I beg of you, do not go out and load up on beef burgers or processed veggie burgers (which are almost just as bad).
We have conditioned ourselves to accept “cheating” with certain unhealthy foods. I am definitely in favor of balance in life, but by serving your family burgers made out of low-quality animal protein or over processed franken-food, the only things you will be cheating are your loved ones and yourself. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide and you likely know that eating meat seriously increases your risk of heart disease. But did you know that some veggie burgers on the market are terrible for your health in their own ways? It is true. Most of them are loaded with sodium, unnecessary fillers and/or harmful pesticides.
I have spent a lot of time researching and testing out different plant-based burgers and have finally found a few that I love and can fully stand behind. If you are serving up some BBQ this summer, I highly recommend adding some of these delicious and nutritious veggies burgers to the menu.
Amy’s Kitchen Sonoma Veggie Burger
I am absolutely obsessed with Amy’s Kitchen Sonoma Veggie Burger because it is organic, gluten free, dairy free and soy free. The main ingredients are organic quinoa, gluten free oats, walnuts, mushrooms potatoes and garbanzo bean flower. The flavor is delicious, especially considering that this is a store-bought veggie burger. This burger is super convenient because it only takes a few minutes to cook and you can order it on Amazon. You are welcome.
Belcampo
If you are spending the holiday in California, you should stop by a Belcampo shop or Erewhon Market and pick up some of the veggie burgers. I absolutely love having this burger in a lettuce wrap because the flavor is so delicious that I do not want any of it masked by a thick bread bun (plus, I do not need the extra gluten). The farm-made veggie patty pairs beautifully with some thin-sliced avocado and heirloom tomatoes.
Beyond Meat’s Beyond Burger
I am sure you have heard about the big rival between Beyond Meat and its major competitor Impossible Foods. Both companies’ veggie burgers have skyrocketed in popularity over the last few years. But, in my mind, there is no competition at all. Beyond Meat’s Beyond Burger not only tastes delicious, but it is also much more nutritious than the Impossible Burger. It is made without any GMOs, soy or gluten. One patty contains 20g of plant protein and there is no saturated fat or cholesterol. If you prefer to form your own burgers or want to make a meatless ground-beef topped salad instead, Beyond Meat just debuted its Beyond Beef plant-based ground beef. The company also launched a line of vegan Beyond Sausages which are so brat-like it is crazy!
Smokey Quinoa-Chickpea Burger
If you have some extra time to cook and are not a fan of alternative meats, I have got you covered. My original Smokey-Quinoa Chickpea Burger is made with 100% whole food, plant-based ingredients and it tastes fantastic without trying to be like a burger made from animal protein. The quinoa and chickpea base give it a deliciously crispy texture and I love adding a little liquid smoke to give it that fresh-off-the-grill flavor.
I always recommend swapping out a bread bun with a romaine lettuce wrap for added nutrients and topping your burger with all of your favorite veggies like sprouts, pickled grilled onions, tomatoes and sauerkraut. Do not forget about condiments like fermented ketchup and mustard to give your gut health a little boost. Serve love, compassion, positive energy and a better chance at optimal health by choosing one of the veggie burgers above and leave unhealthy processed veggie burgers and animal meat off the menu.
Looking for a quick, nutritious and tasty snack for summer travel? My Super Seed Bars are now for sale online and can be delivered anywhere in the U.S. You can order them now.
