We all want to stay health conscious and stray away from foods that maybe aren’t that great for us.  With parties, barbeques and events all summer, our minds automatically shift to burgers – however we might want to limit the amount of burgers we put on our plates.  Why would we want to limit our ground beef intake anyway?  Safety might be one reason.  There have been countless incidents of contaminated beef, and cases of E. coli related food poisoning over the years – and burgers are easily the biggest offender.  There was also some news of a particular fast food chain using ‘pink slime’ (ew!) instead of beef in their burgers, and if that hasn’t made you think twice about cow meat, I’m not sure what will.  But if you still aren’t convinced then here are some more adverse effects of beef consumption.

Some more reasons to cut down on the beef:

·         Increased your risk of Alzheimer’s

·         Can cause heart disease

·         Associated with atherosclerosis, or blood vessel hardening

·         Increases your risk of colon cancer

·         Increases your risk of Type 2 Diabetes

·         Can increase your risk of disease and infection through beef contamination

·         Increased risk of hormone related cancer and tumors

·         Vegetarians are known to live longer

·         Concentrated beef operations have a huge environmental impact

Scary? That’s what we were thinking.  But don’t fret, you won’t have to give up your burgers or your barbeques. With lots of meat alternatives, there are still a ton of ways to enjoy a burger this summer.  You can create some pretty flavorful patties using fish, turkey, mushroom, or vegetable combinations instead.  Here are some ideas for your next juicy burger.  

1.       Chicken Burgers

Chicken burgers can be a bit dry and bland. But by adding mushrooms, barbeque sauces, or vegetables you can keep these patties bursting with flavor.

2.       Turkey Burgers

A lot of people don’t like turkey burgers, because much like chicken it can be dry and flavorless.  You can get around this by adding red pepper, tomato or mayo to your burger mix.   

3.       Lamb Burgers

Lamb, especially the grass-fed kind, can contain healthy fatty acids, as well as vitamin B12, and zinc.  This is a good source of protein without skimping on the flavor or juiciness.  If you want to be a true Greek, you can even opt for pita braid instead of a regular bun for added measure!

4.       Black or White Bean Burgers

Beans are beneficial especially in support of a healthy digestive tract and colon.  These small legumes provide a good source of fiber, regulate blood sugar and help lower cholesterol.  An extra perk is they are high in iron and B vitamins – so if you are looking for a super healthy burger, this is the one to go for. 

5.       Tuna or salmon burgers

These high-protein burgers are a great alternative to beef while still tasting very meaty.  Fish is high in good fat, clean protein and essential amino acids.  Try to buy wild salmon or tuna to create an even healthier meal.

6.       Portobello Mushroom burgers

Portobello mushrooms, topped with a cheese of your choice, offer a satisfying alternative to meat.  These tasty fungi are high in B-vitamins, minerals and fiber.