Burgers contain excessive amounts of cholesterol and saturated fat. Meat consists of fat naturally, which increases the cholesterol level. When you have burgers, the cholesterol level rises in the blood, thereby increasing the chances of heart disorders.
Science says that junk foods are full of calories, fat and excess sodium and having it even once can be bad for your health. For example, a single hamburger contains 500 calories, 25 grams of fat, 40 grams of carbs, 10 grams of sugar, and 1,000 milligrams of sodium, which is enough to cause havoc in your system.
Junk food provides empty calories, supplying little or none of the protein, vitamins, or minerals required for a nutritious diet. Some foods, such as hamburgers, and tacos, can be considered either healthy or junk food, depending on their ingredients and preparation methods.
Are Burgers Healthy? Though burgers provide protein and other nutrients, they're not seen as a healthy food option. That's because they're high in saturated fat and cholesterol. They're also often bundled with sodas and french fries, which contain large amounts of sugar and saturated fats.
A new report says that you should only eat one burger a week if you want to do what's right for your health. The report also recommends less than 4 eggs a week and only one serving of dairy a day.
Routinely consuming too much sodium, or more than the suggested 2,300 milligrams per day, may jeopardize your heart health long term, says the American Heart Association. Still, if you're only eating McDonald's once or twice a week, Brondo suggests you don't have to be too concerned.
“If you really enjoy burgers, eating them occasionally is perfectly fine as part of a healthy balanced lifestyle, even if you are trying to lose weight, because the impact of one or two burgers over time can be minimized if you are doing other healthy things that counter its effects,” adds Dr.
“The fattier beef will add more calories to your burger,” she explains. “There could also be binders in the ground beef patty such as egg or bread crumbs, and with the addition of toppings (hello, cheese and bacon) and a refined-grain bun, this all adds up to a high-calorie meal in one sandwich.”
Compared to hamburger patties, the grilled chicken counterparts at most quick serve restaurants have about 50-60% fewer calories, 80-90% less fat, and more than 90% less saturated fat.
Pound for pound, chicken is the choice that gives you fewer calories and saturated fats compared with beef. However, that's inverted if you're considering a deep fried chicken burger, such as the Crispy Louisiana or the Southern Chicken.
“Fast food and junk food are essentially the same thing,” she said. “Fast foods from McDonald's or Wendy's and pre-packaged junk food, such as potato chips and other snacks, provide little to no health benefits. They're fast, easy to get and generally unhealthy.”
Five of the most unhealthy fast food options
Burger and fries: A typical double cheeseburger and large fries provides about 1,200 calories and up to 1,700 milligrams of sodium. Make it a combo with a large soda, and you'll top 1,500 calories.
1. Hamburger. A plain hamburger at McDonald's contains 250 calories, which means it's one of the lowest-calorie items on the menu. It also contains 12 grams of protein, a macronutrient that can help curb cravings and keep you feeling full between meals ( 1 ).
If you choose beef, choose 90 percent lean or higher. Bison and venison are also leaner red meat choices. Poultry such as ground turkey or chicken can be higher in saturated fat and calories if dark meat and skin are used in the mix. If you choose to use ground chicken or turkey, look for breast only.
They tend to have amber traffic lights for salt and fat, which means we should eat them in moderation. Still, they count towards the two portions of fish we're all encouraged to eat each week, and are generally a healthier choice than some other convenience options like burgers or pizza.
Which Is Healthier to Order Out: a Burger or Fried Chicken? We've all heard about limiting red meat intake, but in this case, a beef burger is usually better, says the Cleveland Clinic's Kristin Kirkpatrick, M.S., R.D. Both are high in fat and calories, but the chicken loses for a few reasons.
Fried foods are typically high in trans fats
In fact, trans fats are associated with an increased risk of many diseases, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity (6, 7 , 8). Since fried foods are cooked in oil at extremely high temperatures, they are likely to contain trans fats.
High-temperature cooking methods, such as grilling, can cause the formation of heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, compounds that might increase cancer risk, according to the National Cancer Institute. Keep the flame low, and flip burgers frequently to prevent these substances from forming.
Pizza is not only delicious but can also be a healthy meal choice when thought is put into its preparation. Though many frozen and fast-food varieties tend to be high in calories, fat, sodium and other unhealthy ingredients, pizza can be made healthier.
The answer, according to scientists, lies in meat's unique mixture of fat and umami (more about this taste later), spiced up in a process called the Maillard reaction — the browning that happens when we cook a piece of meat.
Packs on the Pounds
Those burgers, fries, and shakes usually have more fat, calories, and highly processed carbs than your body needs in one meal. This can quickly lead to weight gain and obesity if you eat it often.
250 Cal. The Classic McDonald's Hamburger starts with a 100% pure beef patty seasoned with just a pinch of salt and pepper.
Meat can be a part of a healthy weight loss diet. The key is to eat lean meats with higher protein content and less saturated fat content. You may also want to stay away from processed meat. Processed meats contain high levels of sodium and saturated fat.