Carbohydrates are everywhere, in virtually every convenience food and they even hide in some types of foods and snacks that you actually think are healthy (until you read the ingredient list). Part of the problem with managing a healthy body weight, is that refined carbohydrates (the bad kind of sugar molecules) are so entrenched in everything we eat, that our bodies literally struggle from sugar overload.
How big is the carbohydrate dietary problem in the United States? According to an article published by The Mayo Clinic, and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, carbohydrates should make up about 45% to 60% of our daily dietary intake. If the average person eats about 2,000 calories a day, that’s about 225 to 325 grams of carbohydrates from all sources, including fiber from natural sources like fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains. Individuals with health conditions like diabetes are required to restrict carbohydrates to less than 150 grams per day for good health.
The real problem is that while we think we are eating a 2,000 calorie per day diet, most Americans are eating far more than that, and the scales between fiber, protein and carbohydrates are radically skewed, thanks in part to a big increase in fast-food and processed grocery store items and convenience meals. Americans eat an average of over 3,600 calories per day, according to many recent health studies.
So, does that mean that you can’t enjoy your favorite home-grilled grass-fed Free Graze burger? Absolutely not. Many of the proteins, vitamins and minerals your body needs are provided in a high quality serving of grass-fed beef. But if you are trying to lose weight, or reduce your daily carbohydrates, you may have to ‘think outside the bun’ and innovate some new meal ideas that take your Free Graze burger to a whole new level of healthy.
Ready to get inspired? Explore some of our delicious, nutritious and healthy burger meal ideas that involve no bun, but all the great flavors of a satisfying Free Graze burger! Because when you think about it, the bun really is optional, and designed to ‘keep everything together’, but you can still enjoy all the flavors by piling your favorite healthy toppings high on your plate.
Bacon and Egg Breakfast Burger
More protein! For most Americans, our diet consists of refined carbohydrates and not enough fiber, or healthy proteins. And one of the most difficult meals of the day to balance a Paleo diet is always breakfast. Cooking proteins takes time, and in the morning when you are rushing out the door to work or trying to get your family ready and in the car for school, that cooking time seems a lot harder to manage.
Burgers seem like an unlikely breakfast food, until you consider how healthy a grass-fed burger is, and how easy it is to prepare. For instance, did you know that you can oven-bake our Free Graze burgers? Simply follow the directions on the bag and use a meat thermometer to make sure they are cooked to consistency. You can lightly spray a cooking sheet, place a few patties in the oven, set a timer and walk away to get ready, while your healthy breakfast protein cooks.
But a breakfast burger is nothing like the kind of burger you’d eat for lunch or prepare at home for dinner. Top it with a fresh or microwaved egg and add a little ketchup (and bacon) and you have a really hearty breakfast that will fuel you through to lunchtime.
The combination of the freshly cooked egg yolk, the beef and bacon are delicious and nutritious. No bun required! And if you really have a hearty appetite, consider using two completely fried eggs (break the yolk) as your high-protein bun instead. Don’t forget the cheddar or American cheese, to help hold it all together.
Lettuce Wraps
We’re pretty sure that the lettuce wrap burger idea was innovated in California, where just about every healthy version of American food emanates from. We aren’t sure who invented it, but what we are sure about is that you won’t even miss the bun, when you master the ability to use certain types of lettuce to substitute for your burger (with all the toppings).
But not all lettuce types are up to the challenge of a true burger wrap, and you may have to shop around for some varieties that will not wilt or rip under the pressure of your condiments, onions, fresh tomato and cheese. Boston lettuce is our pick, because it is has a fresh but neutral taste, and high-wilt threshold that will help keep your burger together. Bib lettuce is also good (but can be a little hard to find in some areas) and has a similar texture and flavor profile.
Ham Steaks
Head to the meat section of any grocery store, and to the prepared sandwich meat section, and you’ll probably find what look like large thick slices of ham. These cuts are ready to eat and cured and have the right consistency to create something really delicious, if you want to bypass the bun on your Free Graze grass-fed burger.
Take a large circular cookie cutter (if you have one) or a wide mouth coffee cup or beverage glass and cut out the shape of your meaty burger bun substitute. Heat them briefly in the oven or the microwave to a warm (but not hot) temperature. Then prepare your burger on the grill or in the oven and use the ham slices as a really delicious alternative. Adding cheese on the top and the bottom of your burger will help keep it in place, which is a great solution if you really love your burger extra meaty and cheesy.
What is your favorite way to eat Free Graze premium grass-fed beef (or turkey) burgers without a bun? Have you ever tried to make a burger for breakfast? We’d love to hear your recipe suggestions and burger hacks. Share a link and a comment below and let us know if you follow a Keto or Paleo, or medically supervised diet, and how you create healthy meals with premium antibiotic and hormone free burgers.
