Patient satisfaction scores are important to food service management workers, which is why you probably strive to provide patients with food that is both delicious and healthy. So how do hamburgers play into this? Well, unfortunately the traditional burger made with red meat can be high in saturated fat and cholesterol – not a healthy option for people recovering from surgery or an illness.
Thankfully,healthier burgers are just as tasty as the real thing. Here are some suggestions to get you going.
Salmon burgers – Salmon is always a great meal choice because it’s packed with omega-3 fatty acids. This type of fat has been shown to help boost heart health, unlike saturated fats found in other foods. Better Homes and Gardens magazine recommended combining herb-seasoned crackers and Dijon-style mustard with the fish to help hold the burgers together.
Black bean burgers – If you want to make a burger without red meat – but you still want it to taste like a traditional burger – craft one out of black beans. According to The Huffington Post, a mashed black bean burger mixed with onion, garlic and chilies is not only high in iron, fiber and a number of vegetables and minerals, but it’s also likely to be cholesterol- and fat-free.
Mushroom burger – Portobello mushrooms are another delicious beef alternative. You can grill these with a little bit of olive oil and serve them on a bun with lettuce, tomato and onion.
Falafel burger – Does your hospital menu have options for vegan patients? If so, you may want to add falafel burgers to it. A falafel patty is made by combining chickpeas, onions, lemon juice and spices to create a crispy, tasty burger that goes great with tahini sauce or some simple mayonnaise.
Turkey burgers – Turkey is a classic beef alternative because it’s lower in fat and calories. If you want to make a turkey burger that everyone is sure to get excited about, try creating a “Thanksgiving burger” by adding cranberry sauce to it. Just make sure that the sauce is low in sugar.
Chicken burgers – Low-fat ground chicken is another great burger base. If you want to infuse a little extra flavor to this dish, The Huffington Post recommended adding a quarter cup of pesto and a quarter cup of parmesan cheese to each pound of chicken you use .
Veggie burgers – Italian bread crumbs, carrots and onions can be chopped up and combined to make a delicious vegetarian burger that’s extremely low in fat. This is sure to please both vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.
You should keep that quote in mind when crafting new items for your menu, whether you’re coming up with a different kind of burger, or any other menu item that may normally involve meat.