Satisfy Your Cravings with Backyard Burgers’ Wild Turkey Burger

Burgers are an American classic. The juicy patty sandwiched between a soft bun is a tempting treat that’s hard to resist. But not all burgers are created equal when it comes to nutrition and calories. Fast food burgers loaded with fatty sauces can derail your healthy diet. That’s why the Wild Turkey Burger from Backyard Burgers stands out as a smarter, leaner choice.

An Overview of the Wild Turkey Burger

The Wild Turkey Burger is Backyard Burgers’ healthier take on the traditional burger It replaces the typical greasy beef patty with a lean ground turkey patty. Ground turkey is lower in saturated fat and calories compared to beef.

The patty is topped with traditional burger fixings like lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles, and mustard. It’s served on a toasted white bun to complete the burger experience. Customize it by adding or removing veggies and condiments to your liking.

Nutrition Facts and Calories

Here are the nutrition facts for a Wild Turkey Burger on a white bun according to Backyard Burgers’ website:

• Calories: 600
• Total Fat: 34g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Protein: 35g
• Total Carbs: 43g
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 1930mg

A few things stand out about these nutrition stats

• High in protein. With 35g of protein, this turkey burger provides over half the recommended daily intake to help you stay full and recover after exercise.

• Lower in fat than beef. 34g of total fat is less than what you’d typically find in a beef burger, since ground turkey is leaner.

• Somewhat high in sodium. The 1930mg of sodium equals over 80% of the daily value, so those limiting salt should consider alternatives.

Overall the Wild Turkey Burger contains a pretty reasonable 600 calories and a decent nutritional profile for a burger. The high protein and lower fat make it a reasonably healthy choice.

How the Wild Turkey Burger Compares

To put the Wild Turkey Burger’s calorie count into perspective, here’s how it stacks up against some other popular burgers:

• McDonald’s Big Mac: 563 calories
• Burger King Whopper: 660 calories
• Wendy’s Baconator: 970 calories
• Red Robin Gourmet Cheeseburger: 1120 calories

The Wild Turkey Burger clocks in at 600 calories, which is a bit less than a Big Mac or Whopper. It has significantly fewer calories compared to ultra-indulgent burgers like the Baconator.

And compared to other turkey burgers, it’s similar or slightly lower in calories:

• Hardee’s Charbroiled Turkey Burger: 530 calories
• Carl’s Jr. Charbroiled Turkey Burger: 650 calories
• Bareburger Turkey Burger: 635 calories

So Backyard Burgers’ version remains moderately low in calories for a turkey burger from a chain restaurant. Homemade turkey burgers can range from 300-500 calories depending on size and toppings.

Tips for Enjoying Guilt-Free

The Wild Turkey Burger can satisfy your burger craving without excess calories, fat, or sodium with these tips:

• Opt for a lower carb lettuce wrap instead of the bun to slash carbs.

• Load up on veggie toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles instead of cheese.

• Skip the mayo-based spread and use mustard as the condiment to limit added fat.

• Choose a side salad instead of fries to accompany your burger.

• Ask for the burger to be prepared without salt to reduce the high sodium levels.

• Share the burger or eat half the bun to cut calories and carbs in half.

• Balance with lighter meals for the rest of the day to account for the 600 calorie burger.

Why Turkey is Healthier than Beef

So what makes ground turkey a better choice than beef for burgers? Here are some of the health perks:

• Lower in fat and calories: Ground turkey can have about half the fat and calories as lean ground beef depending on the leanness. This keeps overall calorie counts down.

• Less saturated fat: The type of fat matters, and turkey contains less artery-clogging saturated fat than beef.

• More iron: Ounce for ounce, turkey delivers more than double the iron compared to beef. Iron carries oxygen throughout the body.

• Immune boosting selenium: Turkey is one of the best sources of selenium, a mineral that promotes a healthy immune system.

• Versatile and affordable: Ground turkey works great in dishes from burgers to meatballs, tacos, pasta sauce, and more. It’s also budget friendly.

As long as you read labels and choose the leanest ground turkey, it makes a nutritious alternative to beef with impressive health benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a turkey burger healthier than a beef burger?

Yes, turkey burgers are generally healthier than beef burgers. Turkey is lower in saturated fat and calories while being higher in protein. However, food prep method and toppings still impact the nutrition.

Are there any downsides to eating turkey burgers?

Turkey burgers can be a bit dry since turkey is lean. To prevent dryness, don’t overcook them. Also choose thighs or a dark meat blend rather than just breast meat for added moisture.

What’s the healthiest burger at a fast food chain?

For a classic burger, the turkey burgers at Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. are lower in fat and calories than beef burgers. For plant-based, Burger King’s Impossible Whopper is one of the healthier fast food burgers.

Should you avoid eating the bun with a turkey burger?

It’s fine to enjoy your turkey burger on a bun, especially a whole grain variety. Just be mindful of portions. Eating open-faced, using a lettuce wrap, or sharing the bun are ways to cut refined carbs.

Is it okay to add cheese on top of a turkey burger?

Adding a slice of cheese is fine. Just account for the extra 70-80 calories and fat per ounce of cheese. Limiting cheese to 1 slice or less keeps turkey burgers relatively light.

Enjoy the indulgence of a juicy, flavorful burger without the excess calories and fat of typical beef burgers. The Wild Turkey Burger from Backyard Burgers offers a lighter take on this classic comfort food. With high protein, lower saturated fat, and reasonable calories for a filling, meaty meal, it’s a satisfying way to curb fast food cravings.