Veggie Burgers

[Paul_Heery]

What is the latest on veggie burgers? I am sure that someone from the Pelican brain trust can give me the lowdown.

Over the last 10 weeks, I have lost around 25 lbs. in weight and about five inches off of my waistline. I attribute this to a lot of factors. But, I believe that switching to a primarily (not completely) vegetarian diet has been the most significant lifestyle change that I have made that has helped with the weight loss.

I have found that during the warmer weather one of my favorite lunches has been to simply throw a red pepper, a sliced red onion and a portabella mushroom cap on the grill, wait a few minutes then throw it on a bun. Yum. But, with the colder months coming, I am looking for alternatives.

Does anyone make a good veggie burger? I used to eat them regularly years ago. But, was never too pleased. I am hoping that someone has made advances.

Thanks

[motion]

Congrats on the weight loss! I like Gardenburgers from Costco or Smart and Final. Costco has had some new veggie burgers recently, which are excellent, though a little spicy. Not sure if they have the same stuff out in CT. Might be worth looking into. I also like mahi mahi burgers from Trader Joes.

[Embraer]

the portabella mushroom garden burgers are good. also, Boca Grillers Prime are pretty tasty.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Boca is great - Morningstar makes a number of varieties that are good also and IMHO a bit easier to find.

[gassy]

We make these and they're super tasty.

Chick-Pea Walnut Burgers Recipe at Epicurious.com

[Zeke]

All I eat is veggie patties when it comes to BBQ time and everyone is chowing down on the cow. If I order one at a restaurant, I ask for "well done" otherwise they are gooey.

I used to go to this one place just up the street and they were tossing the veggie patties in the deep fryer then onto the grill. They cook their bacon the same way in the same fryer. Fvk that.

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by Paul_Heery

Over the last 10 weeks, I have lost around 25 lbs. in weight and about five inches off of my waistline. I attribute this to a lot of factors. But, I believe that switching to a primarily (not completely) vegetarian diet has been the most significant lifestyle change that I have made that has helped with the weight loss.

Congrats on the weight loss.

IMO, though, you didn't lose the weight because of a vegetarian diet. At least not directly.

You lost the weight because you have gone on a highly reduced calorie diet. For example, your lunch of "red pepper, a sliced red onion and a portabella mushroom cap on the grill, wait a few minutes then throw it on a bun" has almost no calories, for a typical adult lunch.

If, for example, IMO, you substituted a ground beef patty for the bun on that lunch (which would roughly equal the calories of the bun), you would lose the same amount of weight.

In the past 10 weeks, you have probably also cut out almost all junk foods/sugars, which of course are very detrimental to weight loss.

In other words, while you have lost weight on your particular diet, IMO it's *not* because you have cut out meats/proteins. If you wrote down every single thing you have eaten in the past 10 weeks, my guess is it would show (1) a greatly reduced number of calories than what you were eating before, and (2) a greatly reduced number of carbs that you were eating before.

The problem with vegetarian diets is they tend to focus on "low fat," and low fat diets, while sometimes effective in the short term, are IMO rarely effective in the long run.

Just IMO, from someone who has tried all the diets, but finally "figured it out" and lost 50 lbs 10 years ago, and kept it off.

[Paul_Heery]

Thanks for the replies. There are some good suggestions and I may try a few. But, I am also thinking that I may try to make some of my own as well. The recipe that gassy suggested looks quite interesting.

BTW, I do believe that my weight loss is due to my new diet. I have taken to eating lower-calorie, lower-fat items that still satisfy my urge to eat. I am just as full after eating a bunch of veggies off of the grill as I was before when I would eat a rack of ribs and fries. And I also find the taste much more satisfying. Yes, the carbs are down, but I am also not fighting hunger pangs.

[repp]

Costco has some black bean burgers that are pretty darn good.

[jyl]

Great job!

When you have a chance, add some pics to our "what's for dinner" thread. We could use some good veggie stuff there.

Do note though, that of the weight you've lost, probably 1/2 was muscle and 1/2 was fat. That's the case when people lose weight fast, and >2 lb/wk is very fast. Your body is in a big caloric deficit, and it is burning up stored energy in the form of both fat and muscle.

You should start doing some strength training to help hold on to the muscle. And make sure you are getting plenty of protein.

[rick-l]

They give me the farts big time.

[sammyg2]

I like veggie burgers that are made out of cows and pigs.

[azasadny]

I don't eat red meat, so I eat a lot of veggie burgers. I like avocado on them!

[scottmandue]

BOCA or Garden burger... garden burger are tasty but don't really taste like "burgers"

I'll heat up a BOCA in the microwave... spill a can of chili beans over it... grate cheddar over it... bake in the oven for 10 or 20 minutes.

[Laneco]

Boca 1/4 lb. grillers with a slice of avocado, a bit of cheese and some sprouts.

YUM!

angela

[Spede]

They have veggie burgers on the menu at Burger King in California.

[motion]

Originally Posted by rick-l

They give me the farts big time.

The Costco black bean veggie burgers? I had the same experience

[svandamme]

Not sure if this brand shows up in the US, but i like the Gourmet Garden brand of Soj burgers.



They also have fake meatballs and veggie schnitzels.

I'm not a vegetarian because i don't like meat, i do like it very much.
But i try to eat 1 meatless day a week, for my own improvement and because it's a reduction of resource requirements.


Them burgers are actually pretty good. I've eat meat burgers that taste worse then those. They have a mince meat like structure when you bite em.. And in a bunn with the right sauce.. I do like em very much.

Same for them meatballs... nice structure, better then mistery meat meatballs. one often finds in tv diners and whatnot.
I serve em with rice and curry sauce or some other sauce.

The schnitzels are less on their own.. But When i throw em on a bun with hot ketchup, they work out just fine