De Canto’s Best Burger — Quinoa flavored
Since it’s summer and there will be a ton of outdoor parties and barbecues, I’ve decided to compile a list and guide of the top three easy to find and reasonably priced veggie burgers, as well as the “to avoid” burgers and the reasons.
Vegans and vegetarians can email this article to friends and family this summer so they know what to prepare for you on the grill!
How cool is that?
Top 3
1. De Canto’s BestBurger. I just tried this burger and it’s not only 100 percent natural, it’s pretty close to raw. There are limited ingredients in each one. The original has: sunflower seeds, organic brown rice, celery, carrots, squash, onion, red cabbage and seasoning. It’s soy-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, yeast-free, corn-free, wheat-free, oil-free with nothing artificial and low in sodium (only 140 mg!) And it is DELICIOUS, although a little heavy on the stomach — perhaps from the cabbage.
I’m excited that they have a quinoa flavored burger, which I’m dying to try, as quinoa is a complete protein and so very good for you!
2. Dr. Praeger’s California Burger. This was voted the best burger to lose weight by Dr. Oz. And I have to say, even though De Canto’s is a bit healthier, Dr. Praeger’s is my FAVORITE, as it just melts in your mouth. It’s all natural and has all the ingredients you could find in your own cupboard: carrots, onions, string beans, oat bran, soybeans, zucchini, peas, broccoli, corn, soy flakes, spinach, expeller pressed canola oil, red peppers, arrowroot, corn starch, garlic, corn meal, salt, parsley, black pepper.
3. Amy’s. God bless Amy’s, I’ve been using her products for YEARS! The veggie burgers are YUMMY, but they have a bit more sodium than the previous two and they also use a little bit organic cane sugar. However, on the plus side, all ingredients are organic. Note that they do contain soy and corn.
Bottom 3
1. Boca. I never liked these burgers. To me, they are the worst tasting veggie burgers on the market, plus they are loaded with artificial ingredients, cheese and milk.
2. Garden Burger. They taste good, but I haven’t had them in years because they put artificial ingredients in them. They do use dairy in some of their products, but it is kosher. The Veggie Medley and Black Bean are vegan.
3. Morning Star Garden. I don’t think I’ve ever tried these mainly because of all the artificial ingredients. If you can’t pronounce something, it doesn’t belong in your body. I mean, really, what the hell is this stuff?: DISODIUM INOSINATE, DISODIUM GUANYLATE, KONJAC FLOUR … SCARY!
DISCLAIMER TO ALL – While this list is meant to be a healthy guide, do not take your eating so seriously that you do not enjoy life! Nothing is more of a buzz kill than a militant Hitler-esque vegan or health freak that turns his/her nose up to something that isn’t up to his/her high standards.
If someone loves you and invites you over, but picks out the wrong veggie burgers, do yourself a favor and just ENJOY the damn thing! Stress and a bad attitude will have a worse effect on your health than a pinch of DISODIUM INOSINATE will!
Seriously!
LOVE this one Maryanne …especially the “disclaimer” excellent points. The only thing I disagree with is the bottom three, believe me Morning Star is THE WORST by far! Grabbing stomach -BLEK! I’m actually going out to buy some Dr. Praeger’s right now at Trader Joes. (Although I do wish the protein was a bit higher in those.) Happy summer!
Thanks Danny! And like I said, I don’t think I ever tried Morning Star — and after your review, I’m glad I didn’t! Happy summer to you too and enjoy your Dr. Praeger’s — YUM! 🙂
Well said! Dr. Praeger’s are delicious!
Have you had the potato pancakes by Praeger’s? HEAVEN! 🙂
I am impressed that De Canto’s BestBurger only has 140 mg of sodium. Having high blood pressure, that is a difference maker.
Dr. Praeger’s is my favorite, but I haven’t tried De Canto’s. Intrigued!
It has similar ingredients to the Sunshine Burger (which I forgot to mention), but not as dry. I’m a Sunshine Burger fan because of the limited ingredients, but I have to put plenty of sprouts and tomatoes to liven them up 🙂
ohhh, I think Chef AJ mentions the sunshine burger in her book unprocessed. I need to try them too!
I love your advise at the end. Yes there is nothing more annoying than someone with all kinds of dietary demands – I understand if you have true allergies or other medical issues but some go way too far – especially when you are traveling and you are in places where you don’t speak the language and you try to put all these demands on the wait staff of some tiny little hole in the wall place.
On another note thanks for the list. I used to love Garden Burgers, but figured with all the artificial stuff, why bother eating them at all. I’m not a vegetarian, but I don’t like to eat a lot of meat, so when I realized so many of the veggie burgers I was buying were not so healthy, I’d just opt for a meat burger instead. Then of course there were the healthy veggie burgers that tasted like saw dust…. I’ll have to give those you list here a try.
Smart! 🙂
DeCanto’s Best has just introduced there new packaging!! With only 7 ingredients and only 105 mg of sodium. CHECK OUT the NEW and IMPROVED DeCanto’s Best at a Whole Foods near you!
http://Www.DeCantosbest.com
Anywhere else besides Whole Foods? I’m not a Whole Foods fan.
You will be able to buy DeCanto’s Best online soon!
Okay, that is good, No ass-Whole Foods for me. I avoid that place like the plague.