With more people looking to eat healthier, turkey burgers have become a popular alternative to traditional beef burgers. Bubba turkey burgers are a top selling brand of turkey burgers that market themselves as a lean, protein-packed option. But are Bubba turkey burgers really a healthy choice? Let’s take a closer look at the nutrition facts and ingredients to find out.
Nutritional profile of Bubba turkey burgers
Compared to beef burgers, Bubba turkey burgers are lower in calories, total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol. A 4 ounce Bubba turkey burger patty contains:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 140 |
| Total Fat | 3.5 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1 g |
| Cholesterol | 55 mg |
| Sodium | 350 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 2 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugars | 1 g |
| Protein | 21 g |
As you can see, a 4 ounce Bubba turkey burger contains 140 calories, 21 grams of protein, and just 3.5 grams of total fat and 1 gram of saturated fat. It’s also low in carbs and sugar. This nutritional profile is far superior to a standard 4 ounce beef burger, which contains about 280 calories, 18 grams of fat, and 75 mg of cholesterol.
Low in fat and calories
With 140 calories and 3.5 grams of fat per 4 ounce patty, Bubba turkey burgers are one of the leanest protein options out there. Going with a turkey burger instead of a quarter pound beef burger can slash about 140 calories and 15 grams of fat from your meal.
Reducing your intake of saturated fat and cholesterol is recommended to help lower your risk of heart disease. The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat to 5-6% of total daily calories and dietary cholesterol to less than 300 mg per day.
Bubba turkey burgers provide an easy way to meet these recommendations. The 1 gram of saturated fat represents just 5% of the daily value. And the 55 mg of cholesterol is well under the 300 mg limit.
High in protein
With 21 grams of protein per 4 ounce serving, Bubba turkey burgers provide an excellent source of this important nutrient. Protein plays vital roles in building muscle mass and supporting a healthy metabolism.
Studies show that higher protein diets can promote weight loss by reducing appetite and decreasing calorie intake. Protein also helps you retain muscle mass when losing weight.
The 21 grams of protein in a Bubba turkey burger accounts for 42% of the recommended daily value. This makes it an smart choice for athletes, dieters or anyone looking to maximize their protein intake.
Minimal carbs and sugar
At just 2 grams of total carbs and 1 gram of sugar, Bubba turkey burgers are low in carbohydrates. This makes them suitable for low carb and keto diets.
Diets lower in refined carbs and sugar can aid weight loss and are beneficial for blood sugar control and heart health. The low carb and sugar content gives Bubba turkey burgers a nutritional advantage over beef burgers, which typically contain a few more grams of carbs and sugar.
Ingredients in Bubba turkey burgers
When examining the health profile of a food, it’s important to look beyond just the nutrition facts. The ingredients list provides key information about the quality of ingredients used.
Here are the ingredients in Bubba Original turkey burgers:
Turkey breast meat, water, textured vegetable protein (soy protein concentrate, caramel color), seasoning (brown sugar, dextrose, salt, sodium phosphates), sodium diacetate.
Lean turkey breast meat
The first ingredient is turkey breast meat, which is the leanest part of the turkey containing the most protein and least fat. This contrasts with ground beef, which is typically made from fattier trimmings.
Textured vegetable protein
Textured vegetable protein (TVP) is commonly added to turkey burgers to help bind the meat so it holds its shape better when cooking. TVP absorbs flavors well and adds both texture and protein content. It’s made from soy protein concentrate and contains no GMOs.
Minimal additives
Aside from the TVP, the only other ingredients are small amounts of seasoning and sodium diacetate. The short, straightforward list means no preservatives, artificial flavors or colors are used. This makes Bubba turkey burgers a relatively clean, additive-free product.
Downsides of Bubba turkey burgers
While Bubba turkey burgers are lower in fat and calories than beef burgers, there are some downsides to consider:
Low in nutrients
Turkey meat is not as nutritious as beef. Bubba turkey burgers lack many of the vitamins and minerals beef contains. For example, there’s no B12, iron, zinc or selenium. They’re also low in B vitamins.
High in sodium
With 350 mg of sodium per 4 ounce patty, a Bubba turkey burger contains 15% of the daily recommended limit. Eating two burgers would put you over the American Heart Association’s ideal cap of 1,500 mg per day. People with high blood pressure may want to be mindful of sodium intake.
More processed meat
Heavily processed meats like turkey burgers and hot dogs have been linked to a slightly higher cancer risk. Cooking meat at high temperatures can also create carcinogenic compounds. Limiting intake of processed and charred meats is recommended.
Less satisfying
Many people find turkey burgers less satisfying and flavorful than beef. The texture is softer and without seasonings added they can be bland. This may make it harder to stick to turkey burgers long term.
Conclusion
Overall, Bubba turkey burgers can be a healthier alternative to beef burgers for some people but do have some downsides. Compared to beef, they are lower in calories, fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and carbs. The high protein content is beneficial for building muscle and losing fat.
On the other hand, Bubba turkey burgers are low in other nutrients, high in sodium, and don’t provide the same satisfaction as beef for most people. Portion control is still important, as overeating any type of burger can lead to excess calorie intake.
For those looking to reduce their red meat intake and cut calories without sacrificing protein, Bubba turkey burgers can be a tasty option. Just keep sodium and overall intake in check. Enjoying them occasionally as part of an overall balanced diet is likely fine for most healthy individuals.
Those with high blood pressure or following a low sodium diet may want to look for lower sodium options, as the 350 mg per 4 ounce patty is on the high side. And as with any processed meat, it’s wise not to make turkey burgers a daily habit.
At the end of the day, Bubba turkey burgers can be a smart pick in moderation for some. But for many, grass-fed beef burgers in reasonable portions may still be the healthier and more satisfying choice overall.