Sometimes you just need to order a burger at a restaurant. Gigi Hadid has said it’s how she “stays sane.” I’m not sure I would it *that* far, but when the hankering comes on, you just need to satisfy it. It’s just an American right; a YouGov study found that three in five (61%) of Americans say that a burger is part of their ideal barbecue plate, with the most popular toppings being lettuce, cheese and ketchup.
But health experts warn that you should watch the toppings or add-ons–especially the sauces!–to keep this indulgence in check. There’s one dressing, particular, that nutritionists say should be avoided at all costs. What is it?
Thousand Island Dressing
“It has mayonnaise, which is high in unhealthy fats and calories, as well as ketchup which is high in sugar,” warns functional medicine health coach Leeann Rybakov.
“This burger secret sauce definitely holds a few secrets including its high fat, corn syrup, and chemical preservatives content,” Joy Dixon, MPH, CHC, agrees.
The good news is you can add tons of flavor in lieu of this unhealthy sauce when cooking at home.
“For a lighter flavor, try olive oil and sprinkle nutritional yeast on your dish to add a savory cheesy flavor,” Joy says.
