If you’re careful about what you eat, you probably don’t frequent chains like McDonald’s or Burger King, but where do you go when you want a burger? There are several higher-end and “farm-to-table” burger chains popping up, advertising their “all natural”, “organic” and “grass-fed” burgers. So I had to find out, are they really legit? Are they serving GMO ingredients? Do they really serve grass-fed burgers? Or, is their meat really just from a filthy factory farm with a slick marketing campaign?
We reached out to over a dozen burger chains on a quest to find a better burger… and were shocked by our findings.
After investigating how food is produced and raised in this country, one of the first commitments I made was to stop eating “factory farmed” meat. That’s why I usually opt for veggie burgers and vegan dishes when eating at restaurants, where almost all the meat is “conventionally” grown on a factory farm. Whether I’m eating at home, a friend’s house, or at a restaurant – I try my best not to eat meat unless I know it wasn’t grown in some dirty feedlot in horrible conditions.
Why to avoid burgers made with “conventional” beef…
Most cattle in this country live crammed together in inhumane living conditions (aka “factory farm”), subsisting on a diet of chemical-laden GMO grains (instead of grass) which makes them bulk up fast for mass production and an early slaughter. They are further fattened up with added hormones (linked to cancer), growth stimulating drugs, and antibiotics – a system fraught with numerous environmental and health problems.
When you eat conventional meat, you’re probably eating hormones, antibiotics, resistant bacteria, steroids, and chemicals created by the fear and stress suffered by the animal during slaughter.
This is NOT how we should be raising animals for food. These animals are not healthy. And when we eat animals that are not healthy – we become unhealthy. If you want to change the food industry, your body, and get healthy, you have to make the commitment to stop eating conventional (factory farmed) meat.
If you eat beef – only choose 100% grass-fed. Here’s why…
Raising cattle on grass takes too long for the typical factory farm. When cows are raised on grass, they aren’t eating “Roundup Ready” GMO corn and candy like Skittles to fatten them up insanely fast.
Cows’ digestive systems are not designed to easily process starchy foods like corn and candy, and these can make conventional cows sick. That’s one reason why grass-fed cows are rarely given antibiotics. They are less likely to get sick, spending more time outdoors and not in a crowded and filthy feedlot. Sustainably raised grass-fed beef is also less likely to harbor deadly bacteria, such as E. coli and S. aureus (a bacteria that produces a toxin that is not easily destroyed by cooking).
100% grass-fed cows are fed grass and forage that grows on the pasture during the growing season, and during the winter they’re fed hay and compacted grass. This has a major effect on the nutrient composition of their meat. These cows produce meat with significantly more omega-3 fatty acids and almost twice as much CLA (a fatty acid that is good for you and associated with fat loss). It’s also packed with more vitamins A and E than conventional beef.
That being said… some grass-fed beef is a fraud.
Sometimes “grass-fed cows” are moved off the pasture and into a feedlot where they’re fed GMOs and live in the same horrible conditions as conventional cows before slaughter. Meat from these cows can still be called “grass fed” because this term is not properly defined by the USDA. That’s why ultimately you want to look for meat that is certified 100% grass-fed and finished.
Unfortunately most restaurants do not serve 100% grass-fed burgers and there is a lot of greenwashing going on – so you’ve really got to do your homework and search them out.
There are some options that sound better than the typical burger place…
You’ve got Shake Shack’s “100% all-natural Angus beef”… Five Guys “handcrafted” burgers… Red Robin’s “gourmet” burgers… Smashburger’s “fresh, never frozen beef”…
That all sounds nice, but be aware that terms like 100% pure beef, all-natural, Angus, gourmet, free range, and handcrafted really don’t tell ya a whole lot.
These terms DO NOT mean…
- That it is grass-fed.
- That it is organic.
- That it is non-GMO.
- That it was humanely raised.
- That it was raised without antibiotics.
- That it was raised without growth promoting drugs.
- That it was raised without added hormones.
- That it has never seen the inside of a factory farm.
Sometimes a burger is labeled as “Natural” and actually does mean some of those things.. but often that’s not the case.
According to USDA regulations, you can call your meat “Natural” if it’s minimally processed and has no artificial ingredients in the meat itself. This applies to most fresh meat, so that’s why the natural label doesn’t mean much.
As for “Certified Angus”, this is just a breed of cattle that has met some quality requirements, none specifying how the cows were raised. When a hamburger has “100% pure beef” that simply means that no other meats were added to the burger patty – it’s just beef.
In all these instances, this beef could be (and likely is) conventional. Don’t fall for these marketing terms! Instead, look for burgers made with organic ingredients and 100% grass fed and finished beef.
Here’s what we uncovered about these “healthier” burger chains…
Shake Shack – They admitted to us, “our beef is produced within the conventional farming industry and is not GMO free”. Although they never use hormones or antibiotics, it is still grain-finished. They refused to provide complete ingredient lists for their food, but confirmed the ShackSauce contains canola oil (high risk GMO ingredient) which is “not listed as “non-GMO.” Something to note: I always refuse to eat at any establishment that hides their ingredients from consumers.
Smashburger – The beef at Smashburger is “pasture-fed corn finished”. That means it is not 100% grass-fed. And, it may have been raised with hormones and antibiotics. They told us, “There may be hormones used in the growth of the beef cattle. We do not specify or source hormone free beef. Antibiotics may be used in both our ground beef and chicken as a precautionary step to prevent illness. They are not used as part of a regular or routine process. We do not specify that either product be antibiotic free.” What they are sprinkling on top of those burgers is not very good either. Smashburger’s burger seasoning is packed hidden MSG additives like hydrolyzed proteins and yeast extract, which cause you to eat more than you should and are linked to health issues. They sent us the ingredients in their food (oddly listed in alphabetical order), but you can see their burgers are PACKED with controversial additives… (and see what’s in their fries here)…
Five Guys – The beef is grain-fed. They told us via email their beef comes from cattle “mainly raised on corn” and “a diet… that includes vitamins, corn, and etc”, who “will be administered Anabolic Steroids only if the animal gets sick and needs to be nursed back to health”. When pressed for more information on antibiotics, Five Guys said animals may receive antibiotics if sick and not “without good reason”. They only provided a partial ingredient list for their buns, claiming their bread is “proprietary”, but admit it’s “not GMO free” and contains soy.
Carl’s Jr. – Contacting Carl’s Jr. was like talking to a brick wall. They did not respond (at all) to multiple undercover emails and phone calls. They apparently do not want to discuss their meat which makes me want to run far away from this place and never look back. We were told when we called that they’re in the process of discontinuing their “All-Natural Burger” (which was made with grass-fed beef without hormones, steroids, or antibiotics) – so now you’ll only be able to buy their burgers made with conventional beef. No thanks. Just look at all those nasty additives and high fructose corn syrup in their burgers…
Red Robin – According to Red Robin’s website, “Our Gourmet Burgers are made with all-natural, domestic, Government-inspected beef.” In other words – it’s conventional. They told us, “We do not mandate our suppliers to use GMO free food. We also do allow our suppliers to treat sick animals with antibiotics.” The Red Robin sesame seed buns are filled with high fructose corn syrup and soybean oil.
The Habit Bar & Grill – The beef is “corn fed”, not grass fed and not organic. They refused to provide ingredients in their burger, but we were able to confirm that the seeded bun contains soybean and cottonseed oils (both high risk GMO ingredients).
In-N-Out Burger – The meat comes from one of the largest factory farms. I posted a video of what it looks like on Instagram – check it out here. Critics call it “cowschwitz” because thousands of cows can be seen crowded and walking in their own excrement. After our investigation and working together with consumer advocacy groups, In-N-Out told the media that they’re phasing out routine antibiotics – but there is no timeline. They still do not publish their ingredients online and hide the ingredients in their burgers.
Culver’s – I recently asked on Facebook where you like to get burgers, and this spot was the winner. I’m really sorry to say that Culver’s burgers come from cows that live in a feedlot during the last few months of their lives, where they are given hormones and eat corn/grain diets. They also may be administered antibiotics if deemed necessary. Culver’s buns are also made with high fructose corn syrup, soybean oil, and additives like DATEM and artificial flavors.
Umami Burger – The beef is grass fed, but grain-finished. Umami said that although they have “antibiotic free” meats available from their supplier, they don’t request those and “most of them use antibiotics”. Although they don’t use MSG additives in their food, they wouldn’t provide us with a list of ingredients.
These chains serve better burgers, but you might want to BYOB “Bring Your Own Bun”…
Elevation Burger – They are doing the right thing as far as their meat goes in sourcing 100% organic grass-fed beef and organic chicken… but I hate to tell ya that the rest of their burger ingredients are pretty horrible. I was incredibly disappointed to find that only their meat is organic, and their buns and toppings are full of additives. Elevation’s buns and sauces are not verified Non-GMO, so they may contain GMOs. They really could do better by cleaning up the ingredients, stopping the use of soybean oil in practically everything, getting those artificial colors out of their sauce, and serving organic buns. Elevation Burger’s “Veggie Patty” isn’t a good option either because it’s not organic and spiked with “autolyzed yeast extract” a hidden form of MSG. A better option is their organic “Vegan Patty”, but ultimately if I ate at Elevation burger, I would stick with their Elevation Salad (sans their dressing) instead of a burger. You could top that with organic grilled chicken tenders or an organic burger without the bun and toppings. Another option would be a lettuce wrapped burger, without the Elevation Sauce.
BareBurger – The meat is completely grass-fed and finished and not given antibiotics or hormones. But, where I really get hung up is on their buns. Corporate offices didn’t respond to several emails asking for the ingredients in their bun, whether it is organic, and if they use any GMO ingredients. One restaurant told us the buns are NOT organic. Another restaurant told us the brioche buns contain sugar, margarine, soy oil, and canola oil which are all high risk GMO ingredients. I’d say the healthiest option is to wrap your burger in a nutrient packed organic collard leaf (they have this option) and skip the bun. Beware that they serve the “Impossible Burger” as a vegan option which is made with SLH (soy leghemoglobin), a new protein made in a lab with GMO yeast. This protein has never been in our food before and even the FDA has questioned its safety.
B.Good – They are transparent about their suppliers and use (partially) grass-fed beef without antibiotics or hormones. That being said, sadly they are not organic and their beef is grain-finished. Their buns are also not organic and contain GMO sugar. B.Good is doing some good things and are far better than most chains, but I would love to see them go organic and 100% grass fed. I personally love their salads and bowls.
BurgerFi – The meat is grass-fed and grain finished, and they never use antibiotics or growth hormones. We have contacted them for ingredients and will update when we hear back from them.
Questionable veggie burger ingredients…
Next Level Burger – This vegetarian burger place uses organic buns and toppings, but beware that not everything is organic. Their “house-made” burger patties are organic, but the “meaty patty” is not. I want to love this place, but they said their ingredients are “confidential and proprietary”, so we have no clue what additives may be lurking in there. (We are still trying to obtain ingredients (we contacted the owner), and will update this post if they disclose).
Amy’s Drive-Thru – This vegetarian 100% organic fast food place is pretty great (but with reservations). They provide ingredient lists at the register, so you can see exactly what you’re ordering. They are good in a pinch, but beware their burgers contain some unhealthy ingredients like hydrolyzed soy protein and soybean oil.
When I get a burger, this is where I go…
Farm Burger – The beef is 100% grass fed and finished and never fed antibiotics or growth hormones. Their buns are not organic, but they are baked locally without additives. They also have amazing chicken burgers! I hope you’re lucky enough to have one of these in your area, I love this place.
True Food Kitchen – For their beef burgers, they use sustainably-raised 100% grass-fed beef and an exclusive Dave’s Killer Bread bun. They did tell us though that the bun is not organic and that they follow the Dirty Dozen for their produce. When I’m traveling I love to eat here. I personally prefer to eat their turkey burger.
Usually, the best burgers are not found at chains!
Seek out local farm-to-table restaurants in your area. If that isn’t an option, your best bet is to buy some grass-fed beef from local farmers or Butcher Box (my partner) and make burgers at home. Butcher Box is offering an exclusive $10 off + 2 lbs grass-fed ground beef free (for a limited time to new customers).
Questions to ask your local burger place…
- Is your beef 100% grass fed and finished?
If the answer is NO, it likely was raised on some grains or GMO feed. You can also ask:
- What is your policy on antibiotics in the raising of your meat?
- Is your beef raised with growth hormones?
- Can I see the complete ingredient list for your burger?
Consider eating less meat and choose veggie burgers…
Our demand for beef is escalating out of control and the only way that we can transition to more sustainable farming methods is for all of us to eat less meat.
Do you know someone who loves burgers? (I know you do!) Share this post with them and encourage them to seek out a better burger next time they go out.
Let’s all stop eating factory farmed burgers together, okay?
Xo,
Vani
Very informative and excellent resource as its very hard to know for sure what you are really eating regardless what is on the label.
Thank you Rhonda
Are you going to one or have you done one on just veggie burgers that I missed. *Love that hydrolyzed soy protein whatnot…
Hi, thanks for your great work on this. I am curious to know your thoughts on kosher beef and chicken and if you ever done any investigative work on the more popular brands i.e. Empire.
Have you read The China Study? By Dr. T Campbel et al. Or have you seen What the Health?
These are excellent references for true north health and longevity.
Warmly,
Dr. David
What I find shocking is your derogatory reference to Auschwitz and the explanation for this in your In-N-Out review. Very hurtful and insulting to all who suffered the consequences of the European Holocaust and all other Genocides, including those currently happening.
I’m SO VERY disappointed you saw nothing wrong with including this awful reference. There are certain events which should NEVER be referenced in derogatory manners. You should know better and that you don’t seem to is quite telling, actually
Ok Siggy.
I thought that the reference was perfectly appropriate. Most likely you are not a victim of genocide anyway just sitting in your arm chair critiquing others, looking for a reason to be offended. Instead of criticizing a person who is providing us with useful information and doing all of the work why don’t you stop looking for reasons to be offended and go do something useful. If the Jews who built Israel were as delicate as you are they’d all still be sitting around crying in the countries that persecuted and murdered them ! The fact that you are such a judgmental ass is quite telling really .
you do understand English?
Thank you all for you “intelligent”and “thoughtful” replies from arm chairs, while knowing nothing about me. By all means, continue to think it’s appropriate to use terms like cowschwitz where animals walk around in their own waste, in equal comparison to human death camps
where millions of people were and continue to be to tortured and murdered because of their heritage. How human of you
jeez…a sjw.
With respect, I think you’re blowing this out of proportion. Food Babe didn’t coin the term; it’s used by critics of that particular CAFO. And I find the comparison to sentient animals imprisoned in inhumane conditions and then slaughtered is fairly accurate and does not diminish the horrors endured at aushwitz.
THE FIRST 3 LETTERS WERE COW, NOT AUW.PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT YOUR READING.
I love to see this kind of compassion, but it this case it is misplaced. The reply to this ridicules remark can be answered in one simple sentence.
“Nazi” – “National Socialist” were in reality the “Zionist” (Joos).
What you think you know about Auschwitz. You don’t.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKjPRjEsoviLB7tXwEUPtZfi3OMBtRCV4
As a Jew, I find nothing wrong with her statement. Nothing derogatory was said or implied at all. The chain chose the name and she explained the reference to “schwitz” simply without prejudice. Otherwise, non-Jews would not understanding the takeoff of Aushwitz. The cows are lined up for slaughter as the Jews were during the Holocaust at Auschwitz.
I’d be among the first to chastise if anything was said that was inappropriate. Chill out and realize this site is here to inform and help. She deals with people around the world and has common sense not to insult anyone. In a world of haters, this site is calming and accepting.
What do you find derogatory about this comment? Did it hurt your understanding of … feelings? These animals are treated like the people of the alleged holocaust. I wasn’t there and can not say what happened but I am smart enough to know that the victors write the (his)story. All I can say is that modern conventional farming ( Also Know AS Factory Farming) is not the answer.
Hey. We have three restaurants in Portland Oregon serving 100% grass fed beef, local sourdough bun with NO additives, real sourdough gluten free buns from a local bakery as well. Just wanted you to know. 🙂 Dickskitchen.com dicksprimalburger.com
Are you being honest? My goodness, these replays have been horrible. I’m believing you AND hoping to visit this establishment, on your sat’so.
What about Chilis Burgers? They are offering grass fed beef for a small up charge.
I think Chili’s took that option off their menu. We always upgraded our burgers and the one in CO does not offer it any more.
Norman Brinker who owns the Chilies chain started with Steak & Ale, Bennigan’s and other successful restaurants is a most incredible man. He would be very open for advise on how to turn around his business by offering his clients the best, finest and most healthy foods in the world. You should approach him an tell him that i told you to call/visit with him, James Gribble (THE ONE WHO PLAYED GIN RUMMY WITH HIM ON HIS PARTNERS PLANE WHEN WE ALL RETURNED FROM WEST PALM BEACH AFTER WE SET UP HIS CONDO MANY YEARS AGO!)
Chili’s had the best mushroom burger I’ve ever had. I haven’t one in a long time.
The rush to GMO is bad and dangerous. Any time you try to alter nature you asking for trouble. The manifestation is every where with cancer running rampant in the general population . I work in a grocery store and see stuff that Americans to love eat .Their eating habits is terrible . They always go for the junk food , like the soda, potato chips and candy. This information on healthy choice on burgers will not make much difference.
Have you checked out Two Toots restaurants? Supplied by Bill Kurtis’ ranch, all grass fed, as I understand it.
Never heard of it… You could always ask them the questions at the end of the post though 🙂
Have you checked with Good Times Burgers in Colorado. They absolutely promise that
their burgers are 100% grass fed, no hormones or antibiotoics and non-gmo etc. I have
to admit they are pretty good. I would like to know for sure.
Yes please let us know about GOOD TIMES see only fast food place I will go to in Boulder I’ve been led to believe they are the true thing grass fed no anabiotic’s ETC ??
Get off my nuts if I want to spend 5 dollars on a burger who are you to tell me whats in my burger who are you to say what I should and shouldn’t eat
Lena, I want to know! I am 75 years old and no longer Ave any health problems since I changed my diet 20 years ag! Have not been sick since now nor taken any meds… OTC or prescription. Nope, not even an aspirin! I plan to enjoy life, so I want to hear what Vani finds out! Eat what you want… it is your right. But don’t criticize someone who cares enough to find out things most of us don’t know!
Not trying to tell you what or what not to eat – just sharing the facts! The truth hurts, I know.
FB your work is brilliant. This is your best article EVER. I love watching your evolution.
What does it take to get my picture posted on this blog?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dp4tglLfRc
I wish we did not have so many people go off topic on a tangent…please stick to the topic people.
Oh please! What are you a 7 yo?
If you are so insulted why did you bother to take the 10 minutes to read an informative article? I thought it was great.
Lena,
Your a pretty classy lady.
If you don’t care what she has to offer, then
why are you reading her post in the first place?
Omg Lena, you are NUTS! If you don’t want to read the fantastic info Vani has to offer through all of her never ending research, then why are you even on here!! She has been a Godsend to myself and my health! I learn SO MUCH from the Foodbabe with every email she sends. Go order a BIGMAC and get off of her site, you are crazy. You obviously have no interest in good health and good FREE INFORMATION. Don’t bother responding, as there is no one here that would agree with your rediculous comment, you will be crusified by all of us ‘Foodbabe’ website fans. Sign on to some ‘I love gross unhealthy food site’ because you should not even be on here. Bye Bye Lena!
Lena is so obviously a troll so why bother even reacting to her?
No one made you read this post. Everything is a suggestion and completely optional.
You have a choice. Visit this site, or don’t. Read the story, or click X to close the window.
Who is she to tell us what’s in our food? Someone named Food Babe who investigates and writes about it. She shares her findings online. Don’t agree? Buh-bye.
Vani, Does your Tumeric have a COA Certificate of Analysis?
I am interested in products you offer Vani, but I am curious why you did not go with a liposomal product.
Thank you, Vana, for the information and the reminder to be aware and discerning when eating out. Thanks to the companies that respond to your inquiries, even though they may not have all of the “right” ingredients, but it may prompt the thinking to make some healthier food changes to their products.
We purchase grass fed, grass finished heritage red poll beef in bulk each fall. We know the ranchers, we visit the cattle on our annual trip to pick it up in Virginia. Check out Berriedale farms if you live in the vicinity. Fabulous meat but I still leave off the bun….
I would love to know about OUTBACK as I eat their “grass fed burgers.” Thank You for all this good information.
Good question – I’d like to know too, we’ll investigate!
I would also like to know about LongHorn Stake House. I asked the manager and he said there meat were 100% beef.
If you want the ingredients list from Bareburger, tell them you have a food allergy. They have a print out at their restaurants with the ingredients listed for every item on the menu to show to any customer with an allergy.
Thank you so much for your continued excellent work! It is much appreciated!
Thanks, Vani for his article. I appreciate your thorough research. I’ve been hesitant about eating burger meat at all since I read Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser. But I have friends who do love to eat burgers ….
One local restaurant that I wondered about and is not included in your study is The Counter. So I’m wondering: do you have any info on them?
As for me personally, IF I crave a burger, I’d buy grass-fed meat at Whole Foods (or ButcherBox)and cook it myself. But I love to eat a steak rather than chopped at any day….
Thanks for your continued commitment to health. I’m such a fan!!!
June – We didn’t investigate the Counter, but will add it to the list. Appreciate your due diligence on how you choose to eat burgers! 🙂
Thank you for this article/investigation. I’m not a beef burger person but I do enjoy an occasional turkey burger. I also love the salads and bowls at B.goods, especially the zucchini meatballs and zucchini pasta.
Your work has made such a difference for those of us trying to eat healthy.
I have never seen so many poisonous ingredients in all my life. This is why our country is sick with so much cancer and other illnesses. Putting chemicals in food and selling it as food is not food. It’s chemicals that look like food. Have we become so complacent, so apathetic that we don’t think we deserve better than this??? Red dye in burgers, sodium benzoate, high fructose corn syrup, etc… in a burger? We have to set our standards higher. Or we are just paying restaraunts to make us sick. This is just enough to make one very sad. Please do not support restaraunts that are serving toxic food. Boycott all toxic food restaurants until they serve real food with real ingredients.
I eat “clean” most of the time, not a lot of meat. When I eat out in most places the preservatives or something does not agree with me. I ordered Hello Fresh, same thing, I think it is the preservatives and MSG in food now that you order in a restaurant or that you buy. I am going to try Whole Foods, thanks to the readers here. Never thought of trying their meat. Thank you.
Butcher box has been mentioned a couple times in this thread. I love their products for the flavor and convenience and the knowledge that I’m eating real clean meats raised humanely and without feed or additives that make them unhealthy. Pricey but pay the price to avoid future healthcare costs.
Well said John. I couldn’t agree more. We are killing our children and most people have the attitude, I ate it growing up…and I’m just fine. It actually makes me sick. These companies put chemicals and dyes in products that shouldn’t have them, let alone need them. My daughter has been suffering from an infection this week and needs a strong antibiotic. She just turned 8, is healthy, eats healthy etc. Between my husband, myself, and her doctor, we have spent countless hours and two days on the phone with every pharmacy around Vegas trying to find one that is dye free. It’s been impossible. The one she had gotten before two years ago was white grape. For some reason the manufacturer decided to change it, add red #40, blue, yellow, and God knows what else to make it purple!!! WHY? WHY? WHY? No reason for it. MEDICINE doesn’t taste better if it’s purple. Still gross, still medicine. I wish more people could understand how unnecessary these dyes are and how they are killing us. Other countries don’t stand for it, why do we?????
Brilliant!
I was wondering about the The Great American Steakhouse burgers and BGR burgers? How about Omaha Steaks?
I called Omaha steaks and asked if they were organic and 100 percent grass fed and was told “NO”
I never eat meat unless I have purchased and cooked it myself.
I will only eat fish that has been “wild” caught, such as Cod.
Omaha beef is corn fed.
There is something creepy about Omaha Steaks not sure what it is but they dont taste right.
The great American Steakhouse burgers? Omaha Steaks burgers?
Bummer about the Habit (or, ‘Hamburger Habit’ as the locals still call it). The owners, Brent & Bruce grew up and were friends with my family back in the good old days. I was hoping they at least used organic meat.
Great and informative as always! We need a Farm Burger here in Charlotte! I gave up red meat last year but, I think folks here need a better option when they have a craving for a good old-fashioned beef burger!
Thank you Vani for great and informative article
Although sometimes I have a long schedule and lacking time I read your articles whenever I have a chance
You are wonderful and the fantastic job you do in every article we can tell that you just do it with all your heart
Keep up with the fantastic job you do in providing us a very interesting information, very informative and the utmost care you do for all of us
Thanks again
Greets from Canada
Veggie burgers means soy. No way! What about Whataburger? I think they’re a small locally owned chain, but I didn’t see them here.
Veggie burgers do NOT mean soy. What a ridiculous uneducated comment. There is a huge vast array of veggie burgers made without soy, and with whole food plant based ingredients. They are delicious and far better for you, the environment and the poor animals than meat based burgers.
What about “grass-fed” burgers from Steak n Shake
Vani, you mentioned Dave’s Killer Bread bun, I was told it was bought out by another company. Is it still okay to eat their bread? Too many smaller organic companies are being bought out, I wonder if the quality will remain. I know you have the concerns with New Chapter, that’s why you created your own brand.
Looks like nothing here in San Diego. Have gone to the Habit lately as I thought they at least had nongmo good ingredients. We have Fudruckers here that I like but not sure of their beef. Usually order the wild caught salmon burger.
But still the buns???
Don’t eat at restaurants very often so appreciate your info.
Thanks
Lynn P
Go to Burger Lounge! Though not perfect they have the healthiest burger in San Diego. They have other locations in California too 🙂
100% Grass fed beef, and organic cheese!!! I usually go protein style but sometimes I get the gluten free bun. I asked- they use Udi’s brand. Not organic but a lot less weird stuff than the buns listed in this article.
Thank you Vani for all you do. Love you. But honestly, unless a company/website advertises as “100% organic” or at least “GMO free” I don’t even bother anymore. So sick of greenwashing and companies straight up lying! I’ve called/emailed so many places here in San Diego. Anyone wants a list of where I eat let me know. There are like only 4 restaurants I trust. haha
The beef I have with grass-fed clean meats is the prices… $13-14 per pound average! Butcher block price for box 9-10lbs is $129.99 I can afford it but it is still ridiculous!!! I chose less meat and homegrown veggies. But if we want real change to occur in America we have to make it reasonable for younger families. If not we will continue to see cheap fast food win this battle. It is not like this in Europe, good meat, bread and cheese is commonly available for all its citizens. So I know it’s possible. Cost are bit higher but not ridiculous like butcher block. Companies like these are taking advantage of the heath conscience minority in America.
Berger Fresh not mentioned. Only in Ohio I think.
Glad I don’t eat meat, but my husband does and its infuriating what has happened to food, or now frankenfood, all for longer shelf life, less cost and, of course, more profits! The consumers health, or the animals health and well being be damned!
If you ever saw King Corn – it goes into the entire corn business (feed, corn syrup, government funding) and how a cattle’s stomachs cannot digest the very thing that most of them are being fed. It’s very taxing on their system. They are basically dying due to their feed and the antibiotics help slow the process long enough for them to be slaughtered. Its so infuriating when you are looking for grass-fed beef, but almost all of it still states “grain finished”. So, in other words, we fatten them up with this cheap junk right before slaughter. What was the point of being grass-fed then? Just a marketing scheme? And, I wonder, why is it a Federal Law that poultry (chickens, turkey, pork) cannot be given hormones, yet with beef its allowed?
And, don’t get me started on the gum craze along with carageenan. So difficult to find real food, the way it used to be made. Since the 1960’s its been all downhill.
I’ve tried to watch the video https://www.instagram.com/p/BCJfXfUJANO/?taken-by=thefoodbabe
but it only plays the first few seconds then restarts. Instagram has poor coding for browser compatibility. Tried 3 browsers. Is it on youtube?
Pluto TV shows King Corn fairly often. You can get Pluto TV on Roku, or other devices.
King Corn is also on youtube.
Thank you for this comment. Very informative.
I have always wondered about Teds Montana grill. They say everything is grass fed and are famous for the bison burgers.vim just not sure it’s ALL 100% grass fed, my guess is no.
Hi – Thank you SO MUCH for this information. I will share it with many of my family/friends who are burger lovers. I am a resident of Boston, and unfortunately Farm Burger and True Food Kitchen are not local!! Such a bummer. This is why I barely go out and cook at home 99% of the time with high-quality and safe ingredients I buy myself. Thanks for you all you do to advocate for clean food in the US!
What about Burger Lounge?
Hello, I was wondering what about Farmer Boys Restaurant? They claim to have an all 100% natural grass fed burger. Are they real grass fed burgers ?
Why no ratings on Burger King and McDonald’s???
Reading this makes me wonder if Earth Fares “grass fed beef” is truly grass fed?
It’s possible that the Nutrition Action Newsletter from the Center for Science in the Public Interest would do a good piece on this subject, but no one does it like the Food Babe. Absolutely no one! This article is a map through a forest of bad food and I can say if one follows it they will reach the other side and still be alive, at least for a few more years. My sincere thanks to you Vani. You are a bright star in the darkness of the night. I’ve been a vegan since 1985 and my family has a strong history of heart disease. I exercised, jogged for 19 years, watched salt & sugar, ate good fats, didn’t smoke, etc, etc and I recently got heart disease. The cardiologist said that if I had not been a vegan, if I had not been physically active, etc I would have been dead a very long time ago. I will turn 80 in a few months. I still have a 6 pack stomach. good muscle tone and reasonable strength. The doc said my lifestyle saved my life. Vani your article, if followed, will save some lives. All t he best to you.
Thanks for all the information on healthy eating. It is very difficult to dine out not knowing the ingredients of served foods. Zimburgers has a grassfed hamburger and gluten free buns. Wonder if this is for real. Are you familiar with that eating establisment?
Thank you so much for investigating beef, we are traveling and can not find farm burger or true burger,we are in Las Vegas right now, but from mn. What states have the good burgers?
Thanks for the information on Five Guys and Elevation burgers. I had asked both about their buns prior to your checkup in them ( both places use a sesame bun) and I can’t get any buns for my son with sesame ( a tree nut allergy). I gathered that they got buns from a distributor set up by the company. I try to get potato or whole wheat buns. The few times I have brought from either place I get the burgers on a bed of lettuce with onions tomatoes and mushrooms with hot sauce and mustard on the side as they are quarter pound burgers not small. Plus I get to grab as much peanuts in shell as I want at Five Guys. But I haven’t had one from either place in over a year, since I get burgers from Butcher Box
Thanks for the great work and great article despite all the snowflake comments…what about Hopdoddy and Mightyfine?
Thank you very much for sharing this information. I’m sad about Culvers because their burgers taste so good but it’s better to be informed. I won’t be having them again.
What about super duper burgers? One just opened up in my area and they claim to have organic chicken and grass fed beef. Would like to know a little more about them?
Wow I thought elevation was good,but only the meat is organic. Thanks for leaking out the truth on that one. I feel like I was decieved on that one. I’m truly behind your cause food babe keep it up!!
Hi Vani,
What about the grass fed burgers at Bang Bang Burger In Charlotte NC? They also have GF buns that I would love be to have you investigate. Thanks.
Oh gee, now I have to worry about the quarter of a pound of grass fed chop meat I buy at
Whole Foods once in awhile ! It’s such a problem — it’s a horror to go food shopping !
Thanks Babe for the info !!
Gracie
Dont forget in the West coast!
The Organic Coup Foodbabe!
https://theorganiccoup.com/
Thank you for the information!
By chance do you know about Good Times burgers?
Thanks!
-Joshua
Wow Burger in Oregon claims no hormones in their need or chicken.
Thanks Vani for this great info. I’m 74 and careful overall with how and what l eat, Your information will help me make improvements so l can last another 30 years. Many persons of coarse could care less about their personal health, that’s why the McDonald’s and Burger Kings flourish. It looks like your fan base is more intelligent. Thank you again ☺️
We’re all gonna die.
Most cattle in this country live crammed together in inhumane living conditions (aka “factory farm”), subsisting on a diet of chemical-laden GMO grains (instead of grass) which makes them bulk up fast for mass production and an early slaughter. They are further fattened up with added hormones (linked to cancer), growth stimulating drugs, and antibiotics – a system fraught with numerous environmental and health problems.
What is your source for this?
Having lived in Indiana, Florida and Texas, I can state that I have seen cattle living in open pastures and eating grass all day long, and not living crammed together.
I buy Whole foods organic burger and hot dog rolls. They have a few ingredients we could do without but in all my investigation they seem to be the cleanest and one thing I noticed with all their organic bread it doesn’t last long because not many preservatives. Vermont Bread Company Organic is another one that can suffice. The only thing is I cannot find one without creepy canola!!
It seems with this post that most of the decent burgers have awful buns. Bunless is an option too.
For beef I go to my local farmers market , grass feed start to finish lean ground beef 5$ CDN a lb, prime rib steak 10$ a lb stay local help your community.Very flavourful
Great investigation! However, concerning Farm Burgers you say ‘Their buns are not organic, but they are baked locally without additives’. That’s nice…but far too vague. Are thier buns non Gmo?…and what other ingredients do they have? I looked on their website and they do not state anywhere I could find that their buns are indeed non Gmo. Did you contact them with this question? And concerning True Food Kitchen using Dave’s Killer Bread buns. Dave’s breads (although non-Gmo) are still made with Canola oil!