Burgers are on the rise.
Formerly confined to fast-food chains, they are now found on the menu in 80% of French brasseries and restaurants, according to the research firm Gira Conseil.
And in eight out of ten establishments that offer it, this American-style sandwich has become the most popular dish for customers, well ahead of steak and fries or pizza.
But beware: whether it is eaten on the go or eaten at the table with cutlery, "the hamburger should not be invited too regularly on our plate", as explained to us by Doctor Cyril Gauthier, a nutritionist, member of the Scientific College of the Ramsay Health Foundation.
Why is the burger the emblem of junk food?
Dr Cyril Gauthier.
Most of the hamburgers marketed are ultra-processed industrial products. They are made with soft and very sweet sandwich bread that quickly raises blood sugar levels, overly salty and sweet sauces packed with additives, as well as poor quality animal proteins, often extremely fatty. In addition, even if it includes half a leaf of salad, a burger provides almost no dietary fiber, vitamins and antioxidants. This type of food thus has a high caloric density for an extremely low nutritional intake. In predisposed people, its frequent consumption can induce in the long run the appearance of a metabolic syndrome with overweight, obesity, type 2 diabetes, excess cholesterol and a significant increase in the risk of cardiovascular disorders.
How then to explain this craze?
Junk food is often associated with comfort in that many parents present fast food to their children as a gift, a reward.
Little by little, a psychic and behavioral addiction develops.
Several serious scientific studies also evoke the establishment of a physiological addiction: adolescents and young adults used to nuggets and hamburgers experience a withdrawal syndrome if they are suddenly deprived of them.
In addition, these soft foods require little chewing.
They can be swallowed in a hurry with more desire than actual hunger.
Eating it regularly ends up disrupting the signals of satiety and fullness emitted by the brain.
Should we therefore ban burgers completely?
The problem is not the product itself but the ingredients with which it is made and how to consume it. It is possible to keep the pleasure of a burger without damaging your health by preparing it yourself at home ... on condition that you do not eat it too often. For a burger of good nutritional quality, it is better to choose a bread made with wholemeal flour, rich in minerals and fiber. Inside, you can opt for a minced steak with 5% maximum fat but also for fish for example. And in order to obtain a balanced complete dish, do not forget to add a lot of raw vegetables and vegetables inside: tomato, salad, zucchini, eggplant, avocado, parsley ...