The hamburger patty as we know it originated in Germany in the late 18th century; it was called the Hamburg steak. While hamburgers can be quick and tasty meals, some burger options are high in calories and saturated fat. Knowing the nutrition information for the different types of hamburger patties can help you determine which one is the best choice for your diet.
Calories
The calories in your hamburger patty will vary by the type of meat and the size of the patty. A standard cooked 3 oz. frozen hamburger patty contains 251 calories. By comparison, a fresh 3 oz. hamburger patty made with 95 percent lean ground beef contains 139 calories. If your hamburger is larger than 3 oz., adjust the calories accordingly. For example, the frozen hamburger patty contains 84 calories per ounce and the lean hamburger patty contains 46 calories per ounce, so a 5 oz. frozen hamburger patty has 420 calories and a fresh lean patty has 230 calories.
Fat
The fat content in your hamburger patty will also vary significantly. A frozen hamburger patty contains 18 grams of total fat, 7.5 grams of saturated fat and 71 mg of cholesterol, while the same-sized hamburger patty made with 95 percent lean ground beef contains 5 grams of total fat, 2.3 grams of saturated fat and 65 mg of cholesterol. The frozen patty meets 35 percent of your daily value for saturated fat and 24 percent of your daily value for cholesterol, while the lean fresh hamburger patty meets 12 percent of your daily value for saturated fat and 22 percent of your daily value for cholesterol. Limiting your intake of saturated fat and dietary cholesterol reduces your risk of developing high blood cholesterol levels and heart disease. The American Heart Association recommends consuming less than 7 percent of your calories from saturated fat and no more than 300 mg of dietary cholesterol a day for heart health.
Protein and Carbohydrates
The protein and carbohydrate content of hamburger patties does not differ much between the various types. A 3 oz. frozen hamburger patty contains 20 grams of protein and no carbohydrates, while the same-sized serving of the lean hamburger patty contains 21 grams of protein and no carbohydrates. The protein in the hamburger patty provides all of the essential amino acids, making it a high-quality source of protein. Your body uses the amino acids in the meat to build the proteins found in your muscles, tissues and organs.
Vitamins and Minerals
The vitamin and mineral content also varies slightly in the different types of hamburger patties, but the leaner meat is a better source of iron, zinc and vitamin B-12. A cooked 3 oz. serving of the frozen hamburger patty contains 9 mg of calcium, 2.06 mg of iron, 4.1 mg of zinc and 2.25 mcg of vitamin B-12. The cooked lean hamburger patty contains 8 mg of calcium, 2.42 mg of iron, 5.48 mg of zinc and 2.63 mcg of vitamin B-12.
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