We don’t frequent fast food restaurants; however, I stopped at Burger King on Tuesday to get my vegetarian daughter a meal. We were pleased to see veggie burgers on the menu. McDonald’s also sells McVeggie burgers. Are they really vegetarian and vegan, though?
We’ve boycotted fast food and particularly McDonald’s, Jimmy Johns and Taco Bell for several years. There are a variety of reasons. Taco Bell has had issues with tomatoes and serving nonfood grade corn in their tortillas. McDonald’s has been involved in animal cruelty issues, especially with chickens.
Jimmy Johns has had numerous unfair labor practice charges levied against them for workers’ rights abuses. I met one of the IWW labor organizers from Jimmy Johns Minneapolis; what he told me about conditions and lack of sanitation were enough to keep me clear of the place.
Few fast food chains serve particularly healthy or nutritious foods. Since Morgan Spurlock’s “Supersize Me” documentary, they’ve cleaned up their act a little. McDonald’s began serving fresher options, sliced apples with the kid’s meals and more salad choices.
McDonald’s and Wendy’s serve some romaine and even spring mix and spinach in their salads. Burger King’s salads are still deplorable: white iceberg lettuce (if you’re lucky and it’s not brown) is about as good as the vegetables get.
Subway has always been a frontline healthier option for fast food. Subway posts calorie counts, fat content, nutrition data, Weight Watchers point counts and diabetes information. There’s a helpful guide posted near the ordering area. It helps you choose healthier sandwich options.
Subway also has a meatless bean burger option, but you have to ask for it. Subway serves baby spinach, cucumbers, fresh green peppers and tomatoes as a sandwich topping. Some also served grated carrots in times past, but employees are telling me that some restaurants are pulling them. Too few people asked for carrots.
Our daughter is not vegan but she is vegetarian with vegan leanings. We’ve not tried McDonald’s McVeggie burger. Our vegetarian will not eat at McDonald’s because of the animal rights issues.
She was very impressed with her BK Veggie Burger. It was a Morning Star Farms burger (our favorite bean burger next to Boca Burgers). We’ve always loved Burger King for the flame-broiled taste and the veggie burger had it. I saw that it was made with carrots and possibly peppers. She thought she detected water chestnuts. We were both correct.
In order for the McVeggie or any vegetarian burger to be truly vegetarian or vegan, the bun must contain no animal fats. The BK Veggie burger is served with mayonnaise, so vegetarians should request “hold the mayo.” Also, it could not be cooked on the same grill as a meat burger, unless the grill was wiped clean each time. I doubt that happens.
So health and nutrition-wise, McVeggie is a start. At least vegetarians have something besides a minced fish paste sandwich or brown lettuce salad.
Marilisa Kinney Sachteleben writes from 22 years parenting and 25 years teaching K-8, special needs, adult, home-school and health education.
Article source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20110511/tr_ac/8455263_bk_veggie_burger_and_mcdonalds_mcveggie_are_they_vegetarian_1
