Few pleasures in life compare to taking that coveted first bite of a juicy burger. This All-American classic dish is loved by millions, and it’s easy to see why. With so much versatility, you can really make one burger a hundred ways.

Think of all the different burgers you know off the top of your head. A Big Mac might come to mind, thanks to its special signature sauce, or maybe you’re a fan of the Whopper. Restaurants have built empires on their own burger recipes, and it all started off with a basic beef patty on a humble bun.

But have you ever seen a burger advertisement that was positively mouth-watering, only to pull back the wrapper and find a pretty mediocre meal tucked inside?

Fast-food chains have a long-standing reputation for not always delivering what they promote. They may be cheap, and they might hit the spot sometimes, but are they really worth it? Could you make a homemade burger that’s far superior to anything you could get through a drive-thru window? Let’s delve into the pros and cons of fast food vs. homemade burgers so that you can make the right choice for your health.

The Importance of Good Nutrition

Eating well is important for our current well-being, but it also supports long-term health as well. Poor dietary choices have wide-reaching impacts ranging from low energy and obesity to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer. The cost of being unhealthy is far greater than many people realize.

The Fast Food Burger

Did you know that a standard Big Mac contains 590 calories, 34 grams of fat, 11 grams of saturated fat, and 46 grams of carbs? Based on a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet, that would provide 44% of your daily value of fat and 56% of your daily value of saturated fat. Add in fries and a sugary soda, and you’ll be over half your daily intake of calories and fat with barely any nutrients. Burger King Whopper nutrition doesn’t look much better; without cheese, the sandwich packs 660 calories, 40 grams of fat, 12 grams of saturated fat, and 49 carbs. Both burgers also run extremely high in sodium (1056 and 980 mg, respectively), which is near or over half your daily value.

Made fast to boost production, these burgers are often made with heavy oils that can add to their calorie and fat content. They aren’t the best choice for anyone that is trying to lose weight, and too much grease and oil, coupled with high cholesterol, sodium, and saturated fat, can threaten good heart health.

That being said, there are still some pros to fast food burgers, and they aren’t all bad. Treating yourself once in a while won’t do any harm—and let’s be honest, it can do a lot of good for the soul. The convenience factor is perhaps the biggest pro of fast-food burgers, along with the ability to try new types of burgers more easily. There are often special offers at different chains, especially if you travel around the United States.

The Homemade Burger

Making your own burgers can have a lot of benefits. On top of being healthier, because you have total control over the ingredients, cooking is a fun and relaxing activity that may help lower stress. Whether you like to grill or pan fry your patty is up to you; that’s the glory of the homemade burger. You can also make yours with lean ground beef, turkey, or chicken, or even blend a plant-based burger in minutes with your food processor or a blender.

You get to control the meat, toppings, and even the bread. The small amount of shredded lettuce or single leaf you get on a fast-food burger doesn’t do much for your daily dose of greens. But at home, you can go wild with all sorts of fantastic produce toppings ranging from hearty spinach to zesty arugula.

If you follow a gluten-free diet, you can finally enjoy a burger on a GF bun without having to worry about the restaurant really giving you what you need. The same goes for anyone else with food allergies; sometimes, the risk of cross-contamination is just not worth it, so you might feel like you’re missing out on great food.

Learning how to make your own burgers is a blast, especially when you’re open to experimenting. You may love the classic hamburger or cheeseburger but consider exploring unique combinations of toppings and sauces. You may surprise yourself with how delectable your combinations are!

Another pro of homemade burgers is their affordability. Although buying all the ingredients at once is more expensive than a trip through the drive-thru, you get more bang for your buck.

Consider this: a typical fast food burger meal costs between $6 to $10 with tax. A pound of ground meat costs around the same price, but it can make four regular-sized patties and six sliders. A pack of buns also means you’ll have leftovers or at least fill up the whole family for much less than the price of buying multiple meals out.

Which is truly the best?

While the taste, convenience, and even social side of heading out to grab a burger at a fast food restaurant are all pros, the health factor is a major downside. The cost of fast food burgers can also really add up, taking a toll on your wallet and leaving your food budget a lot more restricted.

Even though it’s great to enjoy a burger from your favorite fast-food restaurant once in a while, you can save more and eat healthier by making your own at home. Ultimately, the homemade burger is not only more flexible, but it can also be healthier and more affordable than eating out.

So what you consider to be the “best” comes down to personal preference and convenience. If you are short on time and only want to satisfy a craving and aren’t worried about fat and calories, then fast food will give you the best burger. If you want a healthier option and have the time to cook, then a homemade burger is the right choice for you!