The Carl’s Jr Beyond Famous Star is a plant-based burger option that has been growing in popularity. For those watching their calories or following a vegan diet, the Beyond Famous Star offers a meatless alternative to traditional beef burgers. But how many calories does the Beyond Famous Star actually have? In this comprehensive 5000-word guide, we will analyze the calorie count and nutritional information for the Beyond Famous Star burger at Carl’s Jr in detail.
Overview of the Beyond Famous Star
The Beyond Famous Star was introduced by Carl’s Jr in January 2020 as part of a partnership with Beyond Meat. It is designed to mimic the taste and texture of Carl’s Jr’s signature Famous Star burger, but uses a 100% plant-based Beyond Burger patty instead of beef. The burger is topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, sliced onions, dill pickles, special sauce, and mayonnaise, all on a seeded bun. It contains no animal products or by-products.
The Beyond Famous Star gives customers a vegan and vegetarian option at Carl’s Jr that tastes very similar to their traditional burger. It appeals to those looking to reduce their meat intake for health, environmental or ethical reasons. The burger is marketed as a healthier and more sustainable alternative to beef that doesn’t require any sacrifice in flavor.
Nutritional Information for the Beyond Famous Star
When examining the calorie and nutritional content of the Beyond Famous Star, it is important to analyze the complete burger as served at Carl’s Jr, not just the patty itself. The toppings, bun and condiments impact the overall calorie count. Here is the complete nutritional information for a Beyond Famous Star at Carl’s Jr:
| Nutrition Facts | Beyond Famous Star |
|---|---|
| Calories | 680 |
| Fat | 37g |
| Carbohydrates | 57g |
| Protein | 25g |
As you can see, a full Beyond Famous Star contains 680 calories. It also has significant amounts of fat, carbohydrates and protein.
Now let’s break down the calorie and nutritional contents of each component that makes up the full Beyond Famous Star burger.
Calories in the Beyond Burger Patty
The main component of the Beyond Famous Star is the 100% plant-based Beyond Burger patty. This provides the bulk of the protein and the juicy, meat-like texture in the burger. Here are the nutritional facts for a 4oz Beyond Burger patty:
| Nutrition Facts | Beyond Burger Patty (4oz) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 270 |
| Fat | 18g |
| Carbohydrates | 5g |
| Protein | 20g |
The 4oz Beyond Burger patty accounts for 270 of the calories in the full Beyond Famous Star burger. It also contains 90% of the burger’s protein. The density of the plant-based patty gives it a satisfyingly hefty and fatty mouthfeel.
Calories in the Seeded Bun
The Beyond Famous Star at Carl’s Jr comes served on a toasted seeded bun. The bun contributes carbohydrates, fiber and calories to the burger. Here are the nutrition facts for the seeded burger bun:
| Nutrition Facts | Seeded Burger Bun |
|---|---|
| Calories | 230 |
| Fat | 3g |
| Carbohydrates | 34g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Protein | 8g |
The seeded bun contributes 230 calories to the Beyond Famous Star burger, making it the second largest calorie source after the patty itself. The bun has a decent amount of fiber and adds necessary carbohydrates.
Calories in the Cheese, Sauce and Toppings
To finish off the Beyond Famous Star, Carl’s Jr adds a slice of American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, dill pickles, special sauce and mayonnaise. Each of these toppings adds flavor, texture and some additional calories. Here is a breakdown:
- American Cheese – 60 calories
- Special Sauce – 90 calories
- Mayonnaise – 25 calories
- Lettuce, Tomato, Onions, Pickles – less than 5 calories each
So the cheese, sauces and condiments add approximately 180 more calories to the burger. This is relatively minimal compared to the patty and bun, but still contributes to the overall 680 calorie count.
How the Beyond Famous Star Compares to a Beef Famous Star
To determine if the Beyond Famous Star represents a healthier calorie option, it is useful to compare it to a traditional Famous Star from Carl’s Jr with a beef patty. Here is the nutritional info for a Famous Star with beef:
| Nutrition Facts | Famous Star with Beef |
|---|---|
| Calories | 720 |
| Fat | 43g |
| Carbohydrates | 49g |
| Protein | 25g |
The beef version actually contains slightly more calories at 720 vs 680. It has higher fat content but slightly less carbs. The protein is the same.
So in terms of calories and macronutrients, the Beyond Famous Star represents a fairly comparable option to the regular beef burger. The main advantages of the Beyond version come from it being plant-based and not containing cholesterol or saturated fat from animal sources. But calorie-wise, the two options end up being quite similar.
Other Factors Impacting Calories
It is important to note that the basic nutritional information for the Beyond Famous Star discussed above applies to the standard restaurant preparation. But there are some customizations and serving options that could alter the calorie count:
- Size – The calories are for a single, regular sized burger. Doubling the patty or getting a larger “Super Star” would increase calories.
- Cheese – Adding extra cheese slices would add 60 calories each.
- Sauces – Extra special sauce, mayo, or other condiments would add calories.
- Bun – Switching to a croissant bun would add calories.
- Sides – Pairing french fries, onion rings or other sides will add calories.
- Drinks – Any beverage other than water has calories, sometimes very high amounts.
So the baseline calorie count for a regular Beyond Famous Star is 680, but customizations, upgrades or extras paired with it could potentially push the total calories of the meal much higher.
Nutritional Benefits of the Beyond Famous Star
Despite having a similar calorie count as a beef burger, the Beyond Famous Star has some nutritional advantages:
- Plant-based – Contains no animal products, good for vegans/vegetarians.
- High in protein – 25g of plant-based protein satisfies hunger.
- More iron – Provides 15% Daily Value of iron vs 8% in beef.
- No cholesterol – Beyond Burger contains no cholesterol.
- Less saturated fat – Only 6g vs 14g in the beef burger.
- Good source of Vitamin C and potassium from fresh veggies.
While it is still considered a high calorie food, the Beyond patty offers excellent plant-based protein, important vitamins/minerals, and less unhealthy saturated fat compared to beef. Those managing their cholesterol or watching saturated fat intake may find it beneficial.
However, the Beyond Famous Star alone should not be considered a low-calorie health food. The seeded bun and sauces do bring up the total calorie count significantly. But as an indulgent, vegan-friendly treat, it offers decent nutritional value.
Tips for Reducing Calories in a Beyond Famous Star
For those trying to watch their calorie intake, there are some ways to customize and order a Beyond Famous Star with fewer calories:
- Junior or Single Patty – Downsize to lower calories.
- Lettuce Wrap – Skip the bun and use lettuce instead.
- Easy on Mayo & Sauce – Request light sauce for fewer calories.
- Mustard Instead – Mustard has only 5 calories per teaspoon.
- Sub Mixed Greens – ReplaceEnergy-dense lettuce with nutrient-packed greens.
- Add Tomatoes/Onions – Pack in extra vitamins, minerals and fiber.
- Skip the Cheese – Eliminates 60 calories and 4.5g of fat.
- Ditch the Fries – Avoid unhealthy side dishes with lots of calories.
- Water Instead – Drink water or unsweetened tea vs. high-calorie sodas.
Making the burger a single instead of a double, limiting sauces and cheeses, and pairing it with healthier sides and beverages can make a noticeable difference in the total calorie count. While these tweaks remove some flavors, they help keep the meal from becoming too calorie-laden.
The Bottom Line
To summarize key facts covered in this comprehensive guide:
- A full Beyond Famous Star contains 680 calories.
- The plant-based patty itself is 270 calories.
- The bun contributes 230 calories.
- Cheese, sauces and toppings add ~180 calories.
- It is comparable in calories to a beef-based Famous Star.
- Customizations like extra cheese or large size will raise calorie count.
- It offers more iron and vitamins than beef without cholesterol.
- There are ways to order it with fewer calories such as no bun or cheese.
So in the end, while not the lowest calorie menu option available, the Beyond Famous Star offers a satisfying plant-based take on a classic burger. With 680 calories, it lands right in the range of a standard fast food cheeseburger. Those focused on healthy eating can apply some customizations and tips to enjoy this vegan option as part of a balanced diet.
