Eating healthy can be a challenge, especially when dining out at restaurants. Hopdoddy Burger Bar is a popular burger joint that offers delicious burgers, fries, and shakes. While indulging at Hopdoddy may seem counterintuitive to eating healthy, there are ways to customize your meal for a more nutritious option.
Pick Grilled Chicken or a Veggie Burger
Hopdoddy has a variety of burger options beyond just beef. Choose a grilled chicken breast or a veggie burger to cut down on saturated fat and calories. The Grilled Yella is a lemon and herb marinated chicken breast. Or try one of the veggie burgers like the Impossible Burger made with plant-based protein. Going meatless just one meal can make a big impact on your daily nutritional intake.
Opt for a Salad
While Hopdoddy is known for their burgers, they also offer fresh salads. Choose one of their salad entrees for a lighter option. The Greek salad with mixed greens, feta, olives, onion and pepperoncini is a good choice. Or create your own salad with lots of veggies and grilled chicken. Ask for the dressing on the side to control how much you use.
Pick Whole Grain Bun
If you do opt for a burger, choose a whole grain bun instead of white bread. The multi-grain bun offers more fiber, vitamins and minerals. Fiber will help fill you up faster and stabilize blood sugar levels.
Load Up On Veggies
Pile those burgers high with veggies instead of cheese and bacon. Options like lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and jalapenos will add more nutrients and fiber. Getting extra veggies in your meal will help boost your vitamin, mineral and antioxidant intake for the day.
Choose Fresh Fruit or Broccoli Slaw Side
Rather than fries for your side, go for fresh fruit or the broccoli slaw. The broccoli slaw offers a serving of vegetables and cabbage is packed with antioxidants. The fresh fruit like strawberries, pineapple and mango provide vitamins, minerals and fiber without a lot of calories.
Pick Avocado or Guacamole
Adding avocado or guacamole to your burger or salad provides heart-healthy fats. The monounsaturated fats found in avocados can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Avocados also contain fiber, potassium and antioxidants.
Choose a Low-Calorie Sauce
Hopdoddy offers many tasty sauce options for burgers and sandwiches. To limit calories, avoid creamy-based sauces and stick to salsas, mustard or a vinaigrette. Mustard contains no calories and salsa and vinaigrette provide flavor with minimal calories. Or request any sauce on the side.
Opt for a Low-Sugar Shake
If you want to treat yourself to a shake, choose one made with fresh fruit rather than candy or cookies to cut down on added sugar. Low sugar options include the Strawberry Shake, Mango Shake or order one with only one scoop of ice cream. Also request no whipped cream to limit fat and calories.
Drink Water
Hydrate with water instead of sugary sodas. Adding lemon or lime can help add flavor. Water will help fill you up without any calories or sugar. Proper hydration also aids in digestion and metabolism.
Avoid Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic beverages like beer and margaritas add extra, empty calories and sugar to your meal. Enjoy your meal with water or unsweetened tea instead to avoid excess calories.
Share an Appetizer or Side
Appetizers and sides can add up in calories, fat and portions. Split an order of nachos, fries or sweet potato fries with the table. You will still get to enjoy these tasty menu items while controlling portions.
Order Smaller Portions
Another way to manage portions is to order a smaller-sized burger or entree. Hopdoddy offers single, double and triple patty burgers. Get a single patty or split a double patty with someone. Portion control is key for weight management and reducing calorie intake.
Get Sauces and Dressings on the Side
Ask for any sauces, dressings and condiments on the side. You will be able to better control how much you use. Stick to a teaspoon or so and avoid drowning food in high-calorie sauces.
Check Nutrition Information Online
Hopdoddy provides nutrition information for their menu items online. Review the options before your visit to identify healthier choices. Compare calories, fat, carbs, protein and other nutrients. Aim for options under 500 calories, low in saturated fat and high in protein.
Balance with Other Meals
Keep in mind that one higher calorie meal won’t sabotage your diet as long as you balance it out with healthier choices for other meals. Have a nutritious breakfast and lunch before indulging at Hopdoddy. And be sure to eat lightly for dinner. One treat meal per day is an acceptable approach.
Order Takeout and Split
Dining out tends to tempt us with ordering too much food. Get your Hopdoddy order to go and split it with a friend or family member. You can each get the items you want while portioning it out to prevent overeating.
Don’t Feel Guilty About Treats
The occasional less healthy meal or splurge item like shakes and fries is perfectly fine. Don’t beat yourself up or feel guilty. Just get right back on track with your next meal. One unhealthy meal does not sabotage an overall healthy diet.
Take Home Leftovers
If you do end up with leftovers, take them home for another meal. Leftovers allow you get two meals for the price of one. It saves you time and money. Just be sure to refrigerate promptly and follow food safety guidelines.
Schedule Your Visit Strategically
Try to visit Hopdoddy at non-peak hours to beat the crowds. Eating early helps burn more calories throughout the day. Late night meals tend to get stored as fat more easily. Meal timing can impact how efficiently your body processes food.
Walk or Bike There
Increase your physical activity by walking, running or biking to Hopdoddy. This will help burn extra calories both before and after your meal. Activity also helps stimulate digestion and balance out higher calorie intake.
Healthy Menu Items to Try
Refer to this list of healthier options to try on your next Hopdoddy visit:
- Grilled Yella chicken sandwich
- Impossible Burger plant-based burger
- Veggie or Greek salad with vinaigrette dressing
- Single patty burger with whole grain bun
- Broccoli slaw side or fresh fruit cup
- Avocado or guacamole add-on
- Mango or strawberry shake with one scoop ice cream
- Unsweetened tea with lemon
Unhealthy Items to Limit
Try to minimize or avoid these less healthy options:
- Milkshakes with candies/cookies
- Sweet potato fries
- Creamy salad dressings
- Chicken tenders or fried chicken sandwich
- Triple patty burgers
- Bacon cheeseburger
- Nachos
- Alcoholic beverages
- Sugary sodas
Sample Healthy Hopdoddy Meal
Here is an example of how to customize a lower calorie, more nutritious meal at Hopdoddy:
Grilled Chicken and Veggie Salad
- Grilled chicken breast
- Mixed greens
- Tomatoes
- Onions
- Avocado
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Vinaigrette on the side
Side Choice
- Fresh fruit cup
Beverage
- Unsweetened iced tea with lemon
This meal provides a lean protein source, lots of filling vegetables and healthy fats from the avocado. The fresh fruit offers vitamins and antioxidants. And you are avoiding fried foods, excess calories, saturated fat and sugar from dressings and beverages.
Conclusion
Hopdoddy offers a fun dining environment with indulgent burger creations. But you can still build a healthier meal by customizing your choices. Opt for grilled chicken, veggie burgers, salads, fresh fruit and water. Take advantage of online nutrition information to make smart selections. With a little extra care, you can eat well and feel good during your Hopdoddy visit.
