Veggie Burger vs Hamburger: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)
This comparison examines the nutritional differences between veggie burgers and hamburgers.
Veggie burger is lower in calories at 170, while hamburger has slightly more protein at 13.7 g.
Veggie burgers and hamburgers are popular choices for those seeking plant-based or meat options. Understanding their nutritional profiles can help in making informed dietary choices.
What Is the Difference Between Veggie Burger and Hamburger?
A veggie burger is a meat alternative made primarily from vegetables, grains, and legumes. It is designed to mimic the taste and texture of a traditional hamburger. A hamburger is a sandwich consisting of a cooked patty of ground meat, usually beef, placed inside a sliced bun. It is often served with various toppings and condiments.
Veggie Burger vs Hamburger: Nutrition Side by Side
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the nutritional values of veggie burgers and hamburgers.
| Nutrient (per 100 g) | Veggie burger | Hamburger (single, plain) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 170 kcal | 250 kcal |
| Protein | 13 g | 13.7 g |
| Carbs | 15 g | 30 g |
| Sugar | 2 g | 4.4 g |
| Fat | 6 g | 8.4 g |
| Fiber | 4 g | 1.6 g |
| Sodium | 398 mg | 430 mg |
Which Is Better, Veggie Burger or Hamburger?
For weight loss: The veggie burger is lower in calories at 170, compared to the hamburger's 250.
For muscle and protein: The hamburger has slightly more protein at 13.7 g, while the veggie burger contains 13 g.
For low-carb or low-sugar: The veggie burger has 15 g of carbs and 2 g of sugar, while the hamburger has 30 g of carbs and 4.4 g of sugar.
How to Track Veggie burger and Hamburger Accurately
Portion sizes and macro distributions can often be misjudged, leading to unintentional overconsumption. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.
How We Compiled These Numbers
The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use, not medical advice. They reflect the nutritional content of each food per 100 g. Values are per 100 g from Open Food Facts (aggregated plain entries).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which has more protein?
The hamburger has more protein at 13.7 g compared to the veggie burger's 13 g.
Which has fewer calories?
The veggie burger has fewer calories at 170, while the hamburger has 250 calories.
What is the carbohydrate content of each?
The veggie burger contains 15 g of carbs, while the hamburger contains 30 g.
How much fat is in each option?
The veggie burger has 6 g of fat, while the hamburger has 8.4 g of fat.
What is the fiber content of each?
The veggie burger contains 4 g of fiber, whereas the hamburger contains 1.6 g.
What is the sodium content of each?
The veggie burger has 398 mg of sodium, while the hamburger has 430 mg.
Key Takeaways
- Veggie burger: 170 calories, 13 g protein, 15 g carbs, 2 g sugar, 6 g fat, 4 g fiber, 398 mg sodium.
- Hamburger: 250 calories, 13.7 g protein, 30 g carbs, 4.4 g sugar, 8.4 g fat, 1.6 g fiber, 430 mg sodium.
- Veggie burger is lower in calories than hamburger.
- Hamburger has slightly more protein than veggie burger.
- Veggie burger has lower carbs and sugar than hamburger.
- Veggie burger has more fiber than hamburger.
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