Dr. Praeger's Veggie Burgers: The Sensible, Smart Choice for Health-Conscious People

Imagine a pre-packaged, frozen veggie burger that doesn't taste like cardboard or have the texture of mush. Now imagine, instead, that when you bite down into that patty you find fresh, whole pieces of vegetables in it. And then you glance at the nutritional label and ingredients list on the box, pleasantly surprised to learn that it's actually very healthy for you. Now that's what I call yummy goodness!

Think it's just a pipe dream? No, I wouldn't tease you; this veggie burger really does exist. It's part of the Dr. Praeger's Sensible Foods product line. There are several varieties, but I have yet to try them all. I have tried two of Dr. Praeger's varieties, though: the California Veggie Burgers and the Tex Mex Veggie Burgers.

Both flavors are equally delicious, in my opinion. Each variety is broiled, either in a conventional or a toaster oven, for 20 minutes without the need for oil or cooking spray. I've cooked these vegetable patties in a non-stick pan, glassware, and on aluminum foil with all methods producing good results. What you end up with is a textured graininess mixed in with whole vegetables on the inside of the patty and a crisp, thin shell on the outside.

With the California Veggie Burgers flavor, you get a burst of fresh, sturdy vegetables in every bite. The textured soy flour and oat bran in this patty adds a granular texture that compliments the chunks of vegetables. I enjoy eating this veggie burger in the buff-no bun or condiments required.

The texture of the Tex Mex Veggie Burgers is in line with that of the California Veggie Burgers, but the difference is that the Tex Mex offers up a spicy punch. This meatless burger is not for the faint of heart. If you're on the fence about trying this spicy patty, I suggest adding a side of pickles to your dish. Eating a slice of pickle after eating a bite of the Tex Mex veggie burger will help cool down the heat in your mouth.

Both the California Veggie Burgers and the Tex Mex Veggie Burgers are vegan certified and low in sodium, coming in at just 10 percent per patty. (There are also gluten free varieties available.) Neither has any harmful trans fats and both contain a healthy five grams of fiber and six grams of protein per patty. Each variety of veggie burger also contains 50 percent of vitamin A and 14 percent of iron per patty.

Dr. Praeger's line of products can be purchased online at the company's website. If you have a Trader Joe's or Whole Foods store near you, I suggest buying them there; you'll save a nice chunk of change if you do