FitSugar

3 Words to Know When You're Ordering Vegetarian

FitSugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:00:00 PST

Vegetarians pay particular attention to ensuring they're consuming enough protein because there's no meat centerpiece to take care of that important nutritional component. There are often choices like tempeh and seitan for building a veggie-friendly salad that goes beyond tofu, and quinoa is a go-to grain because it contains high levels of protein. When you're choosing a meatless meal out, don't skim over these selections because you're not sure how to pronounce them. Expand your vegetarian vocab by learning how to say these three words.

Tempeh: Pronounced tem-pay, 4 ounces of this soy-based meatless alternative contains 22 grams of protein.
Seitan: Made from wheat gluten, this veggie option is pronounced say-tan or see-tan. Just 3 ounces of it contains 19 grams of protein.
Quinoa: Often referred to as the mother grain, the options with this protein-rich grain are endless. Ask for keen-wa, and you'll get 6 grams of protein in just 1/4 cup.

Source

Food Review: LightLife Smart Stuffers

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:00:00 PST

As a meat eater, I'm not afraid to chow down on tofu and seitan. I usually don't opt for meat alternatives though, like meatless chicken patties or fakin' bacon, because I enjoy chicken patties and bacon. Normally, I wouldn't go out of my way and buy these Lightlife Smart Stuffers, but a vegetarian friend of mine raved about them, so I thought I would give them a try. Basically they're supposed to be like breaded stuffed chicken. To see how it tasted and how many calories are in one stuffer,

Well, let's just say these weren't the most disgusting veggie product I've tried, but I'm not sure I'd ever buy these again. I have no idea what my friend was thinking. The consistency of the fake chicken inside wasn't bad; tender but a little dry. I liked the crunchiness and the herb flavor of the breaded outer layer, but it was the cheese and broccoli stuffing that were the downfall of these stuffers. The entire product smelled a little weird, and although the cheese was creamy, it tasted processed. Flavor-wise, this little stuffer really isn't worth 210 calories. And although I am impressed with the 20 grams of protein per serving, the sodium content is way too high for such a little amount of food. Maybe the other flavors are better. LightLife also makes a Turk'y With Cranberry Stuffing and a Chick'n Cordon Melt. If you've tried them, let me know what you think.

Serving Size	One stuffer
Calories	210
Total Fat	8 g
Saturated Fat	1 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Sodium	710 mg
Carbs	16 g
Fiber	3 g
Sugar	1 g
Protein	20 g

Foodie Friday Link Time: Low-Calorie Grilled Veggie Wrap Recipe

Michele Foley — Fri, 25 May 2012 13:23:34 PDT

Relax on a hot day with this cooling vegetarian wrap - Vegetarian Times
Cheers! Here are four skinny cocktails to start your Friday the right way - Self
The weird stuff lurking in your milk, olive oil, and other "good-for-you" foods - Prevention
It's National Burger Month; here are healthy ways to celebrate - Daily Spark
Are you getting these eight essential nutrients in your diet on the daily? - Shape
Get on board with protein pancakes - it's the new trend, y'all - Eating Bird Food
A firsthand account of the brand-new Larabar line; yummy or not? - The Fitnessista
Skip the store: five reasons to make your own popsicles - Blisstree

Healthy Dose Link Time: Miranda Lambert Shares What She Really Thinks of Skinny Actresses

Michele Foley — Mon, 21 May 2012 11:51:17 PDT

Miranda Lambert wants women to rock their curves - Self
Prepare to be inspired by this 93-year-old yoga teacher - Shape
1 in 4 Americans eats fast food every day, and more sad food stats - Hungry Runner
Another argument for going gluten-free, and it's not weight loss - Mind Body Green
The countdown to Summer is on; your 30-day shape-up plan - HuffPost Living
Skip the chemicals and make your own all-natural insect repellent - Blisstree
Belly blues? Use Ayurveda yoga to calm your tummy troubles - Yoga Journal
5 vegetarian-friendly gifts for your foodie dad on Father's Day - Vegetarian Times

Office Weight-Loss Tip: Set Up an Eating Schedule

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:21:07 PDT

Busy nine-to-fivers have schedules that don't leave much wiggle room for anything but work. Getting wrapped up in a project often leads to skipped snacks and meals. A growling stomach, headache, and fuzzy brain make you realize you should have eaten lunch an hour ago, and since you're famished, you reach for the first (and probably not-so-healthy) food you can get your hungry hands on. Prevent work weight gain and keep your productivity levels high by setting up a schedule for snacks and meals. After having breakfast at home, here's a basic schedule you can follow once you reach the office.

9:30: Morning snack
12:00: Lunch
3:30: Afternoon snack

Be sure to eat breakfast a couple hours before your morning snack and dinner a couple hours after your afternoon snack. Adjust the schedule to meet your needs and stick to it. (It may help to set up reminders on your computer or phone so you don't forget.) Before heading to work, prepare healthy snacks - like these 150-calorie DIY snack packs - and lunches -here are some tasty vegetarian sandwiches - so you can avoid grabbing greasy fast food or that homemade brownie your co-worker brought in. An eating schedule may seem a little too rigid (or like you're back in elementary school), but planning ahead is the best way to keep you on the healthy eating path.

Source: Flickr User SweetOnVeg

Foodie Friday Link Time: Turn Your Pita Into a Healthy Quesadilla

Susi May — Fri, 04 May 2012 10:11:54 PDT

Turn your pita into a healthy quesadilla - Vegetarian Times
Flat-belly foods that will actually help you prep for bikini season - Fitness
Skip the romaine and amp up your salad with these greens - Health
Snack smart and try these low-calorie yet filling foods - Shape
Too much salt! What it takes to redefine a low-sodium diet - HuffPost Healthy Living
How cleansing can become a food disaster - Fit Bottomed Girls
A healthy treat: baked banana oatmeal cups - Eating Bird Food
Quit counting calories and still lose weight with these tips! - Real Simple

Filling Veggie Meals That'll (Bonus!) Boost Your Metabolism

Leta Shy — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 19:25:10 PDT

If you want to help give your metabolism a little boost, there are many types of foods you can try. And the good news? These foods are also delicious and versatile to cook with. Read on for five recipes that will not only keep you feeling full, but will also increase your calorie burn.

Healthy Dose Link Time: A Hip-Opening Sequence From Power Yoga Star Baron Baptiste

Michele Foley — Tue, 01 May 2012 10:57:09 PDT

Power Yoga innovator Baron Baptiste leads a series of standing hip openers - Yoga Journal
Stave away the afternoon slump with these all-day-energizing foods - Prevention
Start May off right with this menu-planning calendar for the month - Daily Spark
Love to graze? Well then, these 150-calorie snacks were made just for you - Fitness
Learn why Cheryl Burke can't get enough of Ideology Activewear - Fit Bottomed Girls
Get inspired by these gorgeous home yoga spaces - Houzz
Satisfy a protein fix with this Sloppy Joe meat and veggie bowl - Peanut Butter Fingers
Why buy bagged salad when you can grow your own? - Vegetarian Times

How Glee's Dianna Agron Keeps Healthy and Fit

Michele Foley — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:46:34 PDT

Happy birthday, Dianna Agron! The Glee star turns 26 today, and to celebrate we're taking a look at how the dancing beauty keeps things fit and healthy.

She's a ballet beauty: Like many of her fellow Glee cast members, Dianna has been dancing since an early age - 3 years old, to be exact. Focusing on ballet and jazz, Dianna even taught dance classes as a teen while also appearing in local musical theater productions.

She keeps foods fresh and natural: A vegetarian, Dianna keeps things healthy by cooking most of her own meals. She told Teen Vogue that her healthy diet gives her much-needed stamina to handle the demands of her career. Around town, she's a staple at Whole Foods and her local juice bar - and always with a reusable grocery bag in hand!

She makes fitness part of her everyday routine: With two dogs in her household, you won't find Dianna spending too much time on the couch. Instead, she loves heading outdoors with them for long walks and hikes. She'll also get moving in the name of charity; last year, Dianna participated in a charity race benefiting the Red Cross Japan disaster relief fund.

Photo sources: Vanity Fair, Getty Images, Wenn

What's the Better Option? Meat vs. the Veggie Alternative

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:17:51 PDT

I've been a vegetarian for over 20 years, so I've tried just about every vegetarian alternative to meat out there. Veggie burgers, fake bacon, and even mock eel (seitan) have crossed my lips.

If you're wondering how these vegetarian foods compare to the meat versions they represent, then take this quiz.

Take the Quiz