What You Taught Me About Being Vegan


Updated 09/07/10 12:59 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 8 comments

How to Make Vegan Food Taste Creamy and Meaty, and the Best Vegan Cookbooks

On Monday (after my failed attempt at veganism), I asked FitSugar readers for advice on how to make vegan dishes taste richer, a list of the best vegan cookbooks, and good protein sources. Let me just say: when I need help, you bunch really pull though! I was overwhelmed by the amount of thoughtful responses I received. And whether you're a flexitarian, carnivore, or ominivore, I think that the Read more

Ways to Slim Down Your BBQ


Updated 05/27/12 7:40 PM · Posted by · 19 comments

Tips For Saving BBQ Calories

It's officially barbecuing season, and with this comes tons of burgers, hot dogs, potato salad, and beer. To avoid packing on the pounds this Summer, here are some ways to add a healthy spin to your barbecues. Go for homemade guacamole instead of creamy dips: Avocados offer the healthy fats your body needs, which is a much better option than the saturated fats found in dairy-based dips. If Read more

A Makeover For Your Grocery List


Updated 04/18/12 6:35 AM · Posted by LilSugar · 0 comments

Shopping For Kids With Food Allergies

If your child has been diagnosed with a food allergy, you know both cooking at home and dining out can quickly become a challenge. Since healthy eating begins at home, and eating at home begins at the grocery store, we turned to Amie Valpone of The Healthy Apple for some advice on how to stock your pantry for success, whether you're dealing with food allergies or just want to take a cleaner Read more

Allergic to Milk, Eggs, or Wheat? Healthy Substitutions to Use in Recipes


Updated 07/25/11 7:50 AM · Posted by · 3 comments

Baking Substitutions For Milk, Eggs, and Wheat Flour

Having a sensitivity to gluten, eggs, and dairy can make baking tricky since eggs, flour, butter, and milk are required in most recipes. Guess what? You can substitute gluten, eggs, and dairy with other ingredients that work the same way and are often healthier! Even if you don't have an allergy, it's good to know these tricks of the baking trade, so if you're out of eggs you can substitute in Read more

Get Smart About Soy


Updated 03/02/12 6:11 AM · Posted by · 1 comment

Why Soy Is Good For You and How to Prepare It

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Health.com here on our site. There are so many ways to get this good-for-you protein into your daily diet. Here's how to do it — and why you absolutely should. By Sally Kuzemchak, RD If you bypass tofu at salad bars, skip the meatless dishes at Chinese restaurants, and avoid edamame when you're out for sushi, well, it's time to give Read more

Bye Bye Butter: Healthier Baking Substitutions


Updated 02/25/12 10:12 AM · Posted by · 1 comment

How to Replace Butter When Baking

Whether you're vegan or just want to make healthier baked goods, finding ways to omit the butter can greatly reduce the amount of calories, fat, and cholesterol in your sweet treats. There are countless ways to replace eggs in recipes, and here are healthier alternatives to using butter. Applesauce: This ingredient is often used to replace oil in recipes, but it can also be an alternative to Read more

4 Ways to Substitute Cooking Fats With Greek Yogurt


Updated 02/16/12 10:58 AM · Posted by · 1 comment

Substitute Fats With Greek Yogurt in Recipes

Greek yogurt is more than just a breakfast food; it also makes a healthy fat substitution in recipes. Skip oil, butter, and heavy cream, and bump up levels of calcium, protein, and probiotics with these easy swaps! Sour cream: Replace sour cream with Greek yogurt, and most people won't even be able to tell the difference. Use it on top of baked potatoes or serve alongside Mexican fare; you can Read more

Got Something Else Besides Milk? 5 Delicious Milk Substitutes


Updated 09/28/11 9:32 PM · Posted by · 8 comments

5 Delicious Milk Substitutes

With my sensitive stomach and a lactose intolerant fiancé, you won't find any dairy milk in my fridge. What you will find instead is goat's milk, rice milk, and almond milk, and I'm fully satisfied with all of the above — ice cream on the other hand is a slow work in progress. Thankfully with all the dairy free options on store shelves today, it's easy to steer clear of milk and choose some Read more

Ways to Include Less Dairy in Your Diet


Updated 08/25/11 10:43 PM · Posted by · 4 comments

Easy Dairy Substitutions

Eating too much dairy can cause a number of issues for people such as tummy troubles, congestion, and acne, so if you're trying to cut back on the amount of dairy in your diet, here are some ways to do it. Skip the cheese on your burger. Eating a hamburger not only avoids dairy, but it also saves you about 100 calories. Pour almond milk in your cereal. It's deliciously creamy, lactose-free, and Read more

The Skinny on Xanthan Gum


Updated 06/16/11 8:35 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 5 comments

What Is Xanthan Gum?

If you read labels to steer clear from any sketchy sounding ingredients, you've probably come across xanthan gum in random items from ice cream to salad dressings, from toothpaste to gluten-free desserts. Xanthan gum sounds artificial, but what is it really, and why is it in so many products? Without getting too scientific, xanthan gum is a carbohydrate created through fermentation. The process Read more