FitSugar

Cooking Tonight? See How Fats Measure Up

FitSugar — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 08:00:09 PDT

I know that olive oil is one of the healthiest fats you can eat, but sometimes that flavor just isn't right for the dish I'm preparing. I keep an array of different types of fats in my kitchen, so let's see how they compare nutritionally.

To see if Earth Balance is really healthier than butter

Type of Fat	Serving Size	Calories	Fat (g)	Sat. Fat (g)	Cholesterol (mg)
Canola oil	1 tbsp.	124	14	1	0
Corn oil	1 tbsp.	120	14	2	0
Olive oil	1 tbsp.	119	13.5	1.9	0
Peanut oil	1 tbsp.	119	13.5	2.3	0
Safflower oil	1 tbsp.	120	13.6	.8	0
Sesame oil	1 tbsp.	120	13.6	1.9	0
Sunflower oil	1 tbsp.	120	13.6	1.8	0
Vegetable oil	1 tbsp.	124	14	.9	0
Butter, salted	1 tbsp.	102	11.5	7.3	31
Margarine, salted	1 tbsp.	101	11.4	2	0
Earth Balance	1 tbsp.	100	11	3.5	0
Smart Balance	1 tbsp.	80	9	2.5	0
Pam	1 second spray	7	.7	0	0

Food Review: Earth Balance Cream Cheese Spread

FitSugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:00:00 PST

When it comes to buttering my bread or baking, I'm a huge fan of Earth Balance natural margarine. It's cholesterol free, low in saturated fat, and dairy free. I just discovered that Earth Balance makes Cream Cheese. Yes it's made with milk, so it's not some vegan alternative, but it's made with rBST-free milk and it's supposed to be a healthier version of mainstream cream cheese.

To see how the two types of cream cheeses compare

Taste-wise, there isn't much difference at all. The Earth Balance tastes slightly sweet, and has a thick, creamy texture that spread exactly like regular cream cheese. Nutritionally, there's a big difference. The Earth Balance Cream Cheese has less calories, less fat, less cholesterol, and more protein. It does contain a bit more sodium and sugars, but not a significant amount. I'm definitely making the switch. I wonder how this will work in a cheesecake recipe?

Serving Size	Earth Balance cream Cheese (2 tbsp / 30 g)	Philadelphia Cream Cheese (2 tbsp / 30 g)
Calories	80	107
Total Fat	6 g	10.7 g
Saturated Fat	3 g	6.4 g
Cholesterol	15 mg	32 mg
Sodium	105 mg	96 mg
Carbs	2 g	1.1 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Sugars	2 g	1.1 g
Protein	3 g	2.1 g
Ingredients	Pasteurized cultured skim milk and cream, natural oil blend (palm fruit, soybean and canola oils), whey protein, milk proteins, less than 2% of salt, natural flavor, natural plant sterols, xanthan, locust bean and guar gums.	Pasteurized nonfat milk and milkfat, whey protein concentrate, cheese culture, salt, whey, stabilizers (xanthan gum and/or carob bean and/or guar gums), sorbic acid as a preservative, vitamin A palmitate.

Margarine War: Earth Balance vs. Smart Balance

FitSugar — Tue, 27 May 2008 03:00:00 PDT

As if the war between butter and margarine weren't enough to think about, now I have to choose between kinds of margarine. Have you ever wondered what the difference is between these two? They're both organic, dairy free, and made without hydrogenated oils, but what else sets them apart besides their names?


Serving Size	1 tbsp	1 tbsp	1 tbsp
Calories	100	80	102
Total Fat	11g	9g	11.5g
Saturated Fat	3.5g	2.5g	7.3g
Cholesterol	0mg	0mg	31mg
Sodium	120mg	100mg	82mg
Carbs	0g	0g	0g
Fiber	0g	0g	0g
Sugar	0g	0g	0g
Protein	0g	0g	.1g

Both Earth Balance and Smart Balance are made with an expeller pressed natural oil blend, but here's the difference: In the Earth Balance, the blend is soybean, palm fruit, canola, and olive, and in the Smart Balance, the blend is palm fruit, soybean, canola, and olive. Not a huge difference, but still worth noting.

As far as taste goes, they both have a mild buttery flavor, which I prefer over other margarines that are made with hydrogenated oil. Not only is it healthier, but it also tastes lighter and doesn't make your mouth feel waxy or greasy. Both Earth and Smart Balance spreads have a smooth, spreadable consistency, and they melt well on warm bread. Since I can't tell the difference in taste or texture, I'd definitely choose Smart Balance over Earth Balance, since it has less fat and less sodium. I'd also choose it over butter since it has less saturated fat. If you've never tried Smart Balance, I'd give it a try. It tastes great on food, but you can also cook and bake with it.

Coconut Cream Cake - The Lesser Evil

FitSugar — Wed, 16 May 2007 10:15:00 PDT

I am definitely of two minds when it comes to baking "lite" desserts. While I am all for dessert it better be worth it. Plus, I fear that if a dessert is "lite" I just might think I can over indulge. With all that in mind, I took on the task of "cleaning up" the Coconut Cream Cake posted by PartySugar. I must say the cake tasted great. My husband loved it. I served it to guests and they too were complimentary (or maybe just being polite - who knows!!!)

While my cake did not quite look like the cake pictured (I just made a two layer cake), the frosting was lumpier since it contained pecan pieces, it didn't photograph well. I need to work on my food styling skills.

I hope you try the recipe and if you do I would love to hear about your results. To see the recipe just

Coconut Cream Cake - The Lesser Evil
adapted from Emeril Lagasse

1 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup agave nectar
1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter substitute, softened (I used Earth Balance)
1/2 cup canola oil
3 egg yolks
5 large eggs whites
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup ground pecans
1 cup low fat buttermilk
2 cups shredded coconut
One 8-ounce package low fat or non-fat cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 pounds confectioners’ sugar (about 6 cups), sifted
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons low fat milk
1 cup pecan pieces

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Lightly grease and flour 2 9-inch round cake pans.
In a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer, cream the granulated sugar, agave nectar with 1/4 pound (1 stick) of the butter.
With the mixer running, add the oil in a steady stream. Add the egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Sift the flour and baking soda together into a medium-size mixing bowl. Add the ground pecans and mix. Alternately add the flour mixture and the buttermilk to the batter, mixing well.
Fold in 1 cup of the coconut.
With the electric mixer, in another large mixing bowl (wash and dry the beaters well first), beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form, then fold them into the cake batter.
Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Bake until the center springs back when touched, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool on wire racks. After the cakes have cooled, invert them onto sheets of parchment paper. Set aside.
With an electric mixer, in another large mixing bowl (wash and dry those beaters), cream the remaining 1/4 pound (1 stick) butter with the cream cheese.
Add the sifted confectioners’ sugar, about 1/2 cup at a time, mixing after each addition.
Add the vanilla and milk and mix well. Fold in the pecans.
Spread a thin layer of the frosting on top of each cake layer. Place the layers of cake on top of each other and ice the sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.
Sprinkle the top of the cake with the remaining 1 cup coconut.

Notes: Although I used a butter substitute, it is still as fattening as butter just better for you in terms of cholesterol and saturated fat. It still contains lots of sugar (6 cups of powdered sugar in the frosting alone), as well as eggs. So while this might be better for you than the original version, it still has a considerable caloric load. It is made with coconut how could it not. It is still tasty though.

Here's a link to the original recipe from PartySugar.

with images

without images

Earth Balance: A Natural Margarine

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 02:30:00 PDT

Who doesn't love the taste of melted butter on a freshly baked muffin? Although that creamy taste is unforgettable, we all know that butter isn't exactly healthy for us because it contains artery-clogging saturated fat and cholesterol.

Margarine is in no way a better option because most of them are made with hydrogenated oils that are high in trans fat. Why are trans fats so bad? They actually raise the bad cholesterol in our bodies and lower the good cholesterol.

I've got a better choice. Have you ever tried Earth Balance? It comes in a tub like other butter alternatives, but it contains no trans-fat whatsoever. It's not made with hydrogenated oils, but rather is a blend of natural vegetable oils including canola and olive.

Ok, so it's healthier for you, but does it taste good? Yes!! It really does. It has a light buttery flavor, that melts just like butter on warm bread. Plus Earth Balance is dairy-free, so it's a great alternative if you are lactose intolerant. You can use it in place of butter when spreading, cooking, or even baking.

Fit's Tips: Look for it in the dairy section next to the butter and margarine. Most health food stores carry it, and I've also been happy to see it on the shelves of mainstream grocery stores.

Zoe Saldana Says She'd Consider Plastic Surgery, Would You?

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 01 May 2012 10:07:56 PDT

Many celebs, including Zoe Saldana, have no qualms about getting a little work done to boost their body image. On The Conversation With Amanda de Cadenet, Zoe shared that she wouldn't mind having breast augmentation and doesn't judge other women who decide to have plastic surgery.

The 33-year-old said this about plastic surgery:

"As long as you're doing it for reasons that are balanced for you [it's OK] . . . There's nobody on this Earth who can tell you that what you're feeling is wrong; they can tell you it's different to what they're feeling. That said, I'm OK with people trying to do whatever it is they need to do to feel better. What doesn't feel OK to me, what feels a little bit out of balance, is when you want to turn yourself into something else - when you want to be another person."

From liposuction to butt implants, there are no shortage of procedures to give you the body you always wanted. And when diet and exercise aren't offering you the results you desire, plastic surgery is a viable option for many. Tell me, would you go under the knife to improve your body image?

A Makeover For Your Grocery List

LilSugar — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 03:17:02 PDT

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 approach to your family's diet. See how Amie, a nutritionist who specializes in clean eating, fills up her own grocery cart, and how you can transform your own to accommodate your family's dietary needs.

"Cleaning" Up Your Grocery List

Essential Condiments

Extra-virgin olive oil
Flaxseed oil
Grape seed oil
Champagne vinegar
Apple cider vinegar
Balsamic vinegar
Organic Dijon mustard
Organic coarse, seeded mustard
San-J wheat-free tamari soy sauce
Amy's Organic salsa
Sun-dried tomatoes
Hummus (try Tribe, Wild Garden, Sabra, or Cedar's)
Hot sauce (try Cholula or Sriracha)
Miso (white, barley, and red)
Organic lemon juice

Continue reading for what to buy in the gluten-free, dairy-free, and freezer departments.

The Lucky One's Taylor Schilling Talks Love Scenes With Zac Efron: "Not a Bad Day to Come to Work"

Shannon Vestal — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 10:56:22 PDT

Zac Efron's The Lucky One costar Taylor Schilling is the lucky one, indeed - the actress plays his love interest in the drama, and when I visited the set of the film, I got to chat with her and a few other reporters about her dreamy leading man. Schilling also joked about shooting their love scenes, and gave us some insight into her character Beth.

Is it tough shooting the love scenes with Zac?
Taylor Schilling: I mean, I don't know. I don't think so. I wonder what he’ll say. . . [it's] not a bad day to come to work and do that. But you know, it’s not as exciting as you would think it is either; it’s a day that’s very technical when you have to do that in front of a camera.

What were your expectations of Zac?
TS: The thing is, honestly, I didn't know much of anything about Zac before I got this because I'd never seen those High School Musical movies - which at this point, I can't wait to see them when we're done shooting because I'm excited to see what he did before. But I did not really have much of an expectation about him. I knew that he's incredibly famous, but in terms of his work as an actor, I didn't really know. So I really got to know Zac when I tested for this film with him and he was just such an incredibly charming, down-to-earth guy - for me, coming in and having never done a studio film before - he made me so comfortable at that test, and he was so generous and so wonderful, and was also so interested in the work. He was so engaged in the scenes and was so good. So good. So talented. It's just been wonderful to work with someone I really feel has my back as a scene partner. There's some really vulnerable stuff in this movie, and I feel like I could trust Zac with anything I got. He's a special guy, a good guy.

To find out what else Schilling talked about, just keep reading.

Bye Bye Butter: Healthier Baking Substitutions

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:07:31 PST

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 butter, and works best in cake-like recipes (like this Vegan Banana Apple Chunk Bread). Replace half the amount of butter in your recipe with applesauce; if the recipe calls for one cup of butter, use half a cup of butter and half a cup of applesauce. If you don't mind a denser, more moist bread, replace all the butter with applesauce to cut even more calories and fat.
Avocado: Substitute half the amount of butter in a baking recipe with mashed avocado (it works well with cookies); use the same method as you would when using applesauce. It not only lowers the calorie content but also yields a softer, chewier baked good, and is perfect if you want to omit the dairy.

Keep reading for more healthy ways to replace butter in recipes.

Sweat It Out For Healthy Hair

Zelana Montminy — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:26:36 PST

You might think that sweating it out can be harmful to your hair, but you should start thinking of your workout as part of your beauty routine. Most of us know that eating a well-balanced diet helps make for a healthy mane. But it hadn't occurred to me that hair could also reap beauty benefits from working out until celebrity stylist, educator, and fitness buff Natasha Sunshine introduced me to the idea. She's built her career on holistic hair care after witnessing the benefits first hand. Natasha shared five ways that getting your sweat on helps add shine to your hair.

Turn Up Intensity
Natasha reminded me that intense cardio is a great way to rid the body of toxins. This has a direct impact on your sebum, an oily, conditioning substance secreted by skin glands that helps prevent hair from drying out. Natasha says that the release of toxins "directly contributes to purer, healthier and an even more conditioning sebum."

Get Drenched
In addition to intense cardio and other sweat promoting workouts, Natasha advises clients to take a steam or sauna once a week as a "fantastic tool in releasing excess contaminants in the body to maintain a healthy sebum."

Learn more ways your hair benefits from your gym time, after the break.