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Seven Guilt-Free Frozen Treats

FitSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 08:00:00 -0700

If you're craving some sweet treats, you can do better than fattening ice creams. We are living in a golden age of low-fat and low-cal goodness galore, so I've rounded up seven of my favorite guiltless frozen foods that will please adult and kid sweet tooths alike. What are your favorite ice cream alternatives? Take a look at mine when you hit "start."

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SoGreen Frozen Yogurt: Heir to Pinkberry?

FitSugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:30:00 -0700

First, there was Pinkberry, then Red Mango, and now: SoGreen Yogurt. Apparently, if you're going to open a frozen-yogurt joint nowadays, it's imperative to have a color in the name. SoGreen is the latest follower of the real frozen yogurt trend. Rather than just being low fat or low cal like some softserve treats, this type of frozen yogurt contains active cultures that aid digestion and help boost your immune system.

Right now, SoGreen has just one store, and it happens to be on the same block as Sugar HQ. So I decided to taste test the yogurt and tell you all about it. For details on SoGreen and this yummy trend, read more.

In addition to SoGreen, this week San Francisco is also getting its first Yogen Früz, which is a real-yogurt chain based in Canada. Like Pinkberry, which was officially classified as frozen yogurt earlier this year, these soft, creamy treats are very tangy and just a little bit sweet.

SoGreen offers just three flavors - original (plain), strawberry, and green tea - along with a variety of fresh fruit, grain, and nutty toppings. I got the original flavor, topped with fresh strawberries; according to the SoGreen website, the small size (five ounces) has just 125 calories. I love the tangy yogurt taste, and I can satisfy my sweet tooth without putting a bunch of unnatural junk in my body.

At least, I don't think I'm putting junk in my body, but I must admit, I'm not entirely sure. After all, pinkberry had to tweak its formula after making false claims about its naturalness. But SoGreen certainly doesn't taste suspect; in fact, it tastes delicious. So tell me: Have you jumped on the real-frozen yogurt trend?

Ben & Jerry's Breakdown

FitSugar — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 09:30:00 -0700

I love ice cream just about anytime of the year, but there's nothing more satisfying than spooning down some cold ice cream on a hot summer's day.

We all know that Ben & Jerry's ice cream is totally rich and decadent, and not exactly the healthiest thing on the planet. That's why it's great to know that they make healthier alternatives like Frozen Yogurt, Lighten Up (light ice cream and frozen yogurt with less fat, sugar, and calories), and Sorbets.

Want to check out the nutritional info for these delicious summer treats? Then read more

1/2 cup (1/4 of the pint)	Calories	Fat (g)	Cholesterol (mg)	Carbs (g)	Sugars (g)	Protein (g)
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough	270	15	65	32	24	4
Cherry Garcia	250	14	60	26	22	4
Americone Dream	280	15	60	32	24	4
Mint Chocolate Chunk	270	17	65	26	24	4
Half Baked	280	14	50	34	26	5
Peanut Butter Cup	360	26	60	27	23	7
Vanilla Heath Bar Crunch	290	18	65	29	27	4
Chocolate Fudge Brownie	260	13	35	32	25	5
Butter Pecan	280	21	65	20	18	4
Creme Brulee	310	17	90	36	31	4
Karamel Sutra	270	14	50	32	27	4
Organic Strawberry	210	12	55	21	19	3
Organic Vanilla	220	14	65	18	16	3
Organic Sweet Cream & Cookies	250	15	60	18	19	4

I have to say that although those contain a ton of fat, cholesterol, and calories, I think they are totally worth it! Of course, I wouldn't eat them everyday, so here's a breakdown of Ben & Jerry's healthier options:

1/2 cup (1/4 of the pint)	Calories	Fat (g)	Cholesterol (mg)	Carbs (g)	Sugars (g)	Protein (g)
Phish Food Low Fat Ice Cream	210	6	25	37	23	4
Strawberries & Cream Low Fat Ice Cream	150	2.5	25	29	24	3
Raspberry Chocolate Chunk Low Fat Ice Cream	180	5	25	32	24	3
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Low Fat Ice Cream	200	6	35	35	24	4
Half Baked Low Fat Frozen Yogurt	180	3	20	35	23	4
Chocolate Fudge Brownie Low Fat Frozen Yogurt	170	2.5	15	34	23	5
Cherry Garcia Low Fat Frozen Yogurt	160	3	15	31	20	4
Berried Treasure Sorbet	110	0	0	29	24	0
Jamaican Me Crazy Sorbet	130	0	0	33	28	0
Strawberry Kiwi Swirl Sorbet	110	0	0	28	24	0

Frozen Yogurt That's Actually GOOD

FitSugar — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 17:30:00 -0800

Some people are born ice cream lovers. They crave that sweet and creamy cold treat over chocolate any day.

Too bad ice cream is loaded with fat and cholesterol, and the light versions just don't taste the same.

I discovered that Stonyfield Farm, the makers of my favorite yogurt, make a frozen yogurt that actually tastes delicious - no joke.

They've got yummy flavors like Creme Caramel, Raspberry White Chocolate Chunk, Gotta Have Vanilla, Javalanche, and Vanilla Fudge Swirl.

It doesn't have that weird tangy taste so many other frozen yogurts have. It's light and creamy and could almost pass for the real deal.

One serving has 130 calories, 1.5g of fat, and less than 5 mg of cholesterol. Where ice cream has 250 cals, 14g of fat, and 55mg of cholesterol. Did you get it that the frozen yogurt has 50 mg less of cholesterol - that is amazing!!!!

If you are an ice cream lover, and crave that sweet stuff but want to ditch the fat and cholesterol, give it a try. Don't get me wrong - there's NO substitute for real ice cream, but it does taste pretty darn close.

Battle of the Frozen Yogurt Hot Spots

FitSugar — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 08:30:00 -0800

Every once and a while something comes around that grabs the attention of Hollywood's hottest A-listers. What is it this time?

Frozen yogurt. Yup, Hollywood is bringing frozen yogurt back (yay). Not one, but two hot spots are attracting quite the following of folks looking for a sweet treat that is actually good for you and not jam packed with calories.

Berri Good Kosher Frozen Yogurt is rich in calcium, but there is so much more. It also claims to "boost immune system, prevents acne and builds clear skin, builds strong bones and teeth, prevents bacteria in intestine and promotes good digestive system." Berri Good is not only Kosher, but also eco-friendly. Among others, Leonardo DiCaprio and girlfriend Bar Rafaeli are serious Berri Good followers. Berri Good says that it's, "Probably the best tasting non fat frozen yogurt in this world." Probably, if Leo eats it, I bet it's more than probably the best.

One ounce of the other yogurt in Tinseltown, pinkberry, has only 25 calories, 0 grams of fat, 35 mg of sodium and 6 grams of carbs. Some of the locations are known for their hour long lines -- Paris Hilton, Hilary Duff, David Hasselhoff and many others have been spotted picking up some yogurt from here. Pinkberry says, "Pinkberry is yogurt, pure and simple."

Anyone tried either? Which do you prefer?

Leo and Bar images courtesy of Celebrity Babylon

Snack Attack: Frozen Yogurt Popsicles

FitSugar — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 09:48:37 -0800

This snack couldn't be easier, and that's why I love it. It takes a teensy bit of planning ahead and that's it.

You know in the yogurt section, you can buy those tubes of yogurt they sell for kids? Pick up a box - my favorite are the Stonyfield Farm YoKids Squeezers because they contain no corn syrup or gelatin. (Yes - I know they're for kids, but they still have protein and calcium).

When you get home, put them the whole box in the freezer. That's it - instant popsicle.

Why we love it:

Yogurt is great for your digestive system because of the enzymes in it. And eating a protein-filled snack is a much better choice than one that's high-carb because it'll give you energy and won't leave you feeling tired.

Fit's Tips: Eating it frozen is fun for you and for kids - try it instead of ice cream.

Plain Yogurt vs. Flavored Yogurt

FitSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:50:03 -0700

For breakfast, yogurt with fruit and granola has become my favorite. I love that the yogurt offers lowfat protein, and the granola gives me fiber to keep me satisfied until lunch. With all this talk about how Americans are getting too much sugar, I'm trying to do what I can to cut back on added sugars.

I was wondering if there's a huge difference when choosing between plain yogurt or one that's flavored. So here's a comparison between a few flavors of Chobani Greek yogurt. To see the chart, read more.

These numbers are based on six-ounce containers.

	Plain	Vanilla	Blueberry	Honey
Calories	100	120	140	150
Saturated Fat	0 g	0 g	0 g	0 g
Cholesterol	0 mg	0 mg	0 mg	0 g
Sodium	80 mg	75 mg	65 mg	75 mg
Carbs	7 g	13 g	20 g	20 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g	less than 1 g	0 g
Sugars	7 g	16 g	20 g	20 g
Protein	18 g	16 g	14 g	16 g
Ingredients	Cultured Pasteurized Nonfat Milk.	Cultured Pasteurized Nonfat Milk, Evaporated Cane Juice, Natural Vanilla Flavor.	Cultured Pasteurized Nonfat Milk, Blueberries, Evaporated Cane Juice, Locust Bean Gum, Pectin, Natural Flavor.	Cultured Pasteurized Nonfat Milk, Clover Honey.

Wow. Plain yogurt is clearly the better option when it comes to sugar. The vanilla, blueberry, and honey flavors have more than twice the amount as the plain. Plain yogurt also contains fewer calories and more protein, so I'll definitely stick to plain.

If you're trying to cut down on sugar, but can't stomach the sour taste of plain yogurt, mix in fresh, frozen, or dried fruit. It not only offers added fiber, but it will sweeten your yogurt naturally, unlike the flavored yogurts that contain evaporated cane juice. Tell me, will this info make you choose plain over flavored yogurts?

Healthy Ways to Liven Up Your Oatmeal

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:00:19 -0700

Now that cooler temps are moving in, there's nothing like warming yourself up with a bowl of hot oatmeal. Full of whole grain fiber, this breakfast will keep you satisfied all morning. Buying plain oats is healthier than buying packets that are already sweetened, and less expensive too, but that doesn't mean you have to go without flavor.

Add these delicious morsels to your half-cup serving of oatmeal.

One small banana (diced), two tablespoons vanilla yogurt, and one tablespoon walnuts.
Half a diced pear, one tablespoon pumpkin seeds, and one tablespoon of GoLean Crunch cereal or granola.
Half a diced apple, two chopped dates, 10 chopped almonds, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

For other tasty ideas, keep reading

How Octomom Slimmed Down to 125 Pounds

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:00:37 -0700

Whatever your opinion of Nadya Suleman's decision to carry eight babies at once, most can agree that her quick slim-down is rather astonishing. When her octuplets were born nine months ago, Nadya weighed 270 pounds. In the latest issue of Us Weekly, she admitted she packed on the pounds by "eating everything in sight." Now this five-foot-seven single mom of 14 has lost 145 pounds and 39 inches off her waist and weighs 125 pounds.

How did she do it? To find out, read more.

With her previous pregnancies, the Octomom admitted she had no problems getting back to her pre-pregnancy size 1 or 2, thanks to her skinny genes. This last time around, simply delivering the eight babies in January helped Nadya lose 40 pounds instantly. Losing the rest of the weight, however, wasn't a walk in the park. This mama joined the local gym and sweats it out three times a week at midnight! Yep, after her children go to sleep, a nanny stays with them while she exercises late-night for 90 minutes. Since Nadya gets her cardio from chasing after the kids, her gym workouts are devoted to strength training. She does top-secret crunches (which she hopes to reveal in her own fitness video), tricep kickbacks, bicep curls, shoulder presses, and lunges. Her dumbbell of choice? A set of 12-pound weights. I don't know how she does it, but Nadya claims she gets by on only three hours of sleep a night. She can't possibly keep that up for too long.

A healthy diet also helped Suleman lose her baby weight. Her day is filled with five protein-based meals or snacks, including turkey, sushi, eggs, and lowfat cheese. She also includes whole grains such as oatmeal, and veggies by eating salads and stews. Her favorite snacks include Pinkberry frozen yogurt and cottage cheese with fruit.

Although Nadya needed help to get pregnant and deliver her babies, she boasts that she's slimmed down with diet and exercise alone, and didn't need any surgical help.

Healthy App: Slim Down Shopping List

FitSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:00:08 -0700

If you have an iPod Touch or iPhone, I hope you're taking advantage of all the great health and fitness apps available. I just downloaded a new healthy app from Women's Health - the Slim Down Shopping List. It is cool, easy to use, and best of all it's free!

For more details and to see some pics of this application action keep reading