FitSugar

Food Review: LightLife Smart Stuffers

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:00:00 -0800

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, read more.

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

Food Review: Morningstar Farms Chicken Patties

FitSugar — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Although I'm not a full-fledged vegetarian, I do like to eat black-bean burgers, soy milk, and tempeh every once in a while because I like that they are cholesterol free. I never really go for meat alternatives that strive to look, taste, and feel like meat though, but since a good friend recommended Morningstar Farms Chik Patties, I reluctantly agreed to give them a try.

To see what I thought, just read more.

Serving Size	1 patty
Calories	170
Total Fat	5g
Saturated Fat	.5g
Cholesterol	0mg
Sodium	480mg
Carbs	22g
Fiber	2g
Sugar	1g
Protein	10g

I've got to be honest. I wasn't expecting to like these one bit, but these vegetarian chik patties (made of a mix of soy and wheat gluten), were surprisingly good. I loved that the breaded outer layer was really crunchy and the inside was chewy and kind of shredded to make it look like real chicken (nice touch). The Italian herb seasonings were very flavorful and the overall texture was very much like a real chicken patty. As I was eating this as a sandwich, I was thinking about how good it would be in a chicken parm recipe.

Truthfully speaking, although I liked the way these tasted and the fact that each small patty contains 10g of protein, I probably wouldn't buy these again. Why? On the list of ingredients, it says "natural and artificial flavors from nonmeat sources." Um, gross. It also contains corn syrup and caramel color, which really surprised me. I guess it's a good reminder that you can't judge a food by its box - just because it's vegetarian doesn't mean it's healthy.

Tofu Pups: A Healthier Hot Dog

FitSugar — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 02:00:00 -0800

As a kid, hot dogs are a staple up there with mac and cheese and pizza. We learned to love them, but now we know they're really not that good for us. Many contain saturated fat and those dreadful nitrites, which are found to be carcinogenic.

If you or your kids can't bear to give up hot dogs, then check out a healthier alternative called Tofu Pups. Want to see what they look like and how they compare to regular hot dogs? Then read more


Serving Size	1 link	1 link	1 link
Calories	60	150	140
Total Fat	2.5g	14g	13g
Saturated Fat	.5g	6g	6g
Cholesterol	0mg	30mg	30mg
Sodium	300mg	370mg	460mg
Carbs	2g	1g	1g
Fiber	1g	0g	0g
Sugar	0g	0g	1g
Protein	8g	6g	5g
Iron	6%	4%	2%

These pups have that smoky smell and flavor you love about hot dogs, but they definitely have a different consistency. Since these are made with extra firm tofu, they're kind of springy like hot dogs, but they're not juicy and they don't have that thin skin that hot dogs have. Since they taste pretty similar, I think they're definitely worth trying, especially since they're much healthier as compared to beef franks. I knew they'd have less cholesterol and saturated fat, but I had no idea that a hot dog made from tofu would have more protein. Now I love these even more.

Fit's Tips: I would not try grilling these pups because they'll just stick to your grill. Boil them in some water or microwave them for best results.

Source

Gardenburger: Sun-Dried Tomato Basil

FitSugar — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:30:00 -0800

If you recently got your cholesterol or blood pressure checked, you may realize that your body could really benefit from cutting back on foods that are high in saturated fat. Adding more bean-and vegetable-based foods to your diet will not only keep you regular, but will also be good for your heart.

If you're used to eating hamburgers, and you don't want to give them up, Gardenburgers are a tasty alternative. They come in many wonderful flavors, such as one of my favorites, Sun-Dried Tomato Basil. Just how healthy are they? To find out read more

Okay, so they don't look like a real hamburger, and they definitely don't taste like one, but they do taste delicious and are really filling. Did you check out the amazing nutritional info? Only 1 gram of saturated fat per 100-calorie patty. Plus 5 grams of both fiber and protein. I love that you can see whole pieces of red bell peppers, corn, rice, rolled oats, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil. All those real ingredients make this patty taste fresh and savory.

Serving Size	1 patty
Calories	100
Total Fat	3g
Saturated Fat	1g
Cholesterol	5mg
Sodium	310mg
Carbs	15g
Fiber	5g
Sugar	2g
Protein	5g

Fit's Tip: These Gardenburgers taste great on a bun or on an open-faced sandwich with lowfat cheese, tomatoes, and avocado. You can also cut up pieces and use it in your Shepherd's Pie, lasagna, or spaghetti in place of ground beef.

What's the Deal With Seitan?

FitSugar — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 11:00:00 -0800

There are so many meat alternatives out there, which is wonderful for vegetarians. There are tofu turkey, tempeh bacon, and seitan chicken nuggets. Tofu and tempeh are both made from soybeans, but seitan is actually made out of wheat gluten. It's sometimes referred to as the vegetarian wheat meat.

When cooked, seitan has more of a chewy texture than tofu or tempeh, making it a popular meat substitute. Many vegetarian restaurants use it to make mock steak strips, mock chicken in stir-frys, and I've even had mock eel made out of seitan.

Since people eat meat alternatives as a source of protein, I was curious to see how seitan compared to tofu and ground beef? To find out read more

	3 oz. Nasoya Chinese Spice Seasoned Firm Tofu	3 oz. LightLife Teriyaki Seitan	3 oz. 85 percent Fat-Free Ground Beef
Calories	90	110	181
Total Fat	5g	0g	12.6g
Saturated Fat	1g	0g	4.9g
Cholesterol	0mg	0mg	57mg
Sodium	220mg	380mg	55mg
Carbs	3g	6g	0g
Fiber	1g	1g	0g
Sugar	less than 1g	4g	0g
Protein	8g	19g	15.6g

Check out the difference in protein! I'm totally amazed that seitan has 19g and is only 110 calories. It even has more protein than ground beef. Very impressive. If you're looking for new ways to get your daily protein, give seitan a try. Since wheat gluten doesn't have a very strong flavor, you can flavor it any way you want. It'll give your dishes the chewy consistency you get from meat, but without all the cholesterol and saturated fat.

Saturated Fat: A Little May be Too Much

FitSugar — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:45:00 -0700

OK, so we know that saturated fat isn't good for us. These fats are NOT essential to our bodies whatsoever, but boy are they tasty. Butter, ice cream, hot dogs, bacon - all dairy and meat products contain saturated fat.

Why are they bad for us? Saturated fats are known to raise LDL (bad) cholesterol levels over time. This leads to plaque build-up in your arteries, making it difficult for blood to pass to and from your heart, which puts you at risk for a heart attack. Now new research shows that food loaded with saturated fat may have immediate effects on your heart.

A study conducted in Australia took 14 healthy adults (ages 18-40) and gave them 2 meals consisting of a piece of high-fat carrot cake and a milkshake. The first meal was made with 90% saturated fat and contained 68 grams of fat! That's equivalent to a double cheeseburger, a large order of French fries, and drinking a large milkshake (yikes!) The second meal was made with polyunsaturated oil, and only contained just 9% fat.

The researchers took blood samples of the participants before and after the meals to see what happened to their HDL (good) levels of cholesterol. They discovered that the levels of good cholesterol decreased after the first fat-filled meal, and increased after the second healthier version.

The effects may be temporary, but they are still a cause for concern since this happens every time a person eats a meal high in saturated fat.

Fit's Tips: Here's the deal. It's important to limit your saturated fat intake as much as possible. Aim for 10% or less each day. That means if you eat 2,000 calories a day, eat no more than 20g of saturated fat. Cut back on meat and full-fat dairy products. Also check labels to see if there is hidden saturated fat (they tend to lurk in processed foods and snacks). You can also go for meat alternatives like Gardenburgers and Tofu Pups. I also love dairy free foods such as Wildwood Soyogurt and Tofutti Cuties (dairy-free ice cream sandwiches). They taste great and are so much better for your heart.

Source

Please Pass the Tofurky

FitSugar — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 02:00:00 -0800

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture over 45 million turkeys are cooked and eaten on Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. That's one-sixth of the total turkeys sold each year. Wow. That's a lot of cluckers.
Why not try something different this year? Whether you choose to save a turkey's life or want a healthier option, cook up a Tofurky instead.
It's made from a revolutionary tofu-wheat protein blend, and is known for its incredible, turkey-like texture and flavor. Tofurky is hands-down the best alternative to turkey.

How Often Do You Eat Meat Alternatives?

FitSugar — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 03:30:00 -0800

I have been trying to eat lower on the food chain and have been cooking more meat free meals. There is a wide variety of meat alternatives out there to chose from, like tofu to veggie burgers, from seitan, to tofu pups. They're all great sources of protein and they're usually low in fat, calories and cholesterol free.

So I was wondering about you . . .

Mock Meat

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 14:30:00 -0700

Beef is loved by many a person, maybe a little too much perhaps. Diets high in red meat have been linked to heart disease due to its high fat content.

A recent study found a link between eating high amounts of red meat and developing colon cancer. It can also increase the risk of heart disease in diabetics.

Anyway you slice it, eating a ton of beef just doesn't do a body good. Instead of simply switching to the other "white meat," why not try a meat alternative instead? Take a walk on the healthy side of life and check out some mock meats. Now don't get me wrong - they don't taste exactly like real beef, but they can be pretty tasty just the same.

Tofu, made from soaked and ground up soybeans, can be cubed and baked or stir-fried. It is also used to make Tofurky and Tofu Pups.

Tempeh is made with whole, fermented soybeans. It's great to marinate and bake. Fakin Bacon is made out of tempeh. Some people find it easier to digest than tofu.

The chewy consistency of Seitan (the vegetarian wheat meat), made from wheat gluten, is great in mock chicken nuggets, or mock steak strips for fajitas. You can make it yourself, or buy the pre-made ones at the store.

TVP (textured vegetable protein) can be used to make veggie burgers, or added to chili or other soups to replicate a meaty texture.

These meat alternatives taste fairly bland, making them perfect for marinades. Plus they're great alternative sources of protein.

Fits Tips: Many Asian restaurants offer dishes with these mock meats. If you're nervous about making them yourself, order them the next time you go out to eat. Their delicious taste and texture is not only satisfying but healthier for you than red meat.

Healthy BBQ - Tofu Pups

FitSugar — Wed, 16 May 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Although hot dogs hail from Frankfurt Germany, they are about as American as apple pie. Sometimes you don't want to eat processed meat or sodium nitrate that is found in most hot dogs.

I found a meatless alternative called Tofu Pups (cute name, eh?). The thing about regular hot dogs is that they pretty much taste like crap until the hot dog people add seasonings. That smoky kind of taste isn't from the meat - and the Tofu Pup people know that. They take good old healthy tofu, add the special hot dog flavor, shape it into a hot dog and voila - instant healthier hot dog. It has no cholesterol, no nitrites, half the fat and one-third the sodium of a meat hot dog.

Now when you go to try these - don't think they are going to be exactly like real hot dogs. The taste is similar, but the texture is completely different. Since Tofu Pups are made out of tofu, they're much softer than the meat version, which I actually prefer.

They take a lot less time to cook too, so make sure when you grill them, you watch them closely and turn them frequently. They don't need to be cooked - they just need to be warmed up.

Fit's Tips: If you find that grilling your Tofu Pups dries them out, try boiling them in water for a few minutes instead.