Why Are Gluten-Free Diets So Popular?


Updated 02/14/11 12:57 PM · Posted by · 12 comments

Should I Go on a Gluten-Free Diet?

Since I've resolved to eat more conscientiously and healthy, I decided to take this week to try an elimination diet, meaning going caffeine-, dairy-, alcohol-, and gluten-free, among other restrictions. So far my biggest struggles have been not having that much-needed cup of coffee in the morning and having much more limited lunch and dinner options, even at the salad bar. But I am also finding Read more

Food Review: Morningstar Farms Chicken Patties


Updated 07/28/08 7:51 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 43 comments

Food Review: Morningstar Farms Chicken Patties

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, Read more

What's the Deal With Seitan?


Updated 03/18/10 4:12 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 11 comments

What's the Deal With Seitan?

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 Read more

Mock Meat


Updated 03/23/07 10:01 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 10 comments

Mock Meat

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 Read more

3 Gluten-Free Make-Ahead Snacks to Satisfy Salty Cravings


Updated 05/18/12 5:52 PM · Posted by · 0 comments

Gluten-Free Salty Snack Recipes

When you're craving something salty, crackers and pretzels are a popular choice, but they're not an option if you're avoiding gluten. You could buy pricey gluten-free alternatives, but they're not exactly the healthiest snacks. Here are three salty snacks you can prep ahead of time that are free of wheat, barley, oats, and rye. Gluten-Free Quinoa Pizza Bites Made with cooked quinoa, gooey 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

Gluten-Free Doesn't Mean Better For You — or Does It?


Updated 04/17/12 3:13 PM · Posted by · 16 comments

Does a Gluten-Free Diet Help You Lose Weight?

A recent opinion paper in a leading medical journal says that going on a gluten-free diet for nonmedical reasons is a waste of money, since many people invest in expensive gluten-free foods that end up containing more carbs, sugar, and calories than their gluten-filled counterparts. But the news hasn't stopped celebs from continuing to tout the restrictive diet as the reason for their weight Read more

Are Gluten-Free Foods Healthier?


Updated 10/14/11 11:50 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 6 comments

Are Gluten-Free Foods Healthier?

A good friend of mine has celiac disease, which means she can't eat any foods that contain these "evil" ingredients: wheat, rye, barley, and possibly oats. If she does, she pays the price with painful stomach cramps, bloating, gas, and diarrhea, but the scary thing is that it can even be fatal. She's not alone; it's estimated that one in 133 people in America suffers from this disease. Due to Read more

A Reader Recipe: Vegan Chocolate-Chip Banana Bread


Updated 03/18/12 7:49 AM · Posted by · 3 comments

BabyCakes Vegan Chocolate-Chip Banana Bread Recipe

FitSugar reader Whipped recently shared this recipe for vegan chocolate-chip banana bread, which she got from the BabyCakes Bakery cookbook, in our Healthy Recipe group. So I have been craving some banana bread lately. I want a moist, tender, chocolately chip banana bread . . . and I'd like it healthy, too, please? No butter? No eggs? No dairy? Yup. Perfect chocolate-chip banana bread. And it's Read more

Fuel Up: Highest Sources of Vegan Protein


Updated 02/18/12 4:21 PM · Posted by · 21 comments

Highest Sources of Vegan Protein

Whether you're dabbling with veganism or just looking for some plant-based proteins to add to your diet, roaming the supermarket aisles for the right protein source can feel overwhelming when you have no idea which products to buy. We've defined four plant-based proteins you should know about, how much protein they contain, and what product brands we seal with a stamp of Read more