FitSugar reader JuicyNoelle came up with this special cookie for Valentine's Day; she posted the recipe in our Healthy Recipe group. Tied with a festive pink ribbon and a little love, I’m hoping these cookies will be perfect for Valentine's Day. The whole-grain oats, nuts, and cherries in these cookies add heartiness, while the melted dark-chocolate chunks deliver bursts of richness. The chia Read more

If you love to eat, losing weight can seem so structured, you immediately get frustrated and grab the first decadent food you can find. Even though there are some very specific guidelines that can help you reach your goal faster, there's no one-size-fits-all weight-loss plan for everyone. Here are five rules you can bend and still drop pounds from the scale. No Cheesecake, Wine, or French Read more

Bagels have a bad reputation as a dieter's nightmare: one plain bagel contains 290 calories and 59 grams of carbs. Since a carb-free diet isn't the healthiest way to drop pounds or maintain a healthy weight, it's more than OK to enjoy a warm, toasted bagel every so often. They're not all as unhealthy as everyone thinks, especially if you choose one made with whole wheat flour, whole grains, or Read more

Somebody call Jamie Oliver, because US legislators need a quick lesson in nutrition. Earlier this year, the Department of Agriculture introduced new school meal nutrition standards created in the wake of our childhood obesity epidemic. Among the lunch-line changes were new standards limiting the use of potatoes and sodium and increasing the use of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in the Read more

This healthy pot pie recipe from FitSugar reader JuicyNoelle, looks perfect for a chilly day. She posted this recipe in our Healthy Recipe group. One of my husband’s favorite Fall meals is a pot pie. In my feel-good interpretation of this classic comfort food, I use an abundance of veggies with a creamy white bean and rosemary puree (instead of gravy made with white flour). For my husband, I Read more

FitSugar reader For the Love of Fiber slashes the calories in an Italian standby, eggplant parmesan, and shares the recipe in our Healthy Recipe group. This is a modern and fiber-loving spin on an old Italian favorite, best reserved for a relaxing Sunday dinner, when you have some time to dedicate to the prep of this amazing dish. Using whole grains to bread the eggplant and baking instead of Read more

It's hard to resist a heaping plate of creamy pasta primavera or sizzling spinach lasagna, but traditional pasta isn't always the healthiest of foods. Made with semolina and enriched flour, pasta is high in carbs and somewhat low in nutrition. Whole wheat pasta is much healthier — containing fiber and protein — but its thicker, grainier texture can be a turnoff for many pasta lovers. A newly Read more

We've been confident that potato chip alternatives are soon to be a huge snack food trend, and sure enough, nearby grocery stores are have finally jumped on the black bean, lentil, and kale chip bandwagon. This weekend I spotted something new that I'd never seen before: Baked Nut Chips, by Blue Diamond Growers, the makers of those tasty smokehouse- and wasabi-flavored almonds. Just looking at Read more

We're loving this heart-shaped peanut bake from reader Gabriela Une Vie Saine; she posted it in our Healthy Recipe community group. Originally from my blog, Une Vie Saine, this pancake bake is vegan and packed with whole grains, protein, and healthy fats. It's deliciously filling and makes for a generous portion size — I prepped mine the night ahead and enjoyed it first thing! Keep on Read more