PopSugar

Food Review: So Delicious Coconut Milk Yogurt

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 03:00:00 -0700

Yogurt is a versatile food that can be made from so many different types of milk: soy, goat, and even water buffalo. Just when you thought there couldn't be any more options, a new yogurt pops up made from coconut milk. Since I'm a huge fan of yogurt for breakfast or for a preworkout snack, I had to give this So Delicious Coconut Milk Yogurt ($1.69) a try. It's dairy-, soy-, and gluten-free, so it's a great alternative for people who have food allergies.

Want to know how it compares to other yogurt? Then read more.

Check out the chart below. I compared coconut milk yogurt to regular cow's milk yogurt, since that's what most people eat.


Serving Size	6 oz.	6 oz.	6 oz.	6 oz.
Calories	150	130	130	120
Total Fat	6 g	0 g	1.5 g	0 g
Saturated Fat	6 g	0 g	1 g	0 g
Cholesterol	0 mg	0 mg	5 mg	0 g
Sodium	5 mg	115 mg	105 mg	65 mg
Carbs	22 g	15 g	22 g	13 g
Sugars	19 g	24g	21 g	13 g
Protein	1 g	7 g	7 g	16 g

First off, let me say that I really liked the strong vanilla flavor of this creamy yogurt. It tasted very decadent, almost like dessert. The consistency was thicker than soy yogurt, but not as thick as Greek yogurt. The only thing I wasn't a fan of was the waxy, almost oily sensation it left on my tongue and teeth.

If you can't eat yogurt made from cow's milk or soy milk, this is a tasty alternative because it contains six active and live cultures, 30 percent of your RDI for vitamin B12 (good news for vegans and vegetarians), and calcium. It would probably make a healthy alternative to whole milk or cream in baked goods as well, but this coconut milk yogurt is a little too low in protein for me to eat on its own. As you can see from the chart, there are definitely healthier alternatives that offer more protein, less fat, and fewer calories.

Food Review: So Delicious Dairy Free Mini Sandwiches

FitSugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:00:00 -0700

Ice cream is one of my favorite treats, but since it's high in saturated fat and cholesterol, I try not to eat it that often. With so many low fat and dairy-free alternatives out there, there's no reason I have to go without that sweet creamy goodness.

These So Delicious Minis ($5 for a box of eight) are made with vanilla soy ice cream, so they're cholesterol and lactose free. How do they taste though? To find out read more

For not not being ice cream, these Minis sure taste pretty darn close. They're creamy and sweet, and I loved how the cookies were soft and melted with each bite. There was a slight soymilk aftertaste that left my mouth a little dry, but overall they were very tasty. They definitely didn't taste like they were only 90 calories. At first I was disappointed at how tiny each sandwich was (only three inches long), but then I realized it's perfect if you just want a little something sweet - they are called minis after all. If you're in the mood for something bigger, they also make full size sandwiches. I, for one, can't wait to try the other flavors.

Serving Size	1 So Delicious Mini Sandwich
Calories	90
Total Fat	2g
Saturated Fat	.5g
Cholesterol	0mg
Sodium	70mg
Carbs	17g
Fiber	1g
Sugar	8g
Protein	2g

What is your favorite guiltless frozen treat? Tell me in the comments section below.

Healthy Ways to Deal With Thanksgiving Leftovers

FitSugar — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:00:37 -0800

Thanksgiving never seems to be a one-day affair, at least not the food part. Properly stored, leftovers can last up to four days, beckoning you to eat more, more, and then some! This Thanksgiving, resist the urge to overindulge by finding healthier alternatives for your T-day leftovers. Here are a few of our ideas - share your own in the comments section below.

Get rid of them. Buy some inexpensive containers before your meal to pack up leftovers for guests and send friends and family home with the most decadent dishes.
Make a healthy salad. Turkey is packed full of protein and tastes great on a salad. Use leftover cranberry sauce to make a healthy dressing - mix a dab with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Make a turkey curry. Turkey is great in a curry because it easily soaks up the flavors of a sauce. Try using turkey instead of the tofu in our Indian-Spiced Chard recipe.

For more healthy leftover ideas, read more.

Make turkey stock. I always like to have broth or stock on hand because it adds a ton of flavor to my cooking and can be the base of a variety of dishes. Storebought broth usually has a ton of added salt, so I think it's best to make your own. Save the carcass of the bird and break it up into a large stock pot, then add mirepoix, garlic, and savory herbs. Cover the entire mixture by at least two inches of water and let simmer for five hours. If the water level falls below the ingredients, add more liquid to the mix. Cool quickly, store in the refrigerator, or freeze.
Use turkey stock to make a delicious soup. Cut up any extra veggies you have leftover from your T-day meal or ingredients, add some barley or brown rice, throw it in your stock, and you've got a simple, tasty soup.
Puree leftover vegetables. Healthy vegetable side dishes are great to have after Thanksgiving, but give them new life and puree them. A veggie puree can be the base of a soup or pasta sauce. Veggie purees can also add moisture to baked goods.
Make an open-faced sandwich. Everybody loves the day after Thanksgiving sandwich. Make your sandwich healthier by only using one slice of bread.

Food Review: Celebration Roast

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:00:00 -0800

Surrounded by vegetarians and vegans, the arrival of the holidays always leaves me a little perplexed as to what's best to serve them during a festive meal. I don't want to slight them by giving them a bunch of side dishes, but I am not a fan of Tofurky and Now and Zen's Unturkey. My vegetarian and vegan guests will have the pleasure of eating a Celebration Roast this Thanksgiving. It's a meatless alternative to turkey that omnivores have been known to gobble up.

To hear how it tasted, read more.

Made by the Field Roast Grain Meat Co., the Celebration Roast looks a little like a ham or pork roast because of the appearance of darker outer skin with lighter "meat" on the inside. The "meat" of the roast is made entirely of grain that's been mixed with spices, herbs, lemon, and lentils. The center of the roast is stuffed with a delicious "sausage style stuffing" made up of apples, butternut squash, and mushrooms. As for the sausage flavor you can choose from Lentil Sage or Sundried Tomato, I opted for Lentil Sage. I love that each roast is made by hand, which shows when you are shopping for them - they all look just a tiny bit different.

The roasts come fully cooked and just need to be heated for about 15 minutes in the oven. It has a nice texture that isn't slimy or rubbery like some fake meats, and all the seasonings give it a nice savory flavor. I think the reason the Celebration Roast tastes so good is because it's not aspiring to be something it's not. Instead of trying to be a synthetic meat, the natural flavors and texture of the grains and seasonings are showcased. I'm pretty certain I'll be munching on this in addition to the turkey on Thanksgiving. An added plus is that it tastes good cold and will make a really good sandwich for the day after.

The Celebration Roast comes in two sizes, 1 or 2 pounds ($8 and $16, respectively) and is carried nationwide by Whole Foods. A 4-ounce serving contains 280 calories, 10 grams of fat, 6 grams of fiber, 5 grams of sugar, and 31 grams of protein.

If any of you decide to try the Celebration Roast this holiday season please let me know what you think!

Yummy Links: From Pardoned Turkeys to Healthy Stuffing

partysugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:50:53 -0800

Find out the fate of Obama's pardoned turkeys. - The Atlantic
Salon has finally launched its new food channel. - Salon
What exactly is dry-brining? - The Epi-Log
Need a good laugh? Watch Paula Deen get hit in the face with a ham. - Eater
Chefs fail at Thanksgiving, too. - Grub Street NY
Martha Stewart has formally apologized to Rachael Ray. - Eat Me Daily
Ten tasty mail-order gift ideas. - Chow
Sausage, apple, and cranberry stuffing is delicious and healthy! - Serious Eats

Soothing Stretches to Ease Digestion

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:00:58 -0800

With Thanksgiving coming up, I'm sure many of you are looking forward to chowing down on some delicious foods. Most of us end up eating way more than usual, and since many of the dishes may be richer or sweeter than you're used to, it can cause some major discomfort in the tummy department. Here are some gentle stretches you can do to ease digestion.

Don't see your favorite yoga pose here? Then write about it in our Yoga Stretch and Tell group. I am sure all of our digestive systems could benefit from a wide variety of stretches.

View Slideshow ›

7 Steps to a Healthier Sandwich

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:00:04 -0800

Whether it's the recession or our increasing need for simplicity, sandwiches are having a moment. They're one of my favorite easy lunches and very healthy if you make them right. But it's important not to get stuck in an unhealthy or unimaginative sandwich rut.

Some healthy-sandwich strategies are obvious: avoid fried foods and super-oily sauces, opt for whole-grain bread instead of sliced white. But that's only the beginning. For my seven tips on making sandwiches that are both delicious and nutritious, read more.

Open it up! An open-faced sandwich made with one slice of wheat bread instead of two can save around 70 calories.
Go green. In place of empty iceberg lettuce, opt for iron-rich greens like spinach or romaine. Try pressing a cup of raw spinach into a hot panini.
Load up on veggies. Sneaking veggies into sandwiches is a great way to get your five a day. Think beyond tomatoes and add everything from roasted beets to cucumbers to carrots.
And don't forget fruit! Similarly, you can increase your fruit intake through your sandwiches. I suggest sliced apples and cheese or figs and nut butter.
Hold the mayo. I'm sure you know this, but here's a reminder: mustard is a much better choice. One ounce of yellow mustard has just 19 calories and one gram of fat, while the same amount of mayo packs 210 calories and 21 grams of fat.
Speaking of mayo, try swapping it out for nonfat yogurt to make a healthier tuna or chicken salad.
Don't say cheese. Rather than eliminating the creamy texture of cheese, replace it with sliced avocado. One ounce has just 45 calories and loads of healthy fat.

Healthy Eating Tip: Don't Eliminate, Elaborate!

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:00:14 -0800

When approaching health and fitness, many of us have the mentality that less is more. While this may be a healthy perspective to avoid overeating and practice portion control, a restrictive diet can wreak havoc on your mood and leave you wondering whether there’s anything out there you can eat. Instead, alter your state of mind: rather than thinking about what foods to cut out, start to think of your daily menu as a chance to add great-tasting, healthy options. Challenge yourself to make the most of your mealtime and see just how many creative and good-for-you foods you can include in your daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner routine.

To get creative, I like to take a cue from vegan menus. Let me start by saying that I am not vegan. I love poultry and seafood, but each time I decide to dine vegan, I’m always amazed by the variety on the menu. Every item is loaded with healthful, delicious ingredients that remind me to think outside the box the next time I’m planning a meal.

To get creative meal ideas, just read more.

Craving lasagna or a baked potato? Don’t deprive yourself these treats, simply reimagine them and treat yourself to a healthier version. An eggplant stacks is a great alternative to cheesy lasagna, and using fresh herbs, crumbled tofu, and fresh red pepper means it’s loaded with bold flavors and good-for-you ingredients. A baked sweet potato is another great option – and a great way to satisfy your craving for starch. Plus they are one of the healthiest vegetables around, since they contain vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and fewer calories than your regular potatoes. Even small changes like these can be big steps toward a healthier attitude and a healthier you.

To get creative ideas from your fellow FitSugar readers, check out their healthy food swap ideas.

Share Your Fabulous Food Photos!

YumSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:15:26 -0800

Are you drooling over the yummy-looking food photos in the YumSugar Community? Then add some of your own! We've got a group called Savory Sights, where you can upload mouth-watering images of foods and drinks you've made, consumed, or just salivated over. Speaking of which, doesn't this blueberry scone uploaded by Nancita look delicious? Upload your photos, and you might be featured on YumSugar! There are lots of ways to share, so read on to learn more.

What's Cooking at Slashfood

YumSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:00:29 -0800

We love Slashfood so much that every Thursday we round up their most delicious stories. Here are this week's finds:

What does your brew choice say about your personality?
It's down to the final three on The Next Iron Chef.
Right now, Angostura bitters are in short supply.
The 10 catchiest - and cheesiest - food jingles of all time.
Why one server believes she doesn't need to write down orders.
The story behind the legendary Harvey Wallbanger.

Source: Flickr User AchimH