Lighten Up the Summer

June 24, 2009

I don't know about you, but in summer I find it extra difficult to watch those calories and pounds. Sure there are more fresh fruits and vegetables available, but with the kids out of school there also seems to be more reasons to socialize which is great. Who doesn't love getting together at the pool or the beach with friends and family and cooking up burgers, hot dogs, ribs dripping with delicious sauce, a couple of beers or glasses of wine...you get the idea.

I have been trying to stick to "lighter" food during the week so on the weekends I can splurge.

Following are some great items that we have come across over the last couple of months that can help keep things in check during the summer, and year-round really.

Thin & Crispy Butterball Turkey Bacon- Senor Food and I have been having the beloved BLT (with Turkey Bacon!) for lunch when we both happen to be home. I know you might think ugh! Turkey Bacon because I used to think that too until I started making a fattening appetizer with it and nobody knew the difference- in fact, I think it might be better! I am here to tell you it is a pretty tasty substitute to it's very fatty brother. Get this, 3 slices is only 50 calories, 3.5g fat but only 1g of saturated fat and 0 grams of trans fat. Add some fresh tomatoes from the garden and some lettuce and you are ready to go. We usually have it on "Arnold's Bakery Light Whole Wheat Bread" which is only 80 calories for 2 slices and hardly any fat...which leads me to my next find...


I am a big fan of bread- it is probably my biggest downfall in weight watching (among other things!). Though I don't mind the Light Whole Wheat Bread, sometimes I feel that the slices are so small that I am still hungry which leads to snacking or another whole sandwich. I am here to tell you that Arnold also makes "Whole Wheat Sandwich Thins". They are round and more roll-like but not as doughy. They are only 100 calories and 1 gram of fat. Sometimes I'll have a part-skim mozzarella grilled cheese on them, the BLT is good on them AND they could be used for hamburgers! Definitely worth a try if you ask me.

Sometimes you just need a snack! I have found that there are lots of varieties of crackers that are tasty with no toppings and are low calorie with almost no fat. I love Z Crackers- Red Onion and Rosemary or Sea Salt but there are so many out there now including various crostinis and even Wheat Thins. Check them out next time you are in the store.

Hungry Girl (www.hungrygirl.com) turned me on to a very tasty frozen pizza. A.C. La Rocco's Ultra Thin Crust Bruschetta Style Pizza. After I read about it, I was lucky enough to find it right away in the Whole Foods near my house and it was love at first bite! Thin, crispy and only 170 calories for half the pizza. Sadly for some reason the Whole Foods near my house does not seem to be stocking it anymore but I do check every single time I am there! Other grocery stores besides WF do carry it, so keep an eye out.



Not as easy to make as the frozen pizza, but not hard either, homemade pizza (sort of) that I have been throwing together. In the bread section, alot of supermarkets and specialty stores are carrying ready made crusts in various flavors including whole wheat, sourdough, parmesan, etc. (similar to Boboli, but not as thick and fatty) I use whatever tomato sauce I have around, either homemade or from a jar. Add anything you like from peppers to mushrooms to tomatoes, to chicken, the list can go on and on especially with all the fresh summer veggies available this time of year. Top with light or part skim mozzarella cheese, a little oregano, maybe some fresh basil, and you suddenly have a quick meal ready to be cooked in the time it took the oven to preheat! Whole Foods carries their own 365 Organic Brand, simply called Organic Pizza Crusts and I have also seen/had the brand Rustic Crust as well as some others. The crusts range from 140 calories to 170 calories for a quarter of the pizza.


Last, but not least...We can't forget about dessert. Skinny Cow makes lots of tasty frozen treats. Our Favorite is the Chocolate Truffle Bar. Weighing in at only 100 calories and 2 grams of fat, I challenge you to find something tastier.

Let us know at Foodie Favorites if you have any favorite "light" ideas.

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Have a great summer and diet on!
Diet Girl