Legalize Your Trigger Foods

by Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom

Do you have some favorite foods that taste so good they should be “illegal”? It’s time to tweak those foods with some fresh ideas of how to enjoy them, without guilt, and benefit both your health and your waistline!

Here are few of my favorites:

Instead of an extra large slice of pepperoni pizza, order a thin-sliced version, and ask them to go light on the cheese. Top with vegetables like mushroom, onions, and peppers to “bulk up” your slice. If you’re at home, start with a 12 inch whole grain tortilla and top with low-fat tomato sauce, reduced-fat mozzarella cheese, and add turkey pepperoni and veggies. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly.

Instead of a banana split or ice cream sundae, order a frozen banana dipped in chocolate and chopped nuts. Or, make your own version, using two small scoops of slow churned frozen yogurt or reduced-fat ice cream, topped with a half banana, a drizzle of chocolate sauce, and a small sprinkling of chopped nuts.

Instead of a large bagel and cream cheese, downsize your serving by scooping out the doughy inside of the full size bagel, and enjoy that crusty outside. Top with reduced or non fat cream cheese. Or try some of the new bagel thins – 100 calorie bagels that look like skinny, flat bagels. Another 100 calorie option are the mini-bagels (which use to be sold as full size bagels!), just a downsized version of the more typical bloated (think 4-5 servings of grains) bagel found in restaurants and markets.

I’d love to hear about “legalized” versions of your own favorites! Post away!