Diet – Hoisin Chicken Canapes

Every time you turn around, there’s another holiday party on your calendar. Sure, they’re a ton of fun, but it’s hard to stick to your diet when you’re surrounded by tempting foods that aren’t in your plan. Next time you head out for a get-together, bring along your own healthy fingerfood. Try this recipe for Hoisin Chicken Canapes – everyone will love them!

2 T. Hoisin sauce

2/3 C. cabbage/carrot mix, shredded

1 T. peanuts, chopped

2/3 C. cooked chicken, finely chopped

Dash of hot sauce

2 medium cucumbers, halved lengthwise, seeded and cut into thirds

In a medium mixing bowl, stir together Hoisin sauce, cabbage mix, peanuts, chicken and hot sauce. Spoon mixture evenly onto cucumber slices. You can refrigerate until ready to serve. Enjoy!

Labels: fitness 4 home superstore, healthy diet, healthy eating, healthy food, low calorie, low fat, low-fat, healthy party recipes

Diet – Chilled Pineapple Gazpacho

Looking for a quick, easy, and refreshing recipe that’s also no-fat? Try this recipe for Chilled Pineapple Gazpacho!

1 fresh pineapple, slightly under-ripe
½ cup peeled, diced red bell pepper ( ¼ in. pieces)
½ cup peeled, seeded diced cucumber ( ¼ in. pieces)
¼ cup finely chopped minced red onion
½ Serrano chile, seeded & minced
1 tbsp chopped, fresh cilantro
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
Pinch of sea salt

Juice pineapple, or peel & core the fruit, then puree in a blender and strain.Pour juice into medium bowl.Stir diced red bell pepper and peeled, seeded diced cucumber. Add minced red onion, Serrano chile Add cilantro, season to taste with fresh lime juice and sea salt.
Cover & chill until very cold, about 2 hours. Serve garnished with cilantro leaves.

Makes 4 servings.

Diet – Watch out for those “Low Fat” labels

We’ve all been tempted to buy items labeled “low-fat”, thinking that they are better for us. And, they may very well be – but it’s how we eat them that can be a problem.

Cornell University did a study recently, and they used – of all things…M&M’s! They discovered that when overweight people thought they were eating low-fat M&M’s, they ate almost 50% more of them than the regular M&M’s – when in reality, there was no difference between them, other than the label on the package (as there is no such thing as a “low-fat M&M”).

What the researchers confirmed is that when we see the “low-fat” label, we underestimate the calories that the food really contains. Most people, in fact, think the product has on average 40% lower calories than the regular version – but in reality , the average of low-fat foods only contain 15% less calories than their full-fat counterpart.

Plus, there is that feeling out there (and more often than not, it’s justified) that the low-fat versions just don’t taste as good. So – what is the best type of product to buy – the low-fat or regular version?

Well – here’s a simple idea. Read the packages, and if the low-fat version isn’t that much lower in calories than the regular version – buy the one you like better – and eat a smaller portion of it! This way – you get the taste you like, while also getting the diet benefit you’re looking for as well!

Diet - Blackened Snapper with Mango Salsa

Looking for an easy, yet healthy recipe? Try this!

Ingredients:
-2 snapper, catfish, or tilipia filets - 4-5 oz. each
-1 mango (skin and seed removed), cut into cubes
-1 ripe avocado (skin and pit removed), cut into cubes
-1/4 cup minced onion
-1/2 cup chopped cilantro
-Salt & Pepper to taste
-Juice of of one lime
-1 Tbsp blackening spices (like Zatarain's)

Combine the mango, avocado, lime juice, onion, and cilantro in a mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper in a mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper.

Reheat a large saute or grill pan over high heast and add some olive oil to coat it. Rub the filets with enough of the blackening spice to thoroughly cover each side. When the oil is hot (almost smoking), carefully add the fillets to the pan and cood for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until a nice dark crust has developed. The fish is done when it flakes easily with light pressure with your finger.

Top each fillet with the mango salsa. Serve with brown rice and black beans.

Per serving: 430 calories. 40 grams (g) protein. 45 g carbohydrates. 8 g fat (2 g saturated). 7 g fiber. 590 milligrams sodium.

First published in the July / August 2006 issue of Men's Health.