10 Comments

Comment by Amanda on April 16, 2008 at 2:35pm

Mmm, red meat can be very tasty, and who doesn't crave a nice juicy burger hot off the grill on those warm summer evenings? If you're really craving a burger but don't want all the fat and calories that go with one, an alternative to consider is bison meat. Sound weird? It's really not, although for some the very slight "gamey" taste may take some getting used to. I love bison burgers, but if you want a juicy burger be aware that because of the much lower fat content, you may have to mix in some onions and add more condiments (or eat it rare, but of course I would never recommend such a thing, not me...).

I also lovelovelove Boca Burgers, they really have a great "meaty" texture!

Lastly, for a high-fiber alternobun, why not try a multi-grain light english muffin? They're even heftier than regular buns to hold all those yummy veggies I know you're putting on your burger...right? :)

Comment by Felisha Griffin on April 20, 2008 at 3:04pm

I'm trying to curb my sweet tooth and change my eating habits so that I don't develop diabetes, and it can be quite difficult. I absolutely love candy, cookies, cakes and junk food in general; however, I have found that you can find healthy alternatives. The taste might not quite be the same but you just might find something that you like. I have been opting for fruits instead of my usual candy fix, and I'm loving apples and strawberries.

Have you tried a veggie burger? I'm not a vegetarian;however, my husband and a close friend eat them, and I really enjoy the Spicy black bean veggie burger from Morningstar Farms.

Comment by Amanda on April 20, 2008 at 4:45pm

Felisha, I will have to try the spicy black bean burgers. I've wondered how they are!

I've been trying to cut the sugar lately as well, and I've noticed that it just takes a small sugary treat to make me crave MORE. Here's an interesting piece that describes why we want sugar.

This is making me hungry!

Comment by Felisha Griffin on April 20, 2008 at 5:54pm

Thanks, Amanda. Interesting information about why we might want sugar. I definitely associate having a nice treat after dinner with a bit of happiness. I'm trying not to buy any sweets at all because if I don't have them in the house I want eat them.

Comment by Brenda on April 21, 2008 at 8:58am

It is important to understand that eating sugary snacks has nothing to do with developing diabetes. The "sugar" reference in diabetes is actually "blood glucose," not table sugar. Balancing the intake of all carbohydrates (most notably those in bread, pasta, rice and other simple carbs) is only one way to defend oneself against developing diabetes. Greater factors in avoiding diabetes include maintaining a healthy weight and getting in daily exercise. The amount of sweets that a person eats really isn't all that relevant.

Comment by Felisha Griffin on April 21, 2008 at 9:16am

Thanks Brenda, that is an important point. I discussed the myth that sugar causes diabetes in a recent blog. I'm not only trying to cut down on my sugary snacks but also on a lot of unhealthy foods in general. I'm also working on becoming a bit more physically active. I know that I can easily put on extra, unneeded pounds if I choose to maintain a unhealthy diet without exercise.

Comment by Amanda on April 21, 2008 at 1:57pm

Sorry Brenda, I should have been more specific--I personally am trying to cut out sugary sweets because they happen to wreak havoc with me in general (and aren't exactly a health food!). I didn't mean to imply that I'm avoiding sugar to avoid diabetes--sorry for any confusion! :)

Comment by Emily V on April 21, 2008 at 3:02pm

Brenda, reading your ideas for enjoying a healthier burger made me think of one of my favorite features in Cooking Light magazine, called "Lighten Up", where readers submit delicious but unhealthy recipes for a Cooking Light makeover. They've collected a bunch of the columns here, including the new "enlightened" recipes. Reading about how they managed to make these recipes healthier but still taste good has given me some ideas for my own home cooking.

Comment by Brenda on April 21, 2008 at 3:15pm

Emily, the recipe make-over in Cooking LIght is my favorite part of my favorite magazine. I've been carefully whittling away at the number of publications that I subscribe to, because I simply don't have time to read them all, but CL is the one that I will never eliminate!

Comment by Emily V on April 21, 2008 at 3:25pm

Yes, I love CL too! My husband started giving me the subscription as a birthday gift a few years ago and now says it's the best gift he's ever given me, since he gets to reap the benefits! I've tried so many recipes from the magazine and almost all of them turn out great. It's hard to believe that some of them are "light," they're so tasty!

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