Lose the Clutter, Lose the Weight (29 page)

SMART SHORTCUTS FROZEN PASTA ENTRÉES/MEALS

PRODUCT
CALORIES
PAIR WITH . . .
Lean Cuisine Culinary Collection Shrimp and Angel Hair Pasta
230
2 Tbsp hummus + carrot and celery sticks 1 medium pear
Lean Cuisine Simple Favorites Four Cheese Cannelloni
230
Amy's Light & Lean Spaghetti Italiano
240
Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers 100% Natural Pumpkin Squash Ravioli
260
Healthy Choice Baked! Lasagna with Meat Sauce
270
3 cups bagged romaine salad blend + 5 cherry tomatoes+ 2 Tbsp light dressing/vinaigrette + 2 Tbsp shredded 2% milk cheese
CedarLane Garden Vegetable Lasagna (10 oz)
280
Kashi Roasted Garlic Chicken Farfalle Steam Meal
280
Healthy Choice Top Chef Cafe Steamers Grilled Chicken Pesto with Vegetables
300
1 cup fruit salad

Pizza

CRUST
1 pita (6½'' diameter), white or whole wheat
⅕ tube refrigerated thin-crust pizza dough
1 sandwich-size English muffin (or 3 regular English muffin halves)
½ naan flatbread
½ mini pizza crust (8'' diameter)
SAUCE
¼ cup pizza sauce
1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp barbecue sauce
1 Tbsp pesto
CHEESE
⅓ cup shredded 2% milk Italian/pizza cheese blend
⅓ cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1½ oz fresh mozzarella
⅓ cup shredded 2% milk Jack cheese
¼ cup part-skim ricotta + 1 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
MEAT TOPPING
10 slices turkey pepperoni
½ link (1.5 oz total) chopped fully cooked chicken sausage
¼ cup chopped cooked chicken breast
¼ cup browned 90% lean ground beef
2 oz cubed ham
SIDE
1 cup cubed watermelon or cantaloupe
1 kiwifruit
2 cups bagged romaine salad blend + 3 cherry tomatoes + 1 tsp olive oil + 1½ tsp balsamic vinegar
1 cup sliced bell peppers + 1 Tbsp light ranch dressing

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Prepare the crust per package directions if necessary.

Spread the crust with the sauce. Sprinkle with the cheese and the meat topping.

Bake until heated through and the cheese is melted and golden.

Serve with a side dish.

FLAVOR BOOSTERS

Customize your pizza with these fresh toppings, but don't overload the crust or it will get soggy.

• Thinly sliced onion

• Thinly sliced bell pepper

• Thinly sliced scallions

• Thinly sliced mushrooms

• Chopped tomatoes (patted dry)

• Chopped broccoli (or very small florets)

CHEAT SHEET

When take-out pizza's on the menu, stick to one slice of a large (14'' diameter) plain, veggie, or one-meat-topping traditional New York–style pie; pair it with a salad. Here's what you can expect calorie-wise:

ONE SLICE OF . . .
CALORIES
Cheese pizza
325
Mushroom pizza
325
Broccoli pizza
335
BBQ chicken pizza
380
Pepperoni pizza
390
Sausage pizza
420

Salads

GREENS (2 TO 3 CUPS ANY COMBINATION OF)
Romaine lettuce
Spring mix
Red or green leaf lettuce
Boston lettuce
Baby spinach leaves
Iceberg lettuce
Arugula
Chopped or baby kale leaves
VEGETABLES (UNLIMITED)
½ cup alfalfa sprouts
¼ cup sliced celery
2 Tbsp chopped scallions
½ cup sliced cucumber
¼ cup sliced red onions
½ cup sliced mushrooms
½ cup chopped broccoli
½ cup sliced bell peppers
½ cup chopped cauliflower
2 Tbsp frozen peas, thawed
⅓ cup shredded carrots
¼ cup sliced cooked beets
2 Tbsp corn kernels
¼ cup roasted red bell peppers
2 Tbsp sliced olives
8 cherry tomatoes or ½ cup sliced tomatoes
PROTEINS (PICK 2)
⅓ cup shelled edamame
1 pouch (2.6 oz) water-packed light tuna
¼ cup chickpeas
1½ oz smoked tofu, cubed
⅓ cup chopped (or 1 large) hard-boiled egg
⅓ cup chopped cooked chicken
⅓ cup flaked pink salmon (from pouch)
3 oz cubed or torn deli turkey breast
3 oz cubed ham or torn lean deli ham
DRESSINGS (UP TO 80-CALORIE SERVING)
2 Tbsp light Italian dressing
2 Tbsp light balsamic vinaigrette
2 Tbsp light ranch dressing
2 Tbsp light Caesar dressing
2 Tbsp light raspberry vinaigrette
2 Tbsp light blue cheese dressing
2 Tbsp light Thousand Island dressing
2 tsp olive oil + 1 tsp vinegar
TOPPINGS (PICK 2)
1 Tbsp chopped pecans
1 Tbsp chopped walnuts
1 Tbsp unsalted sunflower seed kernels
2 Tbsp dried sweetened cranberries
2 Tbsp feta crumbles
8 large croutons
⅓ cup 1% cottage cheese
1½ Tbsp chopped pistachios
1½ Tbsp goat cheese
1 Tbsp pine nuts
¼ Hass avocado, sliced
2 Tbsp blue cheese crumbles
2 Tbsp sliced almonds
3 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1½ Tbsp unsalted pumpkin seed kernels
3 Tbsp shredded 2% milk Cheddar cheese
3 Tbsp shredded 2% milk Jack cheese

DIRECTIONS

Toss the greens with your choice of vegetables, two sources of protein, one dressing, and two toppings.

SMART SHORTCUTS BOTTLED SALAD DRESSINGS

PRODUCT
CALORIES IN 2 TBSP
Bolthouse Farms Classic Balsamic Vinaigrette
30
Bolthouse Farms Chunky Blue Cheese Yogurt Dressing
35
Annie's Naturals Lite Honey Mustard Vinaigrette
40
Annie's Naturals Lite Raspberry Vinaigrette
40
Ken's Steak House Light Northern Italian Dressing
45
Bolthouse Farms Caesar Parmigiano Yogurt Dressing
45
Litehouse OPA Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing
60
Cindy's Kitchen Creamy Yogurt 1,000 Island Dressing/Spread
70

The
salad chart
budgets in 80 calories, so choose a lower-calorie product if you like your salad generously dressed.

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