200 Recipes Under 200 Calories
By Lisa Lillien
St. Martin Press (2009)
Reviewed by Joan Salge Blake, MS, RD, LDN
Claims
She's not a registered dietitian. She's not a doctor. She's just, well, hungry. Enter Lisa Lillien a.k.a Hungry Girl. After years of watching her mother struggle with her weight and changing her dieting regimen frequently, only to fall miserably, Hungry Girl decided to approach weight management with a different twist. Her quest in life was to find waist-friendly, healthy foods that are tasty and then share these "finds" with her closet friends. Currently, she has approximately one million close friends who receive daily e-mails about new healthy foods worth trying. She recommends her followers consult with a nutrition professional for detailed, personalized diet information.
Synopsis of the Diet Plan
Hungry Girl 200 Under 200 is a collection of 200 recipes, each providing less than 200 calories. Enticing recipes names such as Every Day is Thanksgiving Salad, Super Veggie-Stuffed Peppers and Key Lime Pie Shake are a sampling of the recipes. All recipes provide information such as calories, fat, sodium and fiber per serving and contain ingredients that are common to a cook's cupboard or easily found in a local supermarket. Heart-healthy egg substitutes, reduced or fat-free cheese, ground turkey and high-fiber cereals are just some of the ingredients that are used in place of higher-fat alternatives. Many recipes include "Hungry Girl Approved Products," with brand-names such as Laughing Cow Cheese and Ocean Spray Craisins. For example, Every Day is Thanksgiving Salad is a blend of lean turkey breast, gravy, vegetables and Craisins.
Nutritional Pros and Cons
The book is easy to read. I would recommend it for busy, on-the-go clients who are looking for easy-to-make meals and snacks. The only downside is the amount of saturated fat per serving isn't provided for each recipe, which could be disappointing to those monitoring that nutrient for heart health. However, all the recipes are predominately low in fat, which corresponds to being low in saturated fat. The book uses simple ingredients to create simply delicious foods. It contains a few colorful photos, and others can be found on the author's website.
Bottom Line
Hungry Girl 200 Under 200 is a fun read and won't leave you hungry for recipe ideas.