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Ask a Host with Janet and Greta: What Are Some Tricks to Make Recipes Healthier?

Catherine Jheon — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:22:00 GMT

The Podleski sisters, Janet and Greta of Eat, Shrink and Be Merry, will be in the Ask a Host spotlight for the next three weeks. This is your chance to ask them any food-related questions, especially about healthier eating options. The warm weather is on its way and I for one need help getting bikini body ready.

Today's question comes from Kate who asks: I’m making your Shockolate Cheesecake (Feb's cooking club recipe) where you use sour cream and cottage cheese to lighten the recipe. What are some other tricks you use to make recipes healthier?

Janet and Greta: Be creative with substitutions for mayonnaise in sandwiches. For example, try replacing fat-laden mayonnaise in egg salad sandwiches with fibre-filled hummus (lemon-dill hummus is especially tasty!).

When making pizza or casseroles, use cheese with stronger flavour so you can use less of it and still get great taste. Try sharp cheddar, Swiss or Parmesan in sauces or casseroles. For pizza, mix part-skim mozzarella with freshly grated Parmesan try Monterey Jack. A little goes a long way! Look for part-skim varieties with 40% less fat.

Substitute 2% evaporated milk for some or all of the artery-clogging cream in soups and sauces.

Add fibre to muffins and loaves by blending all-purpose flour with wheat bran in a 3:1 ratio (1½ cups flour plus ½ cup wheat bran), or use high-fibre Robin Hood Nutri-Flour Blend, which bakes like white flour but contains healthy wheat bran.

Do you have food question for the Podleski sisters? Don’t be shy. This is your chance to tap into their wealth of food knowledge. Please post your questions for them below.

Ask a Host is featured Tuesdays.

Disclaimer: This page and all comments are maintained and moderated by Foodtv.ca. We encourage your comments and opinions; however, please note that questions directed to Michael Smith will not be responded to by the foodnetwork.ca team or Janet and Greta Podleski. Please do not post personal information including email or home addresses and phone numbers. If you have questions relating to this feature, Food Network Canada or this website, please visit our Contact Us page.

Related:

February Cooking Club Results: Shockolate Cheesecake
Ask a Host with Janet and Greta: What's a Healthy Way to Thicken Sauces?
Ask the "Big Cheese": What Happens to the Food Cooked During Taping of Shows?

Ask the "Big Cheese": What Happens to the Food Cooked During Taping of Shows?

Catherine Jheon — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:40:00 GMT

Without further ado, here is another installment of our relatively new feature with Karen G., our Senior VP of Lifestyle Content (AKA "The Big Cheese"). (The feature is newer than Karen's publicity photo, which still has her with long hair.)

It's your direct line to the top of the food chain (couldn't resist the pun!) to ask questions about what you see, or don't see, on Food Network Canada. What other broadcaster does this, I ask you?

This week's question comes from Laura and Sue who wanted to know: What happens to all the food cooked during the taping of shows? (Great question ladies, I found the answer very informative hopefully you will too. See video for details)

In case you're wondering, the show that donated its appliances to the women's shelter was Eat, Shrink and Be Merry. Go Greta and Janet Podleski! Also, did you like how I tried to fanangle an invite to be a "friend" on Ricardo? Pathetic I know but you can't fault a girl for trying.

As always, keep those questions coming. We LOVE hearing from you!

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Ask a Dietitian: Should I Be Giving My Kids Sports Drinks?

Food Network Canada — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:22:00 GMT

Joseph asks, "Should I be giving my kid sports drinks or water during his after school sports?"

Answer: Hydration is imperative in order to perform your best in sport. But what to drink? Sports drink? Water?

For any activity under 1 hour, water is all you need. Sports drinks contain added sugar/salt that is unnecessary for most activity. Especially for most young kids, water is the way to go.

For intense activity lasting between 60-90 minutes, a sports drink may be necessary to replenish any electrolytes lost in the exercise.

You can make your own sports drink by diluting juice with water and adding a pinch of salt (and it’s much cheaper). Plus, the juice has added vitamins and minerals that your body needs.

Answer provided by Kimberly London, Registered Dietitian.

Do you have a question for our Dietitian? Ask below.

DISCLAIMER: This information is for entertainment purposes only. The recommendations may not work for you, and should not take the place of the recommendations made by your own medical personnel. We are not responsible for the outcomes of any recommendations. Do not make any drastic changes to your diet without the supervision of your doctor/dietitian. For more information, please see a Registered Dietitian in your area. To find one, visit dietitians.ca.

Ask a Dietitian appears every other Wednesday.

Join the conversation on the foodnetwork.ca Community: share your healthy eating advice in the forums

Ask a Naturopath: What's the Deal with Wheatgrass Juice?

Food Network Canada — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:12:00 GMT

Bernie asks: "I’d like to know your thoughts on fresh wheatgrass juice?"

Answer: I know the juice derived from wheat may sound a little strange to some, but don't dismiss this drink simply because of its name!

Fresh wheatgrass juice is a great way to show some love -- to yourself. It is rich in anti-oxidants (which neutralizes the damage-causing compounds in the body), improves digestion, relieves constipation, acts as a safe agent for internal cleansing, not to mention that it's rich in vitamins and minerals.

I would recommend 1 – 2 ounces of the freshly pressed juice per day (or less frequently).

Be careful when you initially integrate it into your diet, as fresh wheatgrass juice can cause nausea. I suggest slowly sipping the juice to allow your body system to adjust to it and to help avoid any discomfort.

It's a great health choice for individuals with wheat or gluten sensitivities because fresh wheatgrass juice uses the green sprout from the wheat seed which makes it wheat and gluten free.

If the taste is a bit overwhelming, try mixing it into a smoothie or with your favourite juice.

Answer provided by Jackie Yurko, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine.

Do you have a question for our Naturopath? Ask below.

DISCLAIMER: This information is for entertainment purposes only. The recommendations may not work for you, and should not take the place of the recommendations made by your own medical personnel. We are not responsible for the outcomes of any recommendations. Do not make any drastic changes to your diet without the supervision of your doctor/dietitian. For more information, please see a Licensed Naturopath in your area. To find one, visit cand.ca.

Ask a Naturopath appears every other Wednesday.

Join the conversation on the foodnetwork.ca Community: share your healthy eating advice in the forums

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Ask a Host with Lynn Crawford: What Are You Working on Next?

Guest Blogger — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:24:00 GMT

One of my favourite hosts, Chef Lynn Crawford, is back in the Ask a Host spotlight.

As you know Lynn's got lots on the go. Her new show Pitchin' In is getting great reviews, and she's currently working on an exciting new project.

So this week's question comes from me, Catherine Jheon (CJ): What are you working on next? See the video below for details.

If you have questions for Lynn, please ask away in our forum: Got a question for Lynn Crawford?

Ask a Host is featured Tuesdays.

Disclaimer: This page and all comments are maintained and moderated by Foodnetwork.ca. We encourage your comments and opinions; however, please note that questions directed to Lynn Crawford will not be responded to by the foodnetwork.ca team or Lynn Crawford. Please do not post personal information including email or home addresses and phone numbers. If you have questions relating to this feature, Food Network Canada or this website, please visit our Contact Us page.

Related:

Last week's Ask a Host with Lynn Crawford: How Do You Microwave Lobster?
Interview: Lynn Crawford Dishes on Pitchin' In and Her New Resto