Regina Ragone | Straight Talk about Eating Smart

July 13, 2011

Instant Gratification with Time-Crunched Meals

July 13, 2011

So you’re trying to eat more fresh foods that are less processed. You’re preparing some meals ahead or making meals that do double duty. But on some days even make-ahead meals never happen. What to do?

This week on my podcast, Regina Ragone, registered dietitian and Food Director at Family Circle magazine joins me as we share some of our favorite quick-fix items that don’t sacrifice on taste or nutrition. We’re not spokespersons for these products, we just like them.

And… don’t forget you can now find our podcasts at familycircle.com, keyword ‘podcast’.

1. Rustic Crust’s Great Grain Pizza Crust ($3) and Old World Pizza Sauce (3 packs/$4), you can get dinner on the table in less than half an hour (often faster than pizza delivery!).

Regina suggests topping the pizza with your favorite low-fat cheese blend and then piling on plenty of veggies. Make an extra pizza for leftovers…it’s good hot or cold.

2. Brush some ColavitaBalsamic Glaze ($7.50) on chicken breasts or pork chops during the last minute of cooking for a sweet, caramelized coating. Or step up steamed vegetables with a light drizzle of Lucini’s Robust Garlic-Infused Extra-Virgin Olive Oil ($16).

Also toss the garlic infused oil with potatoes. I use a lemon-infused on my salads regularly along with balsamic vinegar.

3. Enjoy one of the newest better-for-you frozen microwave dinners. Regina says that time and again their staff turns to Kashi’s Frozen Entrees ($4). Their current top three are Lemongrass Coconut Chicken, Mayan Harvest Bake and Chicken Florentine. Each meal boasts Kashi’s famous 7 whole-grain pilaf plus fresh vegetables, for a great-tasting, high-fiber, low-fat meal.

Watch for sales and put a few extra in your freezer. When you’re schedule changes at the last minute, which often happens, you’re prepared.

4. Having an ice cream craving? Try Arctic Zero a frozen treat made from whey protein that’s like eating a frozen protein shake with only 150 calorie per pint…yes, I said pint. ($4.49-4.99)

This is the perfect option if you have family members or friends who are diabetic, follow a gluten-free diet or you just want a frozen ice cream-like treat that’s creamy but without all the fat and calories. My current favorites are Maple Vanilla and Cookie & Cream.

5. Looking for meatless options? Dr. Praeger’s burgers contain no fillers or egg products—just fresh vegetables. Regina loves the California, Bombay, Tex Mex and Italian Veggie Burgers (4/$5), stacked high with lettuce and tomatoes on a whole-wheat Arnold reduced-sodium Sandwich Thin.

Add a Dr. Praeger Sweet Potato or Spinach Pancake (6/$4) and you’ve hit your veggie requirement for the day.

Be sure and try the recipe for Burrito Casserole. You can make the assemble up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate. Leave out on counter for 15 minutes before putting in oven.

It takes on 15 minutes to put this casserole together. Depending on the size of your family, you may have leftovers for lunch the next day.

Want more details? Listen to this week’s podcast below.

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May 19, 2010

Knock-off Pounds with Four Summer Strategies

In the June issue of Family Circle magazine Food Director and registered dietitian Regina Ragone offers up strategies to slim down for the pool and beach. Her key to success is taking a few minutes to think and plan ahead.

For Work: find a lunch kit that works for you with washable and recyclable containers which are large enough for lunch and snacks. Packing your lunch saves money and puts you in control of what and how much you eat.
The Beach: update your Mom’s recipes for tuna salad and egg salad using light mayonnaise and whole-wheat wraps. Add ice-cold summer fruits including watermelon, grapes and cherries along with low fat cheese.
Road Trip: Regina talks about how the average gas station convenience store has her choosing between Twinkies, candy bars and potato chips. So she packs an insulated bag with single serve hummus and crackers, baby carrots, cherry tomatoes and 100-calorie packs of nuts along with easy-to-eat fruits like baby bananas and grapes.

For more strategies, listen to this week’s podcast with my guest Margit Ragland, Health Director at Family Circle magazine.

Thank you for your emails about trying on bathing suits and how you could relate to my college roommate’s comments. She made us laugh but also take a look at how we women are our own worst critics. Do you agree?

With bathing suit season rolling around, we’re focusing on day-to-day strategies to help you knock off the pounds. I’ve found that over time my greatest success with keeping my weight off comes from the way I live day in and day out…not from a crash diet. That’s why Regina’s strategies work. They give you the power to be in control and not food.

What changes have you made in the way you eat? Tell me about them.

Each month Margit shares a recipe from the Family Circle kitchens and this month it’s Lighter Potato Salad from Food Director Regina Ragone.
Less than 100 calories per serving and only three grams of fat, the horseradish along with fresh chives and scallions pump up the flavor factor of the potato salad. Enjoy!