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Whole Grain Flour Breakdown

FitSugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Baking is always happening at my house, whether it be cookies, muffins, or bread. Not only do I love concocting delicious treats with my girls because it's a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon, but I love that I can make scrumptious foods and know they're made with actual ingredients.

I also think it's fun to try out recipes using different flour. Whole wheat or all purpose is the usual standard, but there are so many other flours out there made from whole grains. They add different flavors, textures, and colors to your recipes, and they can also offer added nutrition. To see how whole-grain flours compare

Soymilk Taste Test

FitSugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:00:00 -0700

So you grew up drinking cow's milk. Why would you even think of switching? Well, for starters, soymilk is a healthy option because it's cholesterol free, plus it's low in saturated fat and high in protein. It also comes in different flavors, like carob or chocolate, and you can bake and cook with the unsweetened or vanilla flavors.

Due to soymilk's current popularity many companies make it, and the the brands all taste different: some soymilk is thicker like Edensoy, all vanilla flavors are sweeter, and some taste more like real milk such as Silk brand. My advice is to taste more than one brand and flavor. Why not buy a few at a time and have a soymilk taste test. Don't drink them directly from the grocery-store sheIf; stick the container in the fridge for at least an hour or two because soymilk tastes much better cold.

Aside from texture and taste, the soymilk brands differ nutritionally as well. To see how they compare, just

Granola Breakdown

FitSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 08:00:00 -0700

You know how I feel about breakfast. It really is the most important meal of the day because it jump starts your metabolism and feeds your brain so you're more productive during the day. It helps people maintain their weight and eating breakfast gives you energy to exercise later in the day. Breakfast eaters are also more likely to consume their daily amount of fiber since so many morning foods are full of whole grains, like cereals and bread.

Granola is one of my favorite breakfast foods, but some can be high in fat or sugar. To see how some popular granolas compare,

Dunkin' Donuts Cold Beverage Breakdown

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 03:30:00 -0700

So you stopped off at Dunkin' Donuts for a coffee, but it's so hot out that you're in the mood for something cooler. Check out the chart below to see how their cold specialty drinks compare. You may be surprised at how many calories, sodium, and sugar they contain.

Drink	Calories	Total Fat (g)	Cholesterol (g)	Sodium (mg)	Sugar (g)	Protein (g)
16 oz. Iced Coffee with cream and sugar	120	6	20	75	12	2
16 oz. Iced Coffee with skim milk and sugar	70	0	0	75	12	2
16 oz. Berry Berry Iced Coffee	120	6	20	75	12	2
16 oz. Pumpkin Spice Iced Coffee	160	5	20	95	22	3
16 oz. Turbo Ice	120	7	20	25	13	1
16 oz. Vanilla Iced Latte Lite	80	0	0	110	0	7
16 oz. Tropicana Orange Coolatta	370	0	0	50	87	1
16 oz. Strawberry Fruit Coolatta	290	0	0	30	65	0

To see the rest

Veggie Burger Breakdown

FitSugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:00:00 -0700

The Fourth of July is just around the corner, and I'm sure you're gearing up for some BBQs. If you're watching your saturated fat and cholesterol intake, veggie burgers are a great option. And according to my burger poll many of you prefer veggie burgers, too. There are so many different brands and flavors out there now, the selection can be a little overwhelming. Some burgers are made with soy and others with grains. Other veggie burgers are just that and made from veggies. Sunshine even makes their burgers with sunflower seeds. Depending on the main ingredients, all your options will differ in calories, sodium, carbs, and protein, so check out this breakdown to see which one satisfies your needs.

Veggie Burger (1 patty)	Calories	Total Fat (g)	Cholesterol (mg)	Sodium (mg)	Carbs (g)	Fiber (g)	Protein (g)
Amy's Kitchen All American Veggie Burger	120	3	0	390	15	3	10
Amy's Kitchen California Veggie Burger	140	5	0	430	19	4	6
Boca All American Flame Grilled	90	3	5	280	4	4.5	14
Boca Original Vegan	70	.5	0	280	6	4	13

There's plenty more and to see them just

Moe's Southwest Grill Breakdown

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 05:30:00 -0700

When I'm on the road and in need of quick meal, I sometimes stop at Moe's Southwest Grill. It's like a Mexican version of Subway — you pick a type of burrito, taco, fajita, salad, or quesadilla, and then you choose exactly what goes in it (and you can watch them make it too). They use fresh veggies, but they don't use lard. Plus the meat is grilled right there. The food tastes great and seems healthy, but after looking at the caloric content of The Homewrecker and the Triple Lindy, I am happy that I split a burrito with my hubby.

To see the breakdown

Ballpark Foods Breakdown

FitSugar — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:00:00 -0700

"Take Me Out to the Ballgame" namechecks peanuts, and Cracker Jacks, but the song doesn't mention the calorie or fat content of these tasty treats. Even if you aren't a hardcore baseball fan, chances are you might find yourself in a stadium this Summer, noshing on the favorite foods of America's favorite pastime.

To help you make smart choices, I've consulted the always-helpful CalorieKing and put together a breakdown of popular ballpark eats, including hot dogs, chili fries, and the aforementioned peanuts and Cracker Jacks. Some of the information certainly surprised me, so to see how they all compare,

Rice Breakdown

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:00:00 -0700

It's too bad that rice has gotten a bad reputation with this whole carb-free diet frenzy. As we all know, not only do we need carbs for energy, but carbs in the form of whole grains are a great source of fiber (which can help prevent certain types of cancer), and they keep you feeling full longer. Rice is one of my favorite whole grains since it's easy to cook, can be flavored millions of ways, and is easy to digest. There are so many different kinds though. To see how they compare nutritionally,

Annie's Salad Dressing Breakdown

FitSugar — Tue, 06 May 2008 13:00:00 -0700

I'm a huge fan of Annie's Naturals Salad Dressings, and I appreciate that there are organic options. All the dressings are made from natural ingredients for a fresh and zesty taste. There are many flavors to choose from and even some low-fat ones.

If you're wondering how Annie's salad dressings compare nutritionally then

Beer Breakdown

FitSugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:00:00 -0700

The warm weather of Spring seems to say "Miller time." It's perfect for BBQs and cold beverages. I sometimes call beer "liquid bread" because of all the carbs, so it's good to know that not all beers are created equally, especially when it comes to calories.

If you're watching your waistline and enjoy an ice cold brew, you'll probably want see how they compare. The numbers may surprise you. To see the breakdown

Whole Grain Pasta Breakdown

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 10:15:00 -0700

Who doesn't love a big bowl of pasta? Penne with tomato sauce, spaghetti and meatballs, spinach lasagna, spirals with pesto. There are so many healthy recipes you can make using pasta and now there are so many different kinds of pasta to choose from.

Whole wheat pasta is all the rage right now, but it's not the only healthy pasta out there. Want to see how whole grain pastas compare nutritionally? Then

Comfort Food Breakdown

FitSugar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 03:00:00 -0700

Who doesn't love comfort food? You know, special foods you make when you are sad that are guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Comfort foods are usually warm and soft, and are also high in carbs, sugars, or fats. They're not necessarily the healthiest food we can eat, but because we have such emotional ties to comfort foods, they're definitively not something we should avoid.

Indulging in comfort food is good for the soul, but since it's not usually good for your waistline, you may want to know their nutritional value. If you're curious to know how many calories are in one of your Grandma's famous chocolate chip cookies, then

Sandwich Dilemma: Which Bread to Choose?

FitSugar — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:30:00 -0700

It's lunchtime. You head to the local cafe to get a bite to eat. When you order a sandwich, you're faced with this: sliced bread, bun, roll, pita, or wrap? So many choices. Let's see how these breads compare nutritionally.

To see the breakdown

Yogurt Breakdown

FitSugar — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 07:30:00 -0700

Yogurt is so healthy for us. It's a great source of calcium, protein, vitamin D, and live cultures that help with digestion. It's also good for your mouth, has been shown to lower BMI, and can help with bad breath. Not only that, but yogurt contains tyrosine, an amino acid that converts into the feel-good chemicals dopamine and adrenalin, which clear your mind when you're stressed, and can give you an energy boost. Who knew yogurt could be this beneficial?

There are so many different brands and kinds of yogurt out there. Want to see how they all compare? Then

Girl Scout Cookie Breakdown

FitSugar — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 04:00:00 -0700

It's that time of the year again. They're posted on nearly every street corner, and with more stands than there are Starbucks these sweet temptations are unavoidable. Yes, I'm talking about Girl Scout Cookie season.

I am not going to tell you to avoid them, since I've got a box of Thin Mints chilling in my freezer as we speak, but just be aware of the choices you make with this breakdown and practice moderation and self control. In case you didn't know, there are two bakers that make the cookies, ABC and Little Brownie, so I've added all variations from both bakers.

To see the full breakdown then

Cereal Breakdown

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:30:00 -0800

When it comes to eating breakfast during the week, I need something quick yet nutritious, so cereal is a popular choice. It amazes me how many different kinds of cereal there are out there, and how much they differ nutritionally. Want to see how they compare nutritionally? Then

Fast Food Breakdown: Hamburgers

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 03:00:00 -0800

If you're on the road or in a rush, sometimes you can't avoid finding yourself in a fast food restaurant. Hamburgers are a pretty popular menu item, and since every fast food joint prepares them differently, it's hard to make the healthiest choice.

Want to see how these popular burgers compare? Then

Milk Breakdown

FitSugar — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 14:45:00 -0800

Isn't it amazing how many types of milk are available? You can get cow's milk, but if you're lactose intolerant or vegan, you can use soy milk instead. If you're worried about the possible health risks of eating too much soy, you can pick up some rice milk. If you're not into the watery consistency, then there's always almond milk. Basically, you have a lot of options.

So nutritionally speaking, ever wonder how all these types of milk compare? If so then

Cheese Breakdown

FitSugar — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 09:15:00 -0800

Since you guys enjoyed my fun cheese quiz, I thought that now would be a good time to break it all down. Yes, we all love cheese, so instead of cutting it out of your diet completely use this helpful breakdown to try and stick to the lesser of the evils in the cheese world.

To see a breakdown of 20 popular cheeses, just

Nutty For Nutritional Info on Nut Butters

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 16:30:00 -0800

When I was a child, I loved peanut butter. In college I experimented with almond butter. Cashew butter, which I dabble in every once in a while, is just heavenly. My girls, however, only like peanut butter, which made me curious — are all nut butters created equal? Does it matter which nut butter you choose? Is one more healthy than the other?

To see a side-by-side nutritional comparison of many popular nut butters

Simple Champagne Breakdown

FitSugar — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 02:30:00 -0800

New Year's Eve is here and most of us (me included) will be popping open a bottle of bubbly in celebration tonight. I'm not saying don't enjoy it, but before you drink the whole bottle check out this simple breakdown so you know how many calories you're consuming per glass.

1 Glass of Champagne (4.1 fl. oz)	91 calories
1 Bottle of Champagne (25.4 fl. oz)	495 calories

So what is to be learned from this simple breakdown? Everything in moderation is OK, just don't over do it. By drinking just one or two glasses of champagne you'll be saving yourself from unnecessary calories, and not to mention a horrible hangover.

Fit's Tip: Be safe tonight and if you do decide to have a glass (or three) of champagne, please do not drink and drive.

Source

In Case You Missed It: Best Breakdowns

FitSugar — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 10:15:00 -0800

Trying to watch what we eat can be tough when eating out. In 2007 I took the liberty of breaking down several menus so you could eat out while making smart food decisions. While the Breakdown feature is always a popular one on FitSugar, especially the pie breakdown during the holidays, here are the most popular breakdowns of 2007:

Source

The Top 20 Fast Food Items Highest In Calories

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 07:30:00 -0800

My friends over at ACalorieCounter.com went through the nutrition facts of every single item from the menus of 25 popular fast food restaurants to put together a list of 272 fast food items highest in calories.

Here are the top 20 highest calories items from the list:

White Castle Chocolate Shake - Large (Louisville region): 1680
Nathan's Fish N Chips: 1537
Carl's Jr. Double Six Dollar Burger: 1520
Hardee's Monster Thickburger: 1420
Dairy Queen Large Choc. Chip Cookie Dough Blizzard: 1320
Hardee's Double Bacon Cheese Thickburger: 1300
Dairy Queen Large Chocolate Malt: 1300
Nathan's Chicken Tender Platter: 1300
Jack In The Box OREO Cookie Ice Cream Shake (24oz): 1290
Dairy Queen Chicken Strip Basket (6 piece): 1270

To see the rest of the list

Starbucks Holiday Drinks Breakdown

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 08:45:00 -0800

When you're out running holiday errands, do you stop at Starbucks for a little pick-me-up? Let me tell you: Those cups are full of more than holiday cheer; some of the drinks pack in an amazing amount of calories and fat into a 16 ounce cup. Not surprisingly, that Eggnog Latte is the worst offender, but thankfully it doesn't come with whipped cream. Even without the extra dollop of saturated fat, this holiday latte contains almost 25 percent of your daily caloric intake.

Want to see the caloric damage one holiday-themed Grande can do? Then

Newman's Own Peanut Butter Cups

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 10:15:00 -0800

Sometimes you just want to indulge in your favorite candy, but you want a healthier alternative. For those moments you can substitute you old standby Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, with Newman's Own Peanut Butter cups. This company makes great products that taste delicious and are filled with ingredients you recognize.

So are these any healthier for you than Reese's Peanut Butter Cups? To find out

Fast Food Breakdown Round Up

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 13:30:00 -0800

In honor of National Fast Food Day, I thought I would do a little round up of my nutritional breakdowns of many of the popular joints. Take heed: The fat and calories in many of the foods may upset your stomach a bit!

Last but not least:

French fries from your favorite restaurants

If you are still going to celebrate this day of fast food by eating at your fave restaurant, check out Fast Food Mayhem, my tips on how to order as healthy as possible. Or you could celebrate in a calorie-free way by taking Yum's I'm Lovin' It, Are You? Fast Food Quiz. By the way, I rocked the quiz!

Source

Turkey Talk: White Meat vs. Dark Meat

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 11:45:00 -0800

When it comes to eating turkey, I like to dabble on the dark side of things and eat a drumstick. It gives me that old English monarch feeling. Yet dark meat has a bad rap, so I wanted to know just how bad it really is.

First off, to satisfy your curiosity as to why there is dark meat in the first place, you need to know that since turkeys don't really fly much, their legs and thighs are the birds' primary mode of transportation. The muscles of the legs and thigh are full of myoglobin proteins, which ship oxygen to the muscle cells so the turkeys can run around all day and not get tired. Myoglobins make the flesh darker, and consequently, dark meat is considerably higher in iron.

So how do all the different types of meat compare nutritionally? To see just

Pie Breakdown

FitSugar — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 10:15:00 -0800

To many of us, Thanksgiving means pies — lots and lots of pies. From apple pie to pumpkin pie, you're most likely going to encounter at least a slice or two this holiday season. When you do, use this breakdown to make the best decisions about which pies you could (and shouldn't) indulge in.

To see the pie breakdown, just

Alexia Mozzarella Stix

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 14:30:00 -0800

Some nights I really don't feel much like cooking a huge meal, so when I'm at the store, I always try to grab some quick meals that are healthy and look tasty. There are so many great options in the freezer, like Kashi frozen entrées and Amy's Organic Bowls. They taste great and I feel good about eating them because they're made with all-natural ingredients.

I recently came across these Alexia Mozzarella Stix. I used to order cheese sticks at restaurants all the time when I was a kid, so I had to pick up a box and try them out. Want to see how healthy they are for you? Then

Fast Food Breakdown: French Fries

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 11:45:00 -0800

What is it about french fries that makes us crave them so? Is it the saltiness? The crispy outside and soft, warm inside? Is it that they make ketchup taste so good?

Well whatever the reason, people love them and fast-food joints know that. Unfortunately deep-fried foods aren't exactly healthy for us, which we know, but maybe seeing some actual numbers will help prevent us from ordering the super-size fries at Mickey D's next time.

Want to see the nutritional info? Then

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 07:30:00 -0800

'Tis the season of seasonal drinks, and coffee is no exception. Starbucks is now offering a Pumpkin Spice Latte, just in time for Thanksgiving. They explain the drink as "a delicious blend of pumpkin and traditional fall spice flavors combined with our signature espresso and freshly steamed milk, and topped with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spices."

I don't know about you, but I am not that interested in blending my latte with pumpkin spices. I would drink my coffee and have my pie on the side. Just in case you are headed to Starbucks to try this latte, you might want to know what you are about to get into calorie-wise.

Flavor (Grande 16 oz.)	Calories	Fat calories	Carbs (g)	Sugar (g)
Pumpkin Spice Latte, Non Fat, No Whip	260	5	50	48
Pumpkin Spice Latte Whole Milk Fat, With Whip	380	13	51	49
Caffe Latte, Non Fat, No Whip	130	0	19	18

I included a regular ol' non fat latte so you could see that the pumpkin spice flavoring adds 130 calories if you order the non fat version of the flavored drink. Not to mention there's an extra 30 grams of sugar added too. Of course, I think if you are going to try the seasonal drink you will order it with non fat milk and no whipped cream. Right?

Romano's Macaroni Grill Breakdown

FitSugar — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 09:30:00 -0800

Romano's Macaroni Grill can be found at or around almost every mall and strip mall in the USA. Many years ago I ate there once, and after taking a look at their nutritional menu today, I am shocked I didn't have a heart attack on the spot (exaggeration, I know). I know it's convenient and there are those of you that love this place, so before you go, be sure to check out this breakdown of many of the popular Italian items served.

Item	Calories	Fat (g)	Saturated Fat (g)	Carbs (g)	Sodium (mg)
Calamari Fritti	1210	78	13	66	4170
Tomato Bruschetta	1000	70	11	75	1810
House Salad (w/o dressing)	130	5	2	15	460
Insalata Blue (w/ chicken)	570	38	12	9	1020
Mozzarella alla Caprese (half order)	260	21	7	5	410
Grilled Asparagus (side order)	30	1	0	4	590
Lobster Ravioli	1090	78	54	55	1910
Pollo Magro "Skinny Chicken"	330	5	1	29	770
Simple Salmon	590	40	6	5	1390
Chicken Parmesan	1490	68	35	129	3510
Veal Marsala	1270	64	44	116	2660
Fettuccine Alfrredo (w/ chicken)	1370	97	56	68	1300
Spaghetti & Meatballs (w/ meat sauce)	2430	128	57	207	5290
Traditional Lasagna	1040	54	30	65	2800

Before you go saying I've only pointed out the things that are bad for you, the only dinner items (aside from salads) that had less than 830 calories are listed ("Skinny Chicken," Chicken Cannelloni, and Simple Salmon)—almost every item had 1,000 plus calories.

For deserts and kids items, just

Domino's Breakdown (It's Pretty Scary)

FitSugar — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 07:30:00 -0700

A few weeks ago, I got all riled up while watching The Biggest Loser. All the food commercials were for seriously crappy food. It seems more than a little mean to advertise calorie laden food during an inspirational weight loss show. Especially if you consider that the majority of viewers are watching to get a little inspiration on their own path to get in shape.

The one that bothered me the most was by Domino's Pizza; they were advertising their amazing Oreo Pizza. What's the deal with that? It's not enough to make decadent, calorie-laden cheese pizzas, so they have to make dessert pizza too? I'm not even going to question how much crap is in it (although this commercial is pretty funny, I can admit that).

We can all agree that it serves no nutritional purpose, but if you're curious to how many calories are in a slice of this Oreo Pizza pie,

Halloween Survival Guide: Candy Breakdown

FitSugar — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:45:00 -0700

I have a love-hate relationship with Halloween. I love going pumpkin picking, making jack-o-lanterns, roasting pumpkin seeds, and creating costumes. Oh, who am I kidding? I also love the candy, the bags of tiny bite-sized servings are my weakness. To keep my candy intake in check, I buy my candy a few days before Halloween and buy the candy I don't like.

How bad are these tasty little morsels, really? A few bites can't hurt, right? To see how many calories haunt your favorite Halloween candy,

A Breakdown of Tiny Tastes

FitSugar — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 10:15:00 -0700

I'm a huge fan of enhancing my meals with a little somethin' somethin'. A slice of cheese here, a pat of butter there, a smear of peanut butter on that. It's just a little bit, so it can't really affect my diet, right?

Well, if you're trying to lose weight, cutting calories is the way to do it. If you're always adding and sprinkling and smearing extras onto your food, well all those little things could start to add up. I'm not saying you need to ditch the little pleasures of life, like a dollop of mayo, but here's a breakdown so you can add them up for yourself. It's just good to be conscious of what they're worth, instead of just pretending that they don't mean much.

Want to see the random list of common tiny tastes? Then

Einstein Bros. Bagels Breakdown

FitSugar — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 09:30:00 -0700

Nutritionally speaking, the beloved bagel is unfortunately one of the worst breakfast foods around. However, sometimes you just need a bagel. For those in their time of need I have created this breakdown of Einstein Bros. Bagels, so you can at least make wise choices when you are there.

Item	Calories	Fat (g.)	Sat. Fat (g.)	Sodium (mg.)	Carbs (g.)	Sugar (g.)
Plain Bagel	290	1	0	530	62	6
Egg Bagel	340	3	1	510	69	5
Onion Bagel	290	1.5	0	510	62	6
Poppy Seed Bagel	350	2	0	680	75	5
Everything Bagel	340	2	0	820	74	3
Honey Wheat Bagel	300	1	0	510	64	10
Sesame Seed Bagel	310	3	0	530	62	6
Asiago Cheese Bagel	360	3	1.5	570	71	4
Sun-Dried Tomato Bagel	290	2	0	620	60	4
Cinnamon Raisin Bagel	320	1.5	0	510	70	14
Chopped Garlic Bagel	380	3	1	680	79	3
Spinach Florentine Bagel	410	7	4	620	72	5

That's just the bagels, so for the breakdown of the spreads, schmears, and extras

Starbucks Star Breakdown

FitSugar — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 08:45:00 -0700

Celebrities love their Starbucks and, being FitSugar, I am a bit obsessed with how liquid calories often go unnoticed in our daily calorie intake. So, when it comes the the stars, I am always amazed at who's drinking what these days.

In light of this, I've taken a look at some of our favorite celebs drinking some of our favorite beverages and I've broken down who's making healthy choices and who's not. (One star is the worst choice, three stars is the best choice.)

Star	Starbucks Beverage	Calories	Star Rating
Britney Spears	Vanilla Bean Frappuccino (w/ caramel)	390	1/2 Star
Ashton Kutcher	Iced Soy Latte	85	Two Stars
Sophia Bush	Tazo Green Shaken Iced Tea	60	Three Stars
Ben Affleck	Tazo Passion Shaken Iced Tea	60	Three Stars
Lindsay Lohan	Iced Lemonade	162	One Star
Jennifer Garner	Iced Coffee (black)	60	Three Stars

All calculations are based on a tall or 12-ounce drink.

Pacific Coast News

El Pollo Loco Breakdown

FitSugar — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Who doesn't love El Pollo Loco? Something about flame-grilled Mexican chicken is just super yummy. The good news is that you can still do El Pollo Loco on a diet, you just have to make some healthy choices while you're there.

In this breakdown I've taken the guess work out of the menu to show you items you should probably eat/avoid.

Source

Here's what you may want to AVOID...
Item	Calories	Fat (g)	Sat Fat (g)	Sodium (mg)	Carbs (g)	Sugar (g)
Original Pollo Bowl	540	4	1	1590	85	1
Chicken Wing (1)	90	5	2	2090	0	0
Chicken Thigh (1)	220	15	5	310	0	0
Chicken Tostada Salad	840	40	11	1390	76	4
Caesar Pollo Salad	520	38	7	980	17	6
Classic Chicken Burrito	500	14	6	1230	63	1
Grilled Chicken Nachos	1090	55	21	3040	99	7
French Fries	440	21	4	910	57	0
Ranch Dressing (1pkt)	230	24	4	390	2	2

Too see what you should eat (and see my ideal meal) just

Easy Liquid Calorie Breakdown

FitSugar — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 07:30:00 -0700

We all know that drinks can pack a good amount of calories, but the problem is that you don't always get the calorie counts on the glass (fountain drinks, restaurants, etc.), which can make calculating the calories a tough feat.

In light of this WebMD has created an easy list of general calorie counts for common beverages. I suggest printing yourself out a copy and keeping it in your wallet.

Beverage	Calories
12-ounce light beer	110
12-ounce regular beer	160
8-ounce coffee with cream and sugar	30
5 ounces of wine	120-130
6-ounce wine spritzer	80 calories
16-ounce sweetened tea	160 calories
12-ounce diet soda	0
12-ounce soda	150 calories
20-ounce smoothie	410 calories

Keep in mind that the calorie counts are not exact, but a generalization to give you something to go by. For example, if you're getting a smoothie with peanut butter and whipped cream, it's probably going to be a bit more than 410 calories.

Source

Tofutti Cuties: Cholesterol and Lactose Free

FitSugar — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Since we all can agree that anything in moderation is good, including things made with soy, I had to tell you about a dairy-free dessert I love called Tofutti Cuties.

Not only do they have an adorable name, but they're made with protein-rich soy without the lactose (good to know if you are vegan, have high cholesterol, or are lactose intolerant).

They come in a ton of flavors, including the classic Vanilla, Chocolate, Cookies 'n Cream, Totally Vanilla (the cookies are vanilla instead of chocolate), Strawberry Wave, Chocolate Wave, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Mint Chocolate Chip, Coffee Break, Wild Berry, Blueberry Wave, and Key Lime.

Want to see the nutritional info and a picture of what they really look like? Then

LARABAR Breakdown

FitSugar — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 02:00:00 -0700

I am a huge fan of LARABARs, as you all must know by now. I've raved about their Cashew Cookie, their Banana Cookie, and the Jocalat bars too, but I really do love all their flavors (except for the Pistachio, but that's just me).

I always keep half a dozen different kinds lying around, just in case I need a pre or post workout snack. They taste great and the nuts give me lots of "get up and go" energy.

So I was wondering how they compared nutritionally. Are you wondering too? To find out,

Dairy Queen Breakdown

FitSugar — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 07:30:00 -0700

I think Dairy Queen's tag line is Do Something Different because they want us to go against the healthy eating and just blow it all at their fine establishment. Don't get me wrong, I had my fair share of Blizzards in college however after learning the nutritional information, I am not sure a Blizzard will ever cross these lips again. So next time you're doing something different, make sure you go informed with this nutritional breakdown.

(Oh, and for your convenience I've highlighted the choices that are your best bet in green.)

Item	Calories	Fat (g)	Trans Fat (g)	Sodium (mg)	Carbs (g)	Sugar (g)
Homestyle Burger	350	14	0.5	400	33	8
FlameThrower GrillBurger (1/2 lb)	1030	73	4	2020	41	9
Grilled Chicken Salad (no dressing)	270	11	0	1160	92	9
Grilled Chicken Sandwich	350	16	0	780	49	6
Chicken Strip Basket (6 pc)	1270	67	12	2910	121	8
French Fries (med)	510	23	3.5	1070	70	1
Onion Rings (reg)	470	30	7	740	45	7

Enough with the salty (and by salty, I mean salty), but what about the real reason you go to Dairy Queen... The sweets! To see how they compare, just

More Fun With Fast Food: Double Roll Pizza Breakdown

FitSugar — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 07:30:00 -0700

After seeing the Double Roll Pizza from Pizza Hut, I have been dying to know how many calories and milligrams of sodium are in that thing.

This pizza is currently available at Pizza Huts all over Japan. I really hope this is not what other countries think American food is. Being that I don't read Japanese and also that I don't think Japan requires nutritional content to be posted, I decided to make an educated guess based on the image (with some translating help from user thisisalladream). Want to know the number I came up with? It's shocking, so

Alternative Baking Company

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Are you a cookie lover? Then have I got a cookie for you. If you haven't yet, you've got to try the cookies made by Alternative Baking Company, Inc.

All their cookies are vegan, which means they are made without eggs, honey, milk, or butter - but I tell you, you wouldn't know it unless I told you. Since the cookies contain no animal products, they are also cholesterol free. Even though it is a vegan cookie, it is still a cookie with fat and a considerable amount of calories.

Alternative Baking Company uses no artificial ingredients, refined sugars, hydrogenated oils, or preservatives. The cookies are made with organic wheat flour, but they also make wheat free cookies using organic barley flour.

Check out the multitude of flavors: Explosive Espresso Chip, Peanut Butter Persuasion, Phenomenal Pumpkin Spike, and Outrageous Oatmeal Raisin. My two favorites happen to be wheat free - Mac the Chip (made with chocolate chips and whole macadamia nuts) and Snickerdoodle (delightfully cinnamon flavored).

Want to see the nutritional breakdown for one of these cookies? Then

Ben & Jerry's Breakdown

FitSugar — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 09:30:00 -0700

I love ice cream just about anytime of the year, but there's nothing more satisfying than spooning down some cold ice cream on a hot summer's day.

We all know that Ben & Jerry's ice cream is totally rich and decadent, and not exactly the healthiest thing on the planet. That's why it's great to know that they make healthier alternatives like Frozen Yogurt, Lighten Up (light ice cream and frozen yogurt with less fat, sugar, and calories), and Sorbets.

Want to check out the nutritional info for these delicious summer treats? Then

Berry Breakdown

FitSugar — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 12:30:00 -0700

Berries are like nature's candy. Not only do they taste sweet and juicy, but they are so good for you. They are a good source of vitamins and phytochemicals (which help to fight disease or disorders).

For instance, cranberries and blueberries can fight off urinary tract infections. Blueberries and strawberries have been found to have anti-cancer properties. Dark colored berries like blackberries contain powerful antioxidants which can help to slow down the aging process. Berries, especially blueberries and raspberries, also contain something called lutein, which is important for healthy eyes. Wow, they may be tiny, but they sure are powerfully healthy!

Want to see how these berries compare nutritionally, then

Starbucks Orange Frappuccino Breakdown

FitSugar — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 04:00:00 -0700

Summer is upon us and Starbucks has created a new flavored Frappuccino to entice you. Cool coffee drinks in the heat seem like a good idea, but their new featured beverage the Orange Crème Frappuccino® Blended Crème, doesn't even contain coffee. Nope, it's a glorified dreamsicle milkshake. I am not knocking the flavor, but the calories seem a bit high, though you can always opt for the Light version made with Splenda. The Light option has no whip. No siree bob...if you get the light version, you will get no whip. In my opinion, all these drinks should be ordered with NO WHIP, since the whipped cream adds a lot of additional calories to the drinks.

Here's the breakdown of the Orange drinks now featured at Starbucks.

Flavor (Tall 12 oz.)	Calories	Fat calories	Carbs (g)	Sugar (g)
Orange Crème Frappuccino® Blended Crème No Whip	250	15	51	42
Orange Crème Frappuccino® Blended Crème with Whip	330	90	53	44
Orange Mocha Frappuccino® Blended Coffee No Whip	230	25	47	40
Orange Mocha Frappuccino® Blended Coffee with Whip	310	100	49	40
Orange Crème Frappuccino® Light Blended Crème	110	0	25	20

All these drinks contain a lot of sugar, even the light version has 20 grams which is roughly 4 teaspoons. Too much sugar for my taste. Plus, I generally want and/or need the caffeine so I will stick with my simple iced coffee.

BBQ Condiment Breakdown

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 15:45:00 -0700

Condiments are so much more than ketchup and mustard.

By definition, a condiment is "a substance applied to food in the form of a sauce, powder, spread, or similar, to enhance or improve the flavor. Condiments are typically smeared with knives, squirted, or spooned onto other foods."

With that in mind, let's see how these flavor enhancers compare nutritionally. Want to see? Then

Sushi Breakdown

FitSugar — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 09:30:00 -0700

Oftentimes we think of sushi as a healthy way to eat out, while that may be true some rolls can pack a lot of hidden calories and sodium. Hopefully this breakdown will help you to be wise in your choices the next time you're eating sushi.

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Item	Calories	Fat (g)	Sodium (mg)	Carbs (g)
Edamame (1/2 cup)	90	5	3	2
Seaweed Salad (1/2 cup)	70	4	10	8
California Roll (1 roll)	361	6	66	7
Philly Roll (1 roll)	517	20	59	7
Shrimp Tempura Roll (1 roll)	508	21	64	10
Tempura Roll (1 roll)	531	11	82	10
Dragon Roll (1 roll)	507	18	66	13
Rainbow Roll (1 roll)	489	9	66	7
Veggie Roll (1 roll)	349	7	65	9
Spicy Tuna Roll (1 roll)	449	11	57	7
Salmon Nigiri (1 pc.)	68	1	9	1
Eel Nigiri (1 pc.)	108	5	11	2
Shrimp Nigiri (1 pc.)	44	0	8	1
Egg Cake Nigiri (1 pc.)	73	1	13	5
Tuna Nigiri (1 pc.)	60	0	8	1
Yellowtail Nigiri (1 pc.)	54	0.5	8	1
Pickled Ginger (13 g)	9	0	2.4	1
Wasabi (4 g)	7	0	1	0
Soy Sauce (1 pkt)	16	0	2	0

Fit's Tips: The spicy items tend to be higher in calories as the spicy sauce is usually mayonnaise based. Also, tempura (aka fried) means higher calories, so don't go tempura if you're looking for lighter fare. Finally, look for a lower sodium soy sauce, most restaurants have both options and the low sodium will greatly reduce your salt intake.

Kind Fruit + Nut Bars

FitSugar — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 13:30:00 -0700

Walking through the health food store, I am always looking for new snacks to try. I look for ones that have few ingredients, so when I came upon KIND Fruit + Nut Bars, and I could see the whole nuts and pieces of dried fruit, I had to pick some up.

There are tons of flavors to choose from like Macadamia & Apricot, Walnut & Date, and Banana & Oat Bran. They are gluten-free, dairy-free, have no trans fat, no GMO, are a good source of fiber, and have no added preservatives, colors, or flavors.

How do they taste? So delicious! They're got a great chewy and crunchy texture that was very satisfying. All the natural ingredients make this bar so flavorful, and a great afternoon snack before or after a workout. Plus, they're conveniently wrapped, so you can stash them in your desk, purse, or gym bag.

They're made in Australia with all natural ingredients, and 5% of the profits go to OneVoice, a PeaceWorks foundation that fosters co-existence in the Middle East, so they're good for your body and for the world.

Want to see the nutritional info? Then