Is there anyone who DOESN’T include “Lose weight” on their list of New Year’s resolutions?
The holiday excesses are usually followed by lots of diet books such as the new “The Biggest Loser Quick And Easy Cookbook,” written by Devin Alexander and staff and cast members from NBC’s popular weight-loss reality series. It’s full of recipes as well as quick-fix ideas from contestants.
Soon beginning its 13th season, “The Biggest Loser” has spawned a number of cookbooks, as well as exercise DVDs, water bottles, protein powders, calorie counters, two fitness resorts among its “branded” products.
I met Devin Alexander in 2004 at the Pillsbury Bake-off in Hollywood, where she spoke to food editors about her career as a caterer for celebrities such as Reba McEntire and Carol Burnett. Long before the Biggest Loser came calling, she had a reputation for cooking good-tasting, but healthy, low-calorie meals. I asked her for advice on a Hollywood travel story that I was working on for the Deseret News. She was very helpful, and we kept in touch when I returned home.
Unfortunately, my travel story never made it to print, due to how quickly the entertainment business changes. I wrote about the Brad Pitt/Jennifer Aniston compound as a highlight of a “homes of the stars” bus tour. But before the story went to press, the couple split. I wrote about being in the audience of the Ryan Seacrist show, and how to get tickets — his show was canceled two weeks later. I’d managed to score a lunch reservation at the Ivy — a hangout of A-list celebrities — but had to cancel in order to cover Pillsbury Bake-off events. I guess it was just fate.
Over the years, Alexander emailed me occasionally about her latest projects, so I knew beforehand when she made her debut on “The Biggest Loser” series. She has also written successful cookbooks of her own, such as “Fast Food Fix” and “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Fattening.”
Although the recipes are billed as “quick and easy,” most are not the “rip open a bag of processed food and add a can of something” type of convenience recipes. They use fresh fruits and vegetables, which may require a little peeling and chopping; and whole grains. They also call for ingredients such as all-natural, low-salt, agave- or honey-sweetened ketchup, or all-natural low-fat cheddar cheese, and all-natural bacon bits. These may be hard to find in a general supermarket.
It may seem like a bit of effort for one serving. But, maybe that’s the point, to tell yourself your health and well-being is worth it.
Sprinkled throughout the book are quotes from various contestants about their “go-to” snacks or dinners. They offer quick ideas when the alternative might be running to the fast food drive-through.
“I love to spread a couple of Crispbread crackers with a little bit of goat cheese,” wrote Joe Mitchell of Season 12. “I then throw one or two pieces of lean ham on top, and it’s like a fast and healthy crispy sandwich.”
“When I get a chocolate craving, I snack on Greek yogurt mixed with cocoa powder, Truvia, and vanilla,” wrote Hannah Curlee from Seaon 11. “It’s a little more than 100 calories, and it taste like chocolate pudding!”
Jesse Atkins from Season 10 wrote that he adds a cup of raw spinach in his smoothies (along with a cup of frozen strawberries, a half-cup of frozen raspberries, a cup of milk and a cup of water). “The spinach doesn’t change the taste at all. It’s just a great way to get an extra serving of veggies in there! “ he said. If you need more sweetness to the smoothie, he advises using a packet of Truvia sweetener.
Miggy Cancel of Season 9 said she likes to combine a variety of beans, such as white, red and black. “Add cucumber and tomatoes, some fresh cilantro, and olive oil. Let the salad marinate for a few hours. It’s a high source of protein and a convenient meal!”
“My favorite dish is a very simple BLT that uses thin wheat bread, turkey bacon and lettuce,” said Dan Evans of Season 11. “When I really splurge, I add a dab of low-calories cream cheese instead of low-fat mayo. It’s just something I invented with what was in the Ranch kitchen, and it’s only about 150 calories!”
Deni Hill, the Bountiful woman who won Season 11’s $100,00 at-home prize, contributed a recipe for Gazpacho Quinoa. Last summer when I did a Deseret News story on Deni and other Utah contestants, she shared a recipe for a black bean and quinoa salad.
“I’d never heard of quinoa until The Biggest Loser,” she said. “But now I make it and add veggies to create a wrap sandwich with it, or have it as a side salad. I love it.”
Deni is now involved in a program called Sponsor Me Slim, and talks about her weight loss journey on her website, denihill.com.
Here is a recipe from the book:
Crunchy Cajun Chickpeas
Olive oil spray (propellant free)
1 tablespoon all-natural egg substitute
½ tablespoon whole grain oat flour
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon cayenne
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
1 can no-salt-added chickpeas, drained, rinsed and patted dry
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Mist a large nonstick baking sheet with the olive oil spray. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg substitute, flour, paprika, salt, black pepper, cayenne, and garlic powder together until combined. Add the chickpeas and toss to coat. Place them on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer so they do not touch.
Bake for 15 minutes, then rotate the chickpeas with a spatula. Bake for 17-20 minutes longer, or until crispy and hot. Serve immediately. Makes 2 heaping ½-cup servings.
Nutrition per ½ cup serving: 222 calories, 12 grams protein 39 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams fat, trace saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 8 grams fiber, 210 mg sodium.
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