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COOKBOOK

THE

FORCE FACTOR
COOKBOOK
Companion recipes for your workout and Force Factor
supplement program selected to help you
Unleash Your Potential
Anthony Lewis

Copyright 2012 Force Factor, LLC


All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced
in any form without written permission from the publisher.

CONTENTS
BREAKFAST.....................................................................................................................................3
SOUPS...........................................................................................................................................17
SALADS.........................................................................................................................................31
POULTRY.......................................................................................................................................46
BEEF.............................................................................................................................................61
PORK............................................................................................................................................74
FISH & SHELLFISH..........................................................................................................................84
SIDES & SAUCES............................................................................................................................98
DESSERTS & SNACKS...................................................................................................................111
PROTEIN SHAKES.........................................................................................................................124

BREAKFAST
Youve heard it before: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
Well, its true, especially when youre trying to build muscle, lose weight, or
just get in better shape. The fuel you give your body at breakfast can make
a huge difference for your energy level at the gym later on. It can also help
you to stay on track with your diet plan and resist temptations later. During
sleep, our body is fasting. So, breakfast literally means breaking the fast.
You need nutrients in the morning to start up your metabolism and get
your body back to building muscle. Thats why many experts recommend
you eat breakfast like a king and make dinner your smallest meal.
The building blocks of a great breakfast include proteins, complex
carbohydrates for energy, fiber for fullness, and a small amount of
(healthful) fats. Breakfast is the right time of the day to ingest the
carbohydrates you need for energy. Choose complex carbs in the morning
to avoid the insulin surge caused by simple carbohydrates (like sugars).
For breakfast, weve included recipes that cover the basics of our favorite
morning muscle-building meals. From the protein-rich eggs in our Easy
Spinach Frittata to the complex carbs of oats in our Chocolate Banana
Oatmeal to a makeover of traditional pancakes, weve got great choices
that will get you out of bed in the morning and fill you up so youre ready to
start your day.

THE RECIPES
BREAKFAST EGG CUPS............................... 5
CAULIFLOWER HASH................................. 6
CHOCOLATE BANANA OATMEAL.................. 7
EASY SPINACH FRITTATA............................ 8
FIESTA EGGS............................................. 9
FRENCH VANILLA OATMEAL...................... 10
LOW-FAT BREAKFAST BURRITO................. 11
MEDITERRANEAN EGG WHITE OMELET...... 12
PROTEIN PANCAKES................................ 13
PUMPKIN PIE OATMEAL........................... 14
ZUCCHINI PANCAKES............................... 15

Breakfast Egg Cups


Making breakfast for a crowd? These vegetable egg cups will keep everyone full and satisfied
through the morning. You can substitute low or non-fat cheddar cheese for the mozzarella if you
prefer the flavor. Chopped, cooked Canadian bacon can also be substituted for the bacon bits.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 medium onion, chopped

Preheat oven to 350F.

1 red bell pepper, chopped


4 cloves garlic, minced

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and red

1 tablespoon olive oil

pepper and cook until just before onions become translucent. Add garlic

1 cups fresh spinach, torn

and fresh spinach and saut until spinach is fully cooked (spinach will

12 large eggs

shrink dramatically in size). Remove from heat to cool.

1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded


3 tablespoons bacon bits

In a medium bowl, whip the eggs, shredded cheese, and bacon bits.
When completely incorporated, add cooled veggies and mix well.
Spray a muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray. Spoon the egg mixture
evenly into 18 muffin cups. Cook in the oven for 20 minutes or until eggs
are set.
Makes 18 savory egg muffins.

Cauliflower Hash
Both fast-food and diner-style hash browns are diet-disasters. Deep frying in oil adds lots of fat
and saturated fat to the starchy potatoes. As oily and greasy as French fries, they can also be
as addicting, making it impossible to stop after just a few bites. Instead, try our cauliflower hash.
The cooked cauliflower has a similar texture to potatoes but has less starch (and fewer carbs) per
serving. Using turkey bacon and just a little oil also helps keep the fat content under control.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

12 ounces of fresh cauliflower, well grated

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the bacon and onion and

4 slices turkey bacon

cook until they just begin to brown. Add in the cauliflower and some of the

cup chopped onion

oil. Stir continuously, adding the remainder of the oil gradually as needed

1 tablespoon olive oil

while the cauliflower browns. The hash is complete when the cauliflower is

Salt and pepper, to taste

very soft and browned all over.


Makes 2 servings.

Chocolate-Banana Oatmeal
If youre a fan of chocolate in the morning, than this is the oatmeal recipe for you. Using a low-calorie
hot cocoa mix and zero-calorie sweetener helps keep the calorie and fat count low so you can get a
sweet fix while youre getting complex carbs for all-day energy from the oatmeal and potassium from
the bananas.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

cup regular oats

In a small bowl, mix the cocoa packet, boiling water, and cinnamon until

1 packet diet hot cocoa mix

dissolved. Add in the cold water and stir. Place in the refrigerator for at

cup boiling water

least 15 minutes.

teaspoon cinnamon
cup cold water

Remove from refrigerator and mix with oats and mashed banana in a

1 teaspoon zero-calorie sweetener

large (microwave-safe) bowl and cook in the microwave for 3 minutes.

1 small banana, mashed well

Stir, then allow it to cool and thicken before eating. Serve with additional
banana slices on top, if desired.
Makes 1 serving.

Easy Spinach Frittata


This spinach frittata packs a kick of heat from the jalapenos. If you dont like spicy food in the
morning, swap out the hot peppers for cup of chopped red bell pepper. If you want even more
spice in the morning, leave in some of the jalapeo seeds.
INGREDIENTS
12 eggs

Cook eggs in skillet for approximately 2 minutes, scraping the sides and

1 cup fresh spinach

bottom with a spatula. When eggs are somewhat cooked, but still very

4 jalapeo peppers, seeded and diced

loose (there should be chunks of cooked eggs amid the loose eggs), stop

cup chopped onion

stirring and allow it to cook for 1 minute longer.

cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded


3 tablespoons skim milk

Sprinkle the eggs with the remaining cup of cheese. Put skillet under
broiler and brown for 2-4 minutes.

DIRECTIONS
Preheat broiler.

Remove skillet from oven and allow it to sit for 5 minutes to complete
cooking. Cut into 8 wedges and enjoy.

Spray a skillet (12 preferred) with nonstick cooking spray and place over
medium-high heat. Saut spinach, peppers, and onions until cooked.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs with the milk and cup of the cheese.
Add egg mixture to the skillet.

Makes 8 servings.

Fiesta Eggs
Start the day off right with protein-packed eggs, lots of flavor, and a kick of spice. You can serve
these eggs plain, without the wrap, if you prefer, but the tortilla makes it super easy to take them for
breakfast on-the-go.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

4 whole-wheat, low-carb tortillas

Spray a large skillet with nonstick vegetable cooking spray. Over low heat,

2 green chilies (canned, drained), chopped finely

add the chopped chilies, onion, and tomatoes. Cover skillet and cook until

1 onion, chopped

tender, stirring occasionally.

2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped


3 whole eggs plus 1 egg white, beaten

In a bowl, combine eggs and taco seasoning. Uncover skillet and push

1 tablespoon taco seasoning

vegetables to one side of the pan. Add the egg mixture to the other side

2 tablespoons fat-free cheddar cheese, shredded

and scramble them. When the eggs are almost completely cooked, mix

Salt and pepper, to taste

them with the vegetables to complete the cooking. Season with salt and
pepper.
Place of cooked eggs on a whole wheat tortilla and sprinkle with
shredded cheese. Wrap tortilla up and enjoy.
Makes 4 servings.

French Vanilla Oatmeal


If youre a fan of flavored oatmeal, youve probably realized by now that buying pre-flavored packets
can jack up the price (and the sugar count) of your breakfast dramatically. Instead, do your wallet
and your body a favor by buying the plain kind and adding your favorite flavors in yourself! This
French Vanilla Oatmeal is a great example.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

cup oats

On the stove, add a dash of salt to the water and boil. Stir in oats and

Dash salt

cook for about 4 minutes on medium heat. Add in the almond milk and

cup water

cook 1-2 minutes longer. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and

cup vanilla-flavored almond milk

sweetener. Allow to cool and thicken for 2 minutes. Then top with sliced

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

almonds and sprinkle with brown sugar.

1 teaspoon zero-calorie sweetener


2 ounces chopped almonds
teaspoon brown sugar

10

Makes 1 serving.

Low-Fat Breakfast Burrito


When youre on-the-go in the morning it can be tempting to stop in for a fast-food breakfast. Instead,
weve got an easy and portable option for you to try with this breakfast burrito. It delivers the protein,
complex carbohydrates, and fiber you need to feel full and have energy at the gym later on.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 low-fat whole wheat tortilla

Spray a small frying pan with nonstick cooking spray. Saut the onions,

1 whole egg + 2 egg whites, mixed

bell peppers, and chile over medium heat until the onions are translucent.

2 tablespoons chopped onions

Add in the egg mixture and scramble gently until just before it reaches

2 tablespoons chopped red bell pepper

desired doneness. Mix in cheese for the final seconds of cooking.

1 teaspoon chopped green chile (optional)


1 tablespoon shredded non-fat cheese (e.g. cheddar or Monterey Jack)

Microwave the tortilla between 2 sheets of paper towels for 10 seconds

1 teaspoon chives, chopped

to soften it. Then, place the tortilla flat on a plate and add the scrambled

1 tablespoon chunky salsa

eggs on top. Sprinkle the chives and the salsa over the egg, add salt and

Salt and pepper, to taste

pepper to taste, and wrap up the tortilla.


Makes 1 serving.

11

Mediterranean Egg White Omelet


This is a great choice for those who love the Greek flavors of Kalamata olives and feta cheese. With
the whites of 5 eggs, this omelet is packed with protein and is ideal if youre looking to gain size or
recover from a workout. You can keep the fat to a minimum by choosing reduced fat cheese and
cooking your lean bacon in the microwave on paper towels. The towels help sop up extra fat and
grease so it doesnt end up in your eggs (or in your mouth).
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 whole egg

In a small bowl, mix the egg whites and whole egg with a fork. Add to

4 egg whites

a nonstick omelet pan or small skillet (sprayed with nonstick cooking

2 strips of cooked, lean turkey bacon, chopped

spray) over medium-high heat. Cook on one side until the bottom side

1 ounce reduced-fat feta cheese, crumbled

has completed cooking, then flip. Add the bacon, cheese, avocado,

2 tablespoons avocado, chopped

olives, spinach, and tomato atop of the omelet while the egg completes

5 large Kalamata olives, pitted and chopped

cooking. Fold egg over to cover the ingredients and serve hot.

cup fresh, chopped spinach


1 plum tomato, diced

12

Makes 1 serving.

Protein Pancakes
Using whey isolate protein powder in these pancakes keeps their carbohydrate count very low while
still allowing you to indulge in a favorite morning meal. The egg whites add more protein to these
pancakes, but if you want even more, spread 1 tablespoon of peanut butter over the top of a warm
pancake.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

cup oats

Cook oats by mixing oats and hot water in a small bowl. Stir well and allow

cup very hot water

to stand until the oats have absorbed much of the water and are fluffy.

1 scoop (approximately 40 grams) of whey isolate protein powder


cup egg whites

In a separate bowl, combine egg whites and protein powder. Mix well and

teaspoon cinnamon

then add to the oats mixture. Finally, stir in the cinnamon and optional nuts

cup chopped pecans, optional

if desired.
Spray a hot griddle pan with nonstick cooking spray. Add of the batter to
the pan and flip after cooking on the bottom side has completed and the
pancake is golden brown.
Makes 4 pancakes.

13

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal


Very few of our favorite holiday desserts are low-fat and healthful. Traditional pumpkin pie is no
exception. However, weve taken the pumpkin flavor and transformed the creamy richness of the
pie into a tasty, oatmeal breakfast that is packed with fiber to keep you full and energized for the
day ahead. Its a great choice to help you stave off the temptations during the holidays when youre
faced with the real deal.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

cup oats

Cook the oats according to package directions. When

2 tablespoons canned pumpkin puree

the oatmeal is finished cooking, but is still hot, add in the

1 tablespoon skim milk

pumpkin puree, brown sugar, sweetener, milk, and spices.

1 teaspoon brown sugar

Mix well. Cook for 1-2 minutes longer on the stovetop. Set

1 teaspoon zero-calorie sweetener

to cool and thicken for a minute before topping with a few

teaspoon cinnamon

dried cranberries and pecans.

teaspoon nutmeg
Dried cranberries and chopped pecans (optional toppings)

14

Makes 1 serving.

Zucchini Pancakes
Halfway between hash browns and pancakes, these zucchini patties are delicious and easy to make
on a hectic morning. Zucchini is easy on a low-carb diet, with just about 7 grams of carbs in 1 cup
cooked. Plus, its a great source of fiber, vitamin A, and vitamin C. The two eggs in the recipe hold it
all together, acting as protein-packed pancake glue.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 cup zucchini, grated

Grate the zucchini and blot lightly with a paper towel to remove some

2 eggs

excess moisture. Beat eggs together in a separate bowl.

2 tablespoons onion, grated


teaspoon garlic powder

Combine all ingredients except Canola oil and mix well.

teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon Canola oil

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. With hands, shape
mixture into 4 flattened patties and add to oil. Flip when browned on one
side to complete cooking.
Makes 2 servings.

15

SOUPS
Soup can act as both a meal starter and a meal substitute. High in liquid
content, soup eaten as a mid-day meal or as a first course can help you
satisfy your hunger and make you feel fuller. Some research shows that
eating soup before a main course can reduce the amount eaten by about
20% at the main meal. This means that having soup before your meal is
a good decision especially when you know youre going to be faced with
a tempting, unhealthful buffet/menu later on. When you feel full, youre
less likely to overindulge! If youre cutting weight, soup can serve as a
low-calorie meal substitute. Try pairing one of our soups with a small
side salad or a slice of toasted whole-wheat bread to fill up your stomach
even more.
To keep fat intake low, weve chosen soups that are broth and vegetablebased instead of those that are high in cream and/or butter. Chunky
vegetable soups like our Vegetable Minestrone and Zesty Taco Soup also
have the extra filling power of fiber from vegetables. If you like a thicker,
creamier soup, our vegetable puree-based soups, like the Pumpkin Soup
and Creamy Carrot Soup, will definitely satisfy.

THE RECIPES
CHICKEN, NOODLE, & SPINACH SOUP....... 19
CREAMY CARROT SOUP........................... 20
FAT-FREE TOMATO SOUP........................... 21
GAZPACHO WITH CHICKPEAS................... 22
MINTY PEA SOUP.................................... 23
MISO SOUP WITH MUSHROOMS............... 24
PUMPKIN SOUP...................................... 25
ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP....... 26
SPICY BLACK BEAN SOUP........................ 27
VEGETABLE MINESTRONE......................... 28
ZESTY TACO SOUP................................... 29

Chicken, Noodle, & Spinach Soup


Weve taken the classic chicken noodle soup and packed it full of nutritious and fiber-rich veggies.
8 ounces of spinach may look like a lot when fresh, but it will shrink dramatically when you add it to
the hot soup. Even after it has shrunk in the soup, the spinach is still a great way to get vitamin C,
vitamin A, and calcium.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 tablespoon olive oil

Over medium heat, add oil to a large soup pot and saut garlic, onion, bell

2 cloves garlic, minced

peppers, celery, carrots, and leeks. Cook, stirring often, until the onions

1 large onion, chopped

are translucent. Add the chicken stock and season with salt and pepper

1 red bell pepper, chopped

and optional chili powder if desired. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and allow

1 green bell pepper, chopped

soup to simmer for 40 minutes.

1 cups celery, chopped


cup sliced carrots

Add the fresh spinach and cover the pot. Let spinach reduce in size,

1 cup leeks, chopped

cooking for approximately 2 minutes. Then add noodles and chicken. Cook

4 cups fat-free chicken stock or broth

for 5 minutes longer and serve hot.

teaspoon chili powder (optional)


8 ounces fresh spinach leaves, roughly chopped

Makes 6 servings.

1 cup egg noodles, cooked to al dente


lb. cooked chicken breast, cut into cubes
Salt and pepper, to taste

19

Creamy Carrot Soup


If you love carrots, this is the perfect soup for you. Creamy, yet light, this soup has a little sweetness
from the brown sugar and a little spice from the nutmeg. The carrots are an excellent source of
vitamin A which is great for your vision, immune system, cellular health, and much more.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

10 medium carrots, cleaned and sliced

Heat the carrots with the brown sugar and water in a large saucepan.

2 tablespoons brown sugar

Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes. The carrots should be very

2 cups water

tender. Drain them and set aside.

3 tablespoons flour
teaspoon nutmeg

In a clean saucepan, combine the flour, nutmeg, and milk. Stirring

4 cups skim milk

constantly, cook over medium-high heat until the sauce thickens.

Salt and pepper to taste


Parsley, to garnish

Add both the white sauce and drained carrots to a blender and puree until
smooth. You may thin the soup with a little hot water, if desired. Garnish
with parsley and serve hot.
Makes 4 servings.

20

Fat-Free Tomato Soup


Soup is a great way to fill up your stomach; however, many creamy soups can also fill out your
waistline. Our tomato soup is tasty with Italian-inspired flavors and no fat. Serve it piping hot as a
starter or alongside a toasted sandwich as a main course.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 cup chopped onion

Spray a large saucepan with nonstick spray and saut the onions and

2 cloves garlic, crushed

garlic over medium heat. Cover pan and stir occasionally. When onions

teaspoon cumin

are cooked, add the cumin and black pepper and stir. Turn the heat to low

teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground

and cover.

3 cans (28 ounces each) tomatoes with their juice


2 medium ripe tomatoes, chopped well

Drain the canned tomatoes and set their juice aside. Blend the tomatoes

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced

until completely smooth using a blender or food processor. Add blended

teaspoon dried oregano

tomatoes to the onion mixture. Then add their reserved juice and the fresh
diced tomatoes. Cover pot and let simmer on low heat for 45 minutes.
Remove from heat, sprinkle with parsley and oregano and serve.
Makes 12 servings.

21

Gazpacho with Chickpeas


Soups can fill you up all year long. This gazpacho is served cold, so its perfectly refreshing for a
hot summer day. The addition of the chickpeas adds in a lot more fiber to help you feel fuller, faster.
Chickpeas are also rich in important minerals like calcium, iron, and zinc.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Cover and chill in the

6 cups tomato juice

refrigerator for at least 1 hour prior to serving. Garnish with fresh cilantro,

1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered

if desired.

3 cloves garlic, crushed


cup cucumber, finely chopped
cup red onion, finely chopped
1 teaspoon dried parsley
teaspoon hot sauce
cup lime juice
Fresh cilantro, optional

22

Makes 6 servings.

Minty Pea Soup


Fresh green peas have comparatively more sugar and starch than many other green vegetables, but
they also have bonus phytonutrients, including some that may have anti-inflammatory benefits. If you
prefer a chunkier pea soup, feel free to skip the straining step in this recipe.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

2 teaspoons light butter

In a saucepan over medium-high heat, saut the onions in the butter

1 cup chopped onions

until they begin to turn translucent. Add in the peas, broth, and water and

4 cups green peas, shelled

bring to a boil. Reduce heat and allow the soup to simmer for 10 minutes.

3 cups fat-free chicken broth

Remove the pot from the heat and allow it to cool for 15 minutes. Then stir

2 cups water

in the lime juice and season with salt and pepper.

1 tablespoon lime juice


2 tablespoons finely chopped mint

Puree the pea mixture in a blender until smooth. Pour half of the blended

2 tablespoons chopped walnuts, optional

soup through a sieve to remove the solids. Allow the other half of the
mixture to remain unstrained. Combine both halves and return to the
stovetop over low heat until ready to serve. Just before serving, sprinkle in
mint and garnish with walnuts, if desired
Makes 6 servings.

23

Miso Soup with Mushrooms


Whether youre dining out or at home, miso soup is a smart choice for keeping your calorie count
low. 1 cup of this soup has just 100 calories. Miso is a Japanese flavoring made from soybeans.
White miso has a light flavor, but you can increase the level of flavor by choosing a darker variety
instead.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 tablespoon olive oil

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Saut the

1 onion, finely chopped

onion until translucent. Then add the tomatoes, ginger, and garlic and

1 cup diced tomatoes, peeled and seeded

saut for about 5 minutes. Add the stock and bring the soup to a boil.

3 cloves garlic, minced

Reduce heat and let simmer.

1 tablespoon peeled, minced ginger


4 cups vegetable broth

Add the miso, stirring constantly until dissolved. Add the cubed tofu,

2 tablespoons white miso

mushrooms, and arugula leaves and simmer for 1-2 minutes longer.

lb. tofu, drained and cubed

Sprinkle with green onion and serve immediately

5 ounces shiitake (or similar) mushrooms, sliced thinly


1 cup arugula or watercress leaves
cup chopped green onion, for garnish

24

Makes 4 servings.

Pumpkin Soup
Canned pumpkin is available year-round, but this soup makes a great lunch especially during the fall
and winter. Having this soup before your meal may even help you avoid the temptation of pumpkin
pie later on! As an added bonus, pumpkin puree is very low in fat and calories and an excellent
source of vitamin E, vitamin A, and fiber.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 cup water

In a large saucepan on medium-high heat, cook the onion in cup of the

1 medium onion, chopped

water until tender, approximately 4 minutes. Add the remaining cup of

1 (8 ounce) can pumpkin

water, pumpkin, broth, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix well and bring to a boil.

1 cup vegetable broth

Reduce heat and allow soup to simmer for 5 minutes. Gently stir in the

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

milk and heat until warm enough to serve. Do not allow the soup to boil

teaspoon ground nutmeg

after the milk has been added.

1 cup fat-free milk


Salt and pepper, to taste

Season with salt and pepper and serve.


Makes 4 servings.

25

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup


Roasting the squash for this recipe makes for a tasty, sweet soup. Butternut squash is a great
source of vitamin A and vitamin C while being full of fiber. The squash and chicken broth allow this
soup to remain very low in fat while still being creamy and satisfying.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 lbs peeled butternut squash, cut into cubes

Preheat oven to 375 F.

1 tablespoon olive oil


teaspoon salt

Combine squash, olive oil, salt, onion, and ginger in a baking dish and

1 medium onion, peeled and chopped in large chunks

toss well to coat with the oil. Bake in the oven for 50 minutes. Vegetables

1 ounce peeled ginger, thinly sliced

should be very tender. Remove from oven and let cool for 15-20 minutes.

2 cups fat-free chicken broth


When cool enough to blend, place the roasted vegetables and chicken
broth in a blender and blend until smooth. Blend half at a time if your
blender cannot fit all of the vegetables at once. Pour blended mixture into
a large soup pot and heat on the stove over medium heat until the soup is
hot enough to serve.
Makes 6 servings.

26

Spicy Black Bean Soup


The soup will warm you up with a spicy kick on a cold day. Nutritionally, the black beans are a
powerhouse. Theyre packed with both protein and fiber and are high in flavonoid antioxidants. You
can make this a completely vegetarian dish by subbing vegetable broth for the chicken broth as well.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 cup frozen corn kernels

In a blender, process 2 cans of the black beans with the chicken broth. Set

3 (15-ounce) cans of black beans, rinsed and drained

aside.

1 cups fat-free chicken broth


1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes

Spray a Dutch oven with nonstick cooking spray and heat on medium-

teaspoon cumin

high. Add frozen corn to the pan and saut for 5 minutes or until just

tablespoon chili powder

beginning to brown. Add in the blended beans, the remaining can of whole

1 teaspoon salt

beans, the tomatoes (with liquid), cumin, chili powder, and salt. Stir to
combine. Bring the soup to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium, and
simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Makes 6 servings.

27

Vegetable Minestrone
Dont be intimidated by the long list of ingredients in this soup! Most are vegetables that are easy to
find in your grocery store year-round. Although chopping the vegetables takes time, its worth it. This
soup is chock-full of tasty (and fat-free!) vegetables that will fill you up with fiber and a huge number
of other important nutrients. Its a great choice for satisfying your hunger before a winter meal so
you wont go overboard on the main course.
INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon olive oil

cup uncooked shell-shaped pasta

1 cup onions, chopped

Grated Parmesan cheese, to taste

2 garlic cloves, minced


1 cups zucchini, chopped
cup celery, chopped

DIRECTIONS

cup cut fresh green beans

Heat oil in a large soup bowl over medium-high heat. Add garlic and onion

1 cup carrots, chopped

and saut for about 3 minutes. Then add all remaining ingredients, except the

2 (16-ounce) cans of low-sodium, fat-free chicken broth

pasta and cheese. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes.

1 cup water
1 (15 ounce) can stewed tomatoes

Bring the soup back to a boil and add the pasta. Cook for 10 minutes or

1 (16-ounce) can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained

until the pasta is al dente.

1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce


1 teaspoon dried oregano

Serve hot and sprinkle each bowl with about a tablespoon of the

teaspoon salt

Parmesan cheese if desired.

teaspoon black pepper

28

Makes 6 servings.

Zesty Taco Soup


Love the taste of tacos? You can get the same great flavor without all the fattening ingredients (like
cheese, sour cream, guacamole) by making this soup at home. For a little crunch, serve this soup
with a few baked tortilla chips on the side or try a small dollop of fat-free sour cream in the center.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 lb. extra-lean ground beef

In a large soup pot, brown the beef with the onions and jalapeo until beef

1 medium onion, chopped

is fully cooked (no pink remaining). Drain excess grease from the pot. Add

1 jalapeo pepper, minced

in the tomatoes, chilies, beans, corn, taco seasoning, and chicken broth.

2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes

Mix well and simmer for 20 minutes. Add in extra chicken broth if you

1 (4.5 ounce) can green chilies, chopped

prefer a thinner soup. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

2 (15 ounce) cans pinto beans, rinsed and drained


1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

Makes 4 servings

1 (15 ounce) can cream-style corn


1 package hot taco seasoning
1 cup fat-free chicken broth
Salt and pepper, to taste

29

SALAD
Like soups, salads are a great way to fill up your stomach with the
vitamins, minerals, and fiber of vegetables without adding a lot of fat
and calories to your daily budget. Try to choose salads that are high
in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and legumes as these can provide
antioxidants as well as important vitamins and minerals that you cant
get as easily from other food groups. Salads require caution if they are
topped heavily with dressing (especially creamy varieties like Caesar,
Ranch, Thousand Island, and Russian dressings), full-fat cheeses, and
croutons. Instead, aim to use vegetable oil-based dressings (like olive oil
and balsamic vinaigrette) as well as avocadoes and nuts in your salads to
provide more healthful, monounsaturated fats.
The salad recipes weve included for this book are some of our favorites
and definitely cover a wide range. Some, like the Apple Slaw and
Tabbouleh, are best served as a side dish, while others like the Peppered
Steak Salad can act as a whole, light meal on their own. Salad recipes
are also some of the most flexible. If you hate an ingredient, like a
specific fruit or vegetable, you can often just swap it out for one you like
better or eliminate it entirely without ruining the recipe. So, feel free to get
a little creative with our salad recipes to tailor them to your own unique
preferences.

THE RECIPES
APPLE SLAW........................................... 33
ASIAN SEAFOOD SALAD........................... 34
BLACK-EYED PEA SALAD.......................... 35
CAULIFLOWER SALAD.............................. 36
CITRUS SPINACH SALAD.......................... 37
FRUITY CABBAGE SLAW........................... 38
PEPPERED STEAK SALAD......................... 39
QUICK & EASY BLACK BEAN SALAD.......... 40
SALSA-FIED RED BEAN SALAD.................. 41
SUMMER SQUASH &
BROWN RICE SALAD................................ 42
TABBOULEH............................................ 43
TUNA MACARONI SALAD.......................... 44

Apple Slaw
Green and red apples give this side dish/salad its tart taste. They also give it a lot of fiber, vitamin C,
and natural sweetness. Nonfat yogurt adds in a little protein and provides the creaminess to hold it
all together. This salad goes great as a side dish for pork and poultry main courses.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 cup shredded cabbage

In a medium bowl, combine the cabbage, apples, carrots, broccoli slaw,

1 crisp green apple, cored and sliced very thin

and lemon juice and toss well.

1 crisp red apple, cored and sliced very thin


2 medium carrots, grated

In a separate bowl, combine the vinegar, juice, honey, and yogurt. Mix well

cup pre-packaged broccoli slaw

and pour over the vegetables. Toss well and refrigerate for at least 2 hours

1 tablespoon lemon juice

before serving.

1 tablespoon raspberry vinegar


2 tablespoons apple juice

Makes 4 servings.

teaspoon honey
cup nonfat yogurt, plain or apple-flavored
1 ounce dried cranberries

33

Asian Seafood Salad


Often overlooked, crab is actually a great fit for a healthy, active lifestyle. 3 ounces has only about
100 calories but weighs in with 19 grams of protein! Cooked shrimp has similar stats. This salad is
a light, refreshing way to add both shellfish (and the healthful protein and iron they contain) to your
day.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

2 cucumbers

Slice cucumbers very thinly and pat dry. Drain the canned crab.

1 can (6.5 ounces) crab


3 ounces cooked shrimp

In a small skillet, heat the sesame oil over medium heat. Add the sesame

1 teaspoon sesame oil

seeds and toast them, stirring constantly, until they are lightly browned.

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Remove seeds from pan and grind with a mortar and pestle.

3 tablespoons soy sauce


2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and toss well to combine

cup grape tomatoes, halved

thoroughly.

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped


Makes 6 servings.

34

Black-Eyed Pea Salad


If youre not from the southern US, you might not be very familiar with black-eyed peas. Get to know
them though! Like other beans and legumes, theyre high in fiber and protein and low in fat. Theyre
also high in potassium which is critical for keeping your muscles working properly.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

3 cups black-eyed peas, cooked

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Marinate at least 6-8

cup chopped red bell pepper

hours in the refrigerator before serving.

cup chopped yellow bell pepper


cup diced green onion

Makes 8 servings.

2 cloves garlic, crushed


teaspoon dried oregano
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
teaspoon salt
teaspoon black pepper

35

Cauliflower Salad
Love the taste of a classic potato salad, but dont want all the fat and carbs? Subbing out the
potatoes for cauliflower is the answer. This recipe is cheap, easy, and perfect summertime barbecue
fare (although we enjoy it year-round).

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

2 lb bag of frozen cauliflower, thawed and drained

After hard boiling the eggs, peel and slice them in half. Remove the yolks

10 ounces of frozen peas and carrots, thawed and drained

and discard. Chop up the remaining cooked egg whites.

2 ounces dill pickles, shredded


1 cups light mayonnaise

In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, sugar, salt, pepper, paprika, vinegar,

4 eggs, hard-boiled

and mustard. Mix well.

2 teaspoons granulated sugar


1 teaspoon salt

Dry thawed veggies with paper towels. Chop any large cauliflower pieces

teaspoon black pepper

to approximate the size of chopped potatoes.

teaspoon paprika
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Combine all ingredients. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

2 teaspoons yellow mustard


cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery

36

Makes 8 servings.

Citrus Spinach Salad


This tangy salad is both refreshing and nutritious. The citrus fruits are a great source of vitamin
C and also provide potassium and calcium for bone health. Try it out during the colder months
(November April) when citrus fruits are in their peak season.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

2 tablespoons orange juice

In a small bowl, combine the orange juice, olive oil, and vinegar. Mix well.

2 tablespoons olive oil

Add in the prepared oranges, tangerine, and grapefruit and toss to coat

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

well with dressing.

2 navel oranges, peeled, pith & membrane removed


cup canned mandarin oranges, drained of juice

Add baby spinach to a large bowl. Top with fruit mixture and dressing. Toss

1 tangerine, peeled, pith & membrane removed

gently to combine. Sprinkle cranberries and pine nuts over the top. Serve

1 red grapefruit, peeled, pith & membrane removed

immediately.

5 cups fresh baby spinach


cup dried cranberries

Makes 5 servings.

2 tablespoons pine nuts

37

Fruity Cabbage Slaw


Youve never had coleslaw like this before! Weve taken a classic barbecue favorite and lightened it
up by ditching all the fatty mayonnaise and adding in non-fat, fiber-rich fruit instead. If you add in the
optional walnuts, youll also be getting healthful omega-3 fatty acids with your slaw.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 cup shredded cabbage

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and toss gently to coat.

1 medium red apple, chopped

Refrigerate until ready to serve.

cup light Italian dressing


1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon sugar
teaspoon nutmeg
cup golden raisins
1 ripe pear, sliced
cup chopped walnuts (optional)

38

Makes 4 servings.

Peppered Steak Salad


This salad is absolutely packed with flavor and much lower in calories than the typical restaurantstyle steak salad. Its also a great way to re-use any leftover roast beef you have in the fridge. Youll
satisfy your cravings for protein-rich red meat while keeping fat and carbohydrates counts lower at
lunchtime. You can sub in other raw vegetables (like cucumbers, red peppers, or red onion) if you
prefer.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

Salad:

Dressing:

Mix all dressing ingredients well in a large bowl. Add all salad ingredients

8 oz. cooked lean roast beef, cut into

cup olive oil

except the cabbage and bean sprouts. Mix well and refrigerate for 2-3

thin strips

red wine vinegar

hours to allow dressing to soak. Add cabbage and bean sprouts and toss

1 cup grape tomatoes, cut in half

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

the salad just before serving.

1 cup sliced raw white mushrooms,

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 green bell pepper, sliced into strips

2 garlic cloves, crushed

cup chopped celery

teaspoon ginger

2 cups shredded cabbage

teaspoon black pepper

Makes 1 serving.

cup bean sprouts

39

Quick & Easy Black Bean Salad


Side dishes dont get much easier to make than this one. Our black bean salad is a quick fix and is
full of fiber so its sure to fill you up. Want to add some extra flavor? Kick up the heat by using your
favorite hot and spicy salsa. Still not hot enough? Slip in some minced jalapeo pepper, but be sure
to taste test as you go.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 (16oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained

Combine all ingredients. Enjoy at room temperature and refrigerate

1 (8oz) can whole kernel corn, drained

leftovers.

cup red onion, chopped


cup salsa, chunky variety
2 tablespoons lemon juice
cup celery, chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 small garlic cloves, minced
teaspoon salt

40

Makes 8 servings.

Salsa-fied Red Bean Salad


This bean salad is the perfect choice for filling you up (and not weighing you down). Its incredibly
simple to make as well. Its best when served cold, so mix some up the day before you need it. Its
also perfect as a side dish for a summertime barbecue.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 (15.5 ounce) can red beans, rinsed and drained

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and refrigerate for at least 1

cup chopped scallions

hour before serving.

cup chopped red onion


cup black olives, chopped

Makes 6 servings.

2 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped


1-2 jalapeo peppers, seeded and chopped
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

41

Summer Squash &


Brown Rice Salad
Brown rice is definitely a top choice for getting long-term energy in the form of complex
carbohydrates. Low in fat, cholesterol, and sodium, brown rice is definitely one of our top choice
sides at dinnertime. This salad is the perfect way to add new flavors and use up any leftover brown
rice in your fridge. Best served cold, this dish comes together super fast.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 cup cold, cooked brown rice

Combine all ingredients except dressing and mix well. Refrigerate until

cup diced zucchini

ready to use. Top with dressing and toss just prior to serving.

cup diced yellow summer squash


cup chopped red onion
1 teaspoon chopped fresh basil
teaspoon salt
cup low-fat zesty Italian dressing

42

Makes 4 servings.

Tabbouleh
Tabbouleh is a traditional Middle Eastern salad that is packed with parsley and bulgur. Bulgur is a
grain that has more fiber, protein, and most vitamins and minerals than white rice. Its also a great
source of whole grains and complex carbohydrates for a balanced diet. You can serve it warm, but
its traditionally served chilled.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 cup water

In a small saucepan, combine water and bulgur and bring to a boil. Cover

cup bulgur

and remove the pot from the heat. Allow it to stand until the water has

cup lemon juice

been absorbed completely, about 25 minutes. Drain any extra water at this

2 tablespoons olive oil

point. Cool cooked bulgur and transfer to a large bowl.

1 clove garlic, minced


1 tablespoon lemon zest

To make the dressing, combine lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, zest, salt,

teaspoon salt

pepper, and allspice in a small bowl. Mix well.

teaspoon black pepper


teaspoon ground allspice

To the bulgur, add the parsley, mint, tomatoes and cucumbers. Pour on the

2 cups finely chopped parsley

dressing and toss well to coat. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour

3 tomatoes, seeded and diced

before serving.

1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced


Makes 8 servings.

43

Tuna Macaroni Salad


This cold pasta salad is your one-stop shop for protein and carbs. We recommend using whole
wheat pasta to add more fiber and whole grains to the meal. Fiber helps you to feel fuller and
reduces your chance of overeating later on. Finally, use fresh basil if it is available and add it just
before serving.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

8 ounces of uncooked, whole-wheat pasta (any bite-sized shape)

Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and cool.

10 ounces of frozen peas


13 ounces canned tuna, packed in water, drained

Cook the frozen peas in the microwave according to package directions.

cup onion, minced

Drain any excess water and cool.

1 tablespoon fat-free mayonnaise


1 cup plain, nonfat yogurt

Combine all remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Add in the pasta and

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

peas and mix well. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

2 cloves garlic, crushed


teaspoon black pepper
teaspoon salt
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
teaspoon dried basil (or 1 teaspoon fresh basil)

44

Makes 8 servings.

POULTRY
If youre like most guys who are trying to build muscle, youre probably
a little too familiar with plain, grilled chicken breast by now. Dont let
boredom get you off track, though! Chicken and turkey are some of the
best sources of lean protein that your body will use to build and repair
muscle. Theyre also some of the most cost-effective sources of animal
protein which helps to keep them at the top of our easy dinner list. The
same old plain, grilled breast can get tedious though. Using low calorie,
low carb herbs and spices along with vegetables can totally reinvent
the plain chicken breast. Even better, baking, poaching and stir-frying
chicken are all new preparation methods to add to your grilling routine.
When it comes to chicken, boneless, skinless breasts are the most
popular base for our recipes. To save money, you can buy them in bulk
and freeze some for later in the week to use in a different recipe. For
turkey, we use ground turkey breast most often. Turkey is already a lean
meat, but you can find extra-lean varieties in the grocery store that are
up to 99% fat-free. Keep in mind that these will be drier, so you might
want extra sauce or wet ingredients when using extra-lean turkey in our
Turkey Loaf and Turkey Meatballs.

THE RECIPES
BAKED LEMON-VEGETABLE CHICKEN......... 48
CHILI POWDER CHICKEN.......................... 49
GRILLED JERK CHICKEN........................... 50
LIME CHICKEN BREAST............................ 51
MUSHROOM CHICKEN QUESADILLA.......... 52
ORANGE CHICKEN................................... 53
PRETZEL-CRUSTED CHICKEN NUGGETS
WITH HONEY-MUSTARD DIPPING SAUCE.... 54
SPICY GRILLED GARLIC CHICKEN.............. 55
TANDOORI CHICKEN................................. 56
TURKEY BEAN BURRITOS......................... 57
TURKEY LOAF.......................................... 58
TURKEY MEATBALLS................................ 59

Baked Lemon-Vegetable Chicken


Baking or roasting your poultry is a great way to avoid the extra fat and oil that accompany other
preparations (e.g., sauting, frying, braising). The lemon and basil in this dish help ensure youre
getting plenty of flavor even without any of the extra oil or butter of other preparation styles.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Preheat oven to 350F.

2 teaspoons dried basil


cup lemon juice

Place chicken in a large casserole dish sprayed with nonstick cooking

cup chopped onion

spray. Sprinkle with the basil and the lemon juice. Add chopped onions

1 large zucchini, halved and then chopped into 8 pieces

over top and arrange the chopped zucchini and carrots on top of the

2 carrots, halved and then chopped into 8 pieces each

chicken. Pour artichoke hearts over the top of the chicken and vegetables.

1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts


Cover dish and bake in the oven for 1 hour or until the chicken is cooked
through and the carrots are tender.
Makes 6 servings.

48

Chili Powder Chicken


Forget the sugary bbq sauce! Our chili powder grilled chicken has all the flavor without all the extra
sugar, fat, and carbohydrates of the traditional barbecued chicken breast. Serve it with grilled
zucchini, corn on the cob, and a baked potato for a satisfying and balanced summer meal that will
help you maintain and improve on your gains.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 ounces each)

Combine oil, chili powder, paprika, cumin, pepper, and salt in a large,

4 tablespoons olive oil

re-sealable plastic bag. Mix well. Add the chicken breasts to bag, seal,

2 teaspoons chili powder

and shake to coat chicken with marinade. Refrigerate overnight to seal in

2 teaspoons paprika

flavors.

1 teaspoon ground cumin


1 teaspoon black pepper

Add chicken breasts to grill. Cook until the juices run clear, about 10-12

teaspoon salt

minutes per side.


Makes 4 servings.

49

Grilled Jerk Chicken


The Jamaican jerk seasoning in this recipe adds Caribbean flavors to a favorite protein. To make
this recipe extra simple, we purchase pre-made jerk seasoning at the grocery store, but you can
definitely substitute your own spice rub recipe instead, if you prefer. For an easy dinner, grill up some
asparagus alongside the chicken and serve together.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

cup chili chutney

Rub chicken breasts with jerk seasoning. In a separate bowl combine the

1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

chutney and hot pepper sauce.

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts


2 tablespoons Jamaican jerk seasoning

Grill chicken on medium high heat, about 6 minutes per side (for 6-ounce
breasts). Brush chicken with chutney mix every few minutes during the
cooking process. Allow chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving.
Makes 4 servings.

50

Lime Chicken Breast


Even if youre not currently enjoying the hot and sunny days of summer, this dish can still add some
tropical flavor to your dinner. Its a great choice for having leftovers - you can eat this hot or cold. Try
slicing up leftovers for a sandwich at lunchtime the next day. 1 serving (1/4 of the recipe) has just 180
calories and 7 grams of fat.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Preheat your oven to 325F.

2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon olive oil

Place the chicken breasts and bay leaves into a medium-sized baking

1 tablespoon white vinegar

dish. Mix oil, vinegar, and lime juice together and pour over the chicken.

1 tablespoon lime juice

Add the thyme, coriander, and black pepper over the top of that and bake

1 teaspoon thyme

in the oven for 45 minutes.

teaspoon ground coriander


Black pepper to taste

Place the lime slices over the top of the chicken and return the dish to the

2 limes, cut into slices

oven for another 10 minutes.


Makes 4 servings.

51

Mushroom Chicken Quesadilla


Quesadillas are typically diet-disasters: overloaded with fatty cheese, wrapped in a huge flour
tortilla, and fried in oil. They are a tasty favorite, however, so weve trimmed down the fat, calories
and carbohydrates with our version, using re-vamped ingredients and heating it in a sandwich press
rather than frying it in oil. Prepare your chicken breast the lean way by poaching it in boiling water
until cooked through, cooling it, and then shredding it with a fork.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

6 ounces sliced mushrooms

In a small skillet sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, saut mushrooms,

1 clove garlic, minced

garlic, and onion over medium high heat until the mushrooms are tender

4 ounces cooked, shredded chicken breast

(about 7 minutes). Remove from heat and drain the excess liquid that the

cup onion, chopped

mushrooms have released.

1 roasted red pepper packed in water, drained and sliced thinly


cup fat-free cheddar cheese, shredded

Heat sandwich press to high heat. Spray with nonstick cooking spray.

2 high-fiber, whole-wheat tortillas (12 diameter)


Salsa and sliced avocado (for serving)

Divide mushroom mixture between the two tortillas. Layer on chicken,


pepper, and cheese evenly between the two and fold over the tortillas.
Place side-by-side on the sandwich press and close top.
Heat about 5-7 minutes or until the quesadilla is heated through and the
cheese is melted. Enjoy hot with salsa and slices of avocado.
Makes 2 servings.

52

Orange Chicken
We turned our favorite Chinese take-out dish into a leaner, lighter, cook-at-home meal. By ditching
the deep-fryer and swapping out the super sugary sauce, we kept the orange taste with less
saturated fat and fewer calories.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

2 lbs chicken (thighs, breasts, legs, wings)

Preheat the oven to 375F.

1 cup orange juice


cup white wine

Place the chicken on a shallow baking pan and cover with the orange juice

teaspoon dried basil

and white wine. Sprinkle basil, parsley, salt, and pepper over the chicken.

teaspoon dried parsley


teaspoon salt

Bake the chicken in the oven for 35 minutes.

teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil

While the chicken is baking, prepare the sauce. In a skillet over medium-

1 large onion, diced

high heat, heat the oil. Add in the onions and tomatoes and saut until the

1 large tomato, diced

onions are translucent.


Spoon the onions and tomatoes over the chicken and bake for an
additional 10 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked.
Makes 6 servings.

53

Pretzel-Crusted Chicken Nuggets


with Honey-Mustard Dipping Sauce
Traditional chicken nuggets are usually dipped in batter and fried. By baking our nuggets in the
oven, we cut out lots of unneeded saturated fat and calories. With just five ingredients, our chicken
nuggets are really easy to make and the pretzel topping adds a tasty spin on a fast-food classic
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

Sauce:

Preheat oven to 375F.

cup Dijon mustard


2 tablespoons honey

Mix all sauce ingredients in a small bowl and blend together well. Divide

2 tablespoons apple juice

sauce into two small dishes. Place one in the refrigerator to be used for

Chicken Nuggets:

dipping sauce later.

lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes


cup crushed pretzels

Dip each chicken cube into remaining mustard sauce, then coat with
crushed pretzels. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake the tray of nuggets in the oven for 10-12 minutes. Serve with the
extra sauce.
Makes 3 servings.

54

Spicy Grilled Garlic Chicken


This is the perfect recipe for anyone whos getting tired of the same-old grilled chicken day after day.
This spicy marinade definitely adds a punch to a classic lean protein without adding excess fat. Try
serving it with some grilled corn on the cob and a cold salad. You can kick up the heat even more by
keeping some of the seeds from the jalapeos.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 chicken, approximately 3lbs., cut up and skin removed

Combine all ingredients except chicken in a small bowl and mix well to

1 cup chicken broth

make marinade.

2 tablespoons olive oil


1 teaspoons dried parsley flakes

Place chicken in a large plastic bag. Add marinade, seal bag, and

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

massage marinade into chicken. Marinate at least 30 minutes or overnight

1 teaspoon salt

in the refrigerator. Turn chicken several times while marinating.

8 garlic cloves, crushed


1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

When ready to cook, remove chicken from marinade. Reserve marinade

1-2 jalapeo peppers, seeded and chopped finely

for later. Place chicken pieces on a lightly oiled grill rack and grill on
medium high heat. Grill until chicken is cooked through and the juices run
clear. Brush both sides with remaining marinade at least twice during the
cooking.
Makes 6 servings.

55

Tandoori Chicken
Weve lightened up this classic Indian preparation for chicken breast. Slashing the meat before
applying the spices helps it to absorb as much of the spice blend as possible prior to cooking. Also,
make sure to allow the chicken to marinate for a full 24 hours before cooking. If you love spice, feel
free to kick up the heat even more with extra chili powder and crushed red pepper in your marinade.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

4 chicken breasts, skin removed (approximately 6 ounces each)

In a small bowl, mix together the chili powder and lemon juice.

1 teaspoons chili powder


3 tablespoons lemon juice

Place chicken in a large casserole dish. With a knife, slash each chicken

1 cup plain, fat-free yogurt

breast a few times. Brush lemon juice mixture over the chicken and let

1 medium onion, finely chopped

stand for 30 minutes.

4 cloves garlic, minced


1 tablespoon paprika

In a medium bowl, combine all the remaining ingredients. Stir well to

2 teaspoons ground cumin

incorporate. Pour mixture over the chicken breasts. Cover the casserole

1 teaspoon ground coriander

dish and place in the refrigerator for about 24 hours.

1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garam masala

Bake the chicken at 450F for 40 minutes.

1 teaspoon ground ginger


1 teaspoon turmeric
teaspoon crushed red pepper

56

Makes 4 servings.

Turkey Bean Burritos


Burritos at most take-out chains are enormous huge carb-heavy flour tortillas full of rice, beans,
greasy beef, cheese, and sour cream. Theyre not exactly a lean choice. So weve lightened up this
classic take-out favorite by using ground turkey breast, fat-free cheese, and replacing the sour
cream with a spicy flavor.
INGREDIENTS
1 lb. ground turkey breast

pink (about 10 minutes).

1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced

Add the beans, tomato sauce, salsa, and chili powder. Cover and reduce

1 (15 oz) can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained

heat to low. Cook for 10 minutes more, stirring occasionally.

8 oz tomato sauce
cup salsa

Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.

1 teaspoons chili powder


1 cup fat-free cheddar cheese, shredded

Spoon a cup of turkey mixture onto each tortilla and then sprinkle with 1

1 cup reduced-fat cheddar cheese

tablespoon of each cheese. Roll up tortilla and place, seam side down, on

10 (8) flour tortillas

the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.

DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 375F.
In a saucepan sprayed with cooking spray over medium heat, cook the
turkey, onions, and garlic, stirring frequently, until the turkey is no longer

Bake in the oven for 12 to 14 minutes. Leftovers can be refrigerated and


re-heated later in the microwave.
Makes 5 servings.

57

Turkey Loaf
Miss the taste, but not the fat of meatloaf? We make ours with lean, ground turkey. This recipe
requires very little preparation time and is much lower in fat and calories than the average meatloaf
dish. 1/6th of the recipe has about 220 calories and 6 grams of fat. Keep the fat count low by serving
it with a baked, not mashed, potato.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 lbs. extra-lean ground turkey

Preheat your oven to 350F.

cup dry, seasoned bread crumbs


1 tablespoon soy sauce

Lightly beat the egg with a fork. Then combine all ingredients in a bowl

cup chicken stock

and mix thoroughly. Put the mixture in loaf pan and bake, uncovered, in

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

the oven for about 1 hour. Let it cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon parsley
1 egg
Salt and black pepper

58

Makes 6 servings.

Turkey Meatballs
Few foods are as universally satisfying as a big, warm bowl of spaghetti and meatballs. The typical
recipe is usually a diet-disaster though- packed with way more fat and carbs than you really need
in one meal. Instead of limiting yourself to just 2 meatballs, try our turkey meatballs over cooked
spaghetti squash. Weve kept the same great flavors of traditional meatballs but swapped in a
leaner, high-protein meat with ground turkey instead of ground beef.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

lb. ground turkey

In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients except tomato sauce and mix

cup onion, finely chopped

very well with hands. Shape into 1-inch balls.

cup panko (or dry bread crumbs)


cup shredded carrot

In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine meatballs and sauce.

1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

Cover pan and cook for 10-15 minutes (meatballs should no longer be

2 tablespoons fat-free milk

pink in the center).

teaspoon salt
teaspoon black pepper

Serve over whole wheat spaghetti or spaghetti squash.

2 garlic cloves, crushed


3 cups of prepared tomato sauce

Makes 6 servings.

59

BEEF
Nothing says protein like red meat! The protein in beef helps to build,
maintain, and repair your bodys tissues. Beef is also a great source
of iron, the mineral that is necessary to help your bodys red blood
cells to carry oxygen throughout your body. However, many people
have eliminated beef and other red meats from their diets, citing health
concerns. While some cuts of beef are high in cholesterol and saturated
fat, choosing the leanest cuts can help you get the protein, iron, and
taste you want, without sacrificing your workout gains. Top sirloin steak,
top round roast, sirloin tip side steak, and bottom round roast are among
some of the extra-lean cuts of beef. You can also find lean and extra-lean
ground beef at your local grocery store.
Weve chosen from among the leaner cuts of beef to base our recipes
around. Most of these recipes also remind you to trim any excess surface
fat that is easily removable before cooking the beef. Dont worry though.
Our beef recipes, like the Beef Lettuce Wraps and the Cuban Braised
Beef, are so well-seasoned that you wont need the flavor of the extra fat!

THE RECIPES
BEEF & VEGETABLE STEW........................ 63
BEEF LETTUCE WRAPS............................. 64
BEEF SIRLOIN ROAST............................... 65
CHINESE-STYLE BEEF WITH BROCCOLI....... 66
CUBAN BRAISED BEEF............................. 67
FORCE FACTOR BURGER......................... 68
PHILLY STEAK WRAP............................... 69
SEASONED FLANK STEAK......................... 70
SPICY BEEF TACOS.................................. 71
WHISKEY-MUSHROOM STEAK................... 72

Beef & Vegetable Stew


Using lean top round beef in this stew keeps the fat content lower than traditional beef stews. This
stew is also loaded with vegetables that will fill you up without filling you out. Feel free to add in
more of your favorite winter vegetables (like butternut squash, turnips, or celery root) for a thicker
and even heartier stew. If you have leftovers, freeze them in plastic containers and reheat later on in
the microwave.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 lb. lean beef round, trimmed of fat and cut into cubes

Preheat the oven to 325F.

1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped


3 carrots, cut into chunks

Spray a large Dutch oven lightly with cooking spray and place over

2 stalks celery, chopped

medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.

1 cup frozen pearl onions

Add in the green pepper, carrots, celery, onions, and parsnip and cook

1 parsnip, peeled and cut into chunks

for about 5 minutes longer. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking. Add

1 cups beef broth

in the beef broth, tomatoes, rosemary, and thyme. Season with salt and

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes

pepper to taste.

1 teaspoon rosemary, minced


1 teaspoon thyme, minced

Cover the pot and place it in the oven for 1 hours. Stir in the frozen peas

6 ounces frozen peas

and then return to the oven for 15 minutes more. Serve hot.
Makes 4 servings.

63

Beef Lettuce Wraps


Cutting back on carbs? This recipe requires no bread or bun. Instead, this tasty, Asian-inspired beef
is loaded onto large lettuce leaves as a refreshing and low-calorie serving tool. If you like spicy food,
kick up the heat even more by adding in more chile pepper sauce to your cooking.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 onion, chopped

In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, garlic, vinegar, soy sauce, chile

1 lb. extra-lean ground beef

sauce, brown sugar, and ground ginger well. Set aside.

5 cloves garlic, minced


1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar

In a large skillet sprayed with nonstick spray, cook the onion for 3 minutes.

1 tablespoon soy sauce

Add the beef mixture to the skillet and cook about 4 minutes, or until the

1 tablespoon chile pepper sauce

beef is cooked through. Add the sesame oil and mix well. Remove from

2 teaspoons brown sugar

heat.

1 teaspoon ground ginger


1 teaspoon dark sesame oil

Place about cup of the beef mixture in the center of each lettuce leaf.

8 large lettuce leaves

Top with sliced red pepper and wrap.

1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced


Makes 4 servings.

64

Beef Sirloin Roast


This is a great meal to make when youre trying to impress company and eat healthfully at the same
time. Plus, with very few ingredients, its quick and easy to prepare. Try serving it with some roasted
vegetables (like asparagus or Brussels sprouts) and a simple side salad.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

2 lbs. lean sirloin beef, trimmed of visible fat

Preheat the oven to 400F.

2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper

Season beef on all sides with the salt and pepper.

5 cloves garlic, minced


3 teaspoons dried rosemary

In a small bowl, combine the garlic, rosemary, and oregano. Mix well and

2 teaspoons dried oregano

rub mixture all over the top of the beef. Press the herbs into the meat so
they stick well. Transfer beef to a roasting pan that has been sprayed with
nonstick cooking spray.
For medium doneness, cook the meat in the oven for about 30 minutes.
Remove from oven and let stand for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Makes 8 servings.

65

Chinese-Style Beef with Broccoli


Our version of this take-out favorite eliminates some excess fat and calories by using leaner cuts
of beef and re-working the typically sugary sauce. This recipe also works great for wrapping up in
lettuce leaves as a low-carb alternative to traditional white rice.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

lb. lean sirloin beef, trimmed of all visible fat, sliced thinly

In a small bowl, coat the strips of beef with 2 tablespoons of the cornstarch.

2 tablespoons cornstarch, divided


2 teaspoons vegetable oil

In a separate small bowl, combine the remaining tablespoon cornstarch

1 cup fat-free chicken broth

with cup of the chicken broth and the soy sauce. Mix well and set aside.

5 cups broccoli, cut into bite-size pieces


cup sliced mushrooms

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and stir-fry

2 cloves garlic, minced

for about 4 minutes. The beef should be lightly browned. Move beef to a

teaspoon red pepper flakes

small bowl, leaving the oil in the pan.

cup soy sauce


cup water

Add cup of the broth to the pan. Add in the broccoli and mushrooms and
cover the skillet for about 3 minutes. Uncover and add in the garlic and red
pepper flakes. Stir-fry for about 2 minutes longer.
Stir in the soy sauce mixture to the broccoli and stir-fry for 2 minutes longer.
Return beef to skillet and toss with sauce and vegetables. Serve hot.
Makes 4 servings.

66

Cuban Braised Beef


Cooking this beef on low heat for a long time results in very tender and juicy meat. However, since
flank steak is a lean cut and you trim it further of visible fat, this dish is a great way to get lean
protein from red meat without adding a lot of saturated fats. Serve it as is or wrap up a cup
serving in a whole-wheat tortilla.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

2 lbs. flank steak, trimmed of fat

Coat a large Dutch oven with nonstick cooking spray and heat on medium-high.

3 cups red onion, thinly sliced

Cook steaks until browned (about 2-3 minutes per side). Remove steaks from pan

2 red bell peppers, chopped

and set aside.

2 green bell peppers, chopped


1 yellow bell pepper, chopped

Add onions, bell peppers, and garlic to pan and cook until tender, about 8 minutes.

4 cloves garlic, minced

Add in cumin, oregano, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Stir well and cook 1 minute.

1 teaspoon ground cumin


1 teaspoon dried oregano

Add vinegar, stir well and cook until almost all the liquid has evaporated (about 2

1 teaspoon chopped rosemary

minutes). Then, stir in the beef broth and tomato paste and return the steaks to the

cup white wine vinegar

pot. Cover, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook 1 hours. The steaks should

3 cups fat-free beef broth

be very tender.

2 tablespoons tomato paste


Salt and pepper, to taste

Remove the steaks from the pot and shred using two forks. Return shredded beef

Cilantro, if desired

to the pot and mix well with the vegetables. Sprinkle in cilantro if desired. Serve hot.
Makes 8 servings.

67

Force Factor Burger


There are some foods we just cant give up hamburgers are one of them. Weve improved upon the
standard burger though. The Force Factor burger is lower in fat and calories and still packed with
protein and a kick of spicy flavor.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 lb. extra-lean (93-97%) ground beef

In a bowl, combine the first 7 ingredients. Do not overmix (to avoid dry

2 tablespoons onion, finely chopped

burgers). Shape mixture into 4 patties, approximately 1 thick each.

2 cloves garlic, minced


1 to 2 teaspoons finely chopped jalapeo peppers (seeded)

Spray a heated griddle, outdoor grill, or portable grilling machine with

teaspoon salt

cooking spray. Place burgers on grill and cook approximately 5 minutes on

teaspoon pepper

each side.

teaspoon ground cumin


1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Place on hamburger buns and layer with lettuce, red onion, pickles,

On top: Lettuce, sliced red onions, sandwich-sliced dill pickles, tomato

tomato, and ketchup. Sprinkle with extra chopped jalapeo peppers if

slices, ketchup, sliced banana peppers, extra jalapenos

desired.

4 reduced-calorie or low-carbohydrate hamburger buns


Makes 4 servings.

68

Philly Steak Wrap


Weve re-made another classic dish (the Philly Cheese Steak) with this Philly steak wrap. By using
a whole wheat tortilla, youre getting extra whole grains in your diet and removing extra, unwanted
carbs from the large bun or roll typically used in these sandwiches. Using lean roast beef also helps
to keep the fat content down, while still giving you the protein and red meat taste you crave!
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

cup green bell pepper, thinly sliced

In a small skillet sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, saut the green

cup onion, chopped

pepper, onion, and garlic for 5 minutes. Add in the shaved roast beef and

1 clove garlic, minced

saut for an additional 3 minutes. Place half of the mixture atop each

6 ounces lean roast beef, shaved

tortilla. Sprinkle half of the cheddar cheese and optional hot sauce over

2 medium whole-wheat tortillas

each.

cup cheddar cheese, shredded


teaspoon hot sauce, optional

Re-spray the skillet and place over low heat. Add 1 tortilla and heat until
the cheese begins to melt, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and wrap
up tortilla. Repeat with the second tortilla.
Makes 2 servings.

69

Seasoned Flank Steak


Beef can definitely be part of a healthy diet! While some cuts can be high in saturated fat, this recipe
calls for one of the leanest cuts, the flank. Flank steaks are flavorful and high in iron and protein but
can get tough if overcooked. We recommend cooking just until medium-rare for best results.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 lbs. flank steak, trimmed of visible fat

Preheat oven to 350F.

1 tablespoon olive oil


1 cup hot water

Over medium-high heat, sear the steak in oil, flipping once. Remove steak

2 cloves garlic, minced

from pan and place in a medium casserole dish.

1 teaspoon salt
1 bay leaf

Pour the water into the hot skillet once the steak has been removed

teaspoon black pepper

and stir to release leftover flavor. Pour over the meat. Add the remaining

2 carrots, diced

ingredients to the casserole dish and mix to distribute flavors.

1 red bell pepper, diced


2 teaspoons lemon juice

Place casserole dish (uncovered) in the oven for 30 minutes for medium
steak. Cook 5 minutes longer if you prefer your steak more well-done.
Makes 4 servings.

70

Spicy Beef Tacos


If you consider the calories, fat, and money you save by making these tacos yourself, youll never go
back to that Mexican fast-food joint again. Adjust the amount of chili powder, habaero pepper, and
the heat of the salsa to change the spiciness of the recipe to best fit your tastes.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

2 tablespoons Mexican chili powder

In a skillet over medium heat, toast the chili powder and cumin together for

teaspoon ground cumin

1 minute before adding the oil and onion. Cook the onion and pepper for

2 teaspoons olive oil

about 3 minutes. Then add garlic and stir fry for an additional 3 minutes.

1 onion, chopped

Add in the ground beef and stir well with a wooden spoon, breaking up

1 small habaero pepper, seeded and minced

beef, until meat is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add in the tomato

2 cloves garlic, minced

sauce and kidney beans and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

lb. lean (93-95%) ground beef


1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce

Wrap cup of the beef mixture with lettuce and a tablespoon of salsa in

1 (8 ounce) can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained

each corn tortilla.

8 small corn tortillas


cup lettuce, shredded

Makes 4 servings.

cup chunky salsa or diced tomatoes


4 small corn tortillas

71

Whiskey-Mushroom Steak
Craving a flavorful steak? This one is a great choice and requires no sugary steak sauce. The
mushrooms soak up the flavors of the garlic, butter, and whiskey while also providing fiber that will
keep you feeling full, long after the steak has disappeared.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

2 New York strip steaks, approx 4 oz. each, trimmed of visible fat

Preheat broiler.

1 tablespoon light butter


3 cloves garlic, minced

Spray a broiler pan with nonstick cooking spray. Add steaks to broiler pan

5 ounces mushrooms (shiitake, or mixed variety)

and broil about 10 minutes on each side. The steaks should be slightly

teaspoon dried thyme

pink on the inside. Remove from pan and keep warm.

teaspoon dried rosemary


cup whiskey

Heat the butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic,
mushrooms, and spices. Saut for 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Allow to
cool for 1 minute, stirring constantly, before carefully adding the whiskey to
the sauce. Stir well for another minute. Pour sauce over steaks and serve.
Makes 2 servings.

72

PORK
Like beef, the cut of pork you choose will have a big impact on its
nutritional stats. Flavorful preparations like bacon, ham, and pancetta
can rank high in fat and sodium. However, when trimmed of excess
surface fat, pork typically contains more unsaturated than saturated
fats. In fact, on a per ounce basis, pork tenderloin can have less fat than
chicken breast! Lean pork is a good source of protein as well as vitamins
and minerals including iron, zinc, B vitamins, and selenium.
As with our beef recipes, weve chosen cuts of meat that are among the
leanest for our pork recipes. These include pork tenderloin as well as
pork chops (both bone-in and boneless). A variety of seasonings and
accompaniments make every one of our pork recipes distinct though.
Pork is a great protein to season with a wide variety of flavors, from
the sweet of our Apple Spiced Pork Tenderloin to the savory of our
herb-infused Pork Chops with Zucchini, to the spicy of our Cajun Pork
Tenderloin.

THE RECIPES
APPLE-SPICED PORK TENDERLOIN............ 76
CAJUN PORK TENDERLOIN....................... 77
PORK CHOPS WITH ZUCCHINI................... 78
PORK & TURKEY BURGER......................... 79
ROASTED PORK CHOPS
WITH TOMATOES..................................... 80
SLOW COOKER PORK CHILI....................... 81
STIR-FRY PORK & VEGETABLES................. 82

Apple-Spiced Pork Tenderloin


Pork tenderloin is one of the leanest cuts of pork and you can make it even leaner by trimming it of
visible fat prior to cooking. However, because it is so lean, it can be easily dry out so be careful not
to overcook the pork medallions in this recipe. The apple mixture also helps return moisture and
flavor to this dish.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 lb. pork tenderloin, trimmed of visible fat and cut into 12 even medallions

In a small bowl, combine teaspoon of the salt with the coriander, black

teaspoon salt, divided

pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Apply spice mixture to both sides of each

teaspoon ground coriander

pork medallion.

teaspoon black pepper


teaspoon ground cinnamon

Heat a large skillet sprayed with nonstick spray over medium-high heat.

teaspoon ground nutmeg

Add spiced pork to the pan and heat about 3 minutes per side (or until

2 tablespoons reduced-fat, whipped butter

pork is fully cooked through). Remove pork from pan and set aside.

2 medium Braeburn apples, cored and thinly sliced


cup finely chopped onions

Reduce heat to medium and add butter to the pan. When the butter has

cup apple cider

melted, add the apple slices, onions, and the remaining teaspoon salt.
Saut until the apple slices begin to brown (about 5 minutes). Add the
cider to the skillet and cook about 2 minutes longer.
Remove from heat and pour apples over pork and serve.

76

Makes 4 servings.

Cajun Pork Tenderloin


Pork may not be the first meat to come to mind when you think about protein, but pork is definitely
a high protein meat. In fact, 4 ounces of this tenderloin has about the same amount of protein as a 4
ounce beef hamburger patty.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

2 teaspoons lemon juice

Preheat broiler.

1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon onion powder

In a small bowl, mix the paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin,

1 teaspoon garlic powder

sage, and all three types of pepper. Rub the lemon juice all over the pork

1 teaspoon ground cumin

tenderloin. Pat the spice mixture all over the tenderloin to make an even

1 teaspoon ground sage

coating.

teaspoon cayenne pepper


teaspoon black pepper

Line a broiler pan with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.

teaspoon white pepper

Add the seasoned tenderloin and broil about 6 inches away from the heat

1 lb pork tenderloin, trimmed of fat

source. Turn meat over once during cooking. Broil for about 15 minutes.
Transfer meat to a cutting board and let stand for 5 minutes before slicing
and serving.
Makes 4 servings.

77

Pork Chops with Zucchini


Using tomato or pasta sauce along with oregano gives these pork chops an Italian flavor. Make
sure you have trimmed them well in order to keep the amount of saturated fat to a minimum. If you
are looking for extra carbs in your meal, serve each chop with sauce over a cup of whole wheat
spaghetti.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 tablespoon olive oil

Season both sides of each pork chop with the oregano and salt.

4 (4 ounce) boneless pork chops, trimmed of fat


teaspoon dried oregano

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the pork chops

teaspoon salt

and cook for about 7 minutes or until well browned on both sides.

1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced

Add the onion, garlic, and zucchini to the pan and cook for another 6

2 cups sliced zucchini

minutes.

1 cups chunky tomato sauce


Add in the tomato sauce and reduce heat to simmer. Cook for an
additional 8 minutes or until the chops are just cooked through. Serve hot.
Makes 4 servings.

78

Pork & Turkey Burger


This white-meat burger is packed with protein without pretending to be a hamburger. Serve it with
the avocado slices. They contain healthier, monounsaturated fats as well as a gram of protein in
every ounce. Plus, they add a creaminess that makes mayonnaise totally unnecessary.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

6 ounces lean ground pork

In a large bowl, combine the pork, turkey, mashed black beans, onion

6 ounces lean ground turkey

powder, garlic, oregano, rosemary, and salt. Mix until well combined.

cup canned black beans, rinsed, drained, and mashed with a fork

Shape into 4 patties.

1 teaspoon onion powder


3 cloves garlic, minced

Grill patties until they are well-done, approximately 4 minutes per side.

1 teaspoon dried oregano


teaspoon dried rosemary

Place each patty on a toasted bun and top with avocado slices, tomato,

teaspoon salt

lettuce, and red onion.

4 low-calorie or low-carb hamburger buns, toasted


avocado, sliced thinly

Makes 4 servings.

1 tomato, sliced thinly


4 large Iceberg lettuce leaves
1 red onion, sliced thinly

79

Roasted Pork Chops


with Tomatoes
The leanest cuts of pork are typically tenderloin, top loin roasts, and chops. This recipe calls for the
chops, which typically have about 2 grams of fat per ounce. Pork is high in protein and iron like beef,
but is usually the less expensive option of the two. Serve these roasted chops with green beans and
roasted sweet potatoes for a balanced family-style meal.
INGREDIENTS
4 boneless pork chops (approx. 4-6 ounces each), trimmed of fat

Trim pork chops of visible fat. Sprinkle both sides with seasonings and

tablespoon garlic powder

place in a roasting pan sprayed with non-fat cooking spray.

3 tablespoons dried basil


1 tablespoon dried parsley

Separate the juice from the canned tomatoes and pour over the pork in

teaspoon salt

the roasting pan.

1 teaspoon black pepper


1 (16 ounce) can tomatoes

Bake the pork chops in the oven for 30 minutes.

cup grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375F.
Combine all seasonings (garlic powder, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper) in
a small bowl and mix well.

80

Add the tomatoes and cheese over the top of the chops and bake for an
additional 30 minutes.
Makes 4 servings.

Slow Cooker Pork Chili


If you have a slow cooker, this recipe is both an incredibly simple and very tasty dinner. Cubed
pork tenderloin is a leaner alternative to the ground beef used in most traditional chili recipes.
The chipotle chile gives it all a smoky flavor. If you can take the heat, feel free to add in an extra
tablespoon.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 onion, chopped

Spray the inside of a slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Add in all

3 jalapeo peppers, seeded and diced

ingredients except the bell peppers. Cover and cook on low for 7 hours

1 lb. pork tenderloin, trimmed of visible fat and cubed

until pork is tender. Add in the bell peppers and cook for an additional 30

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

minutes.

1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained


1 (15 ounce) can crushed tomatoes

Makes 6 servings.

1 tablespoon chopped canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce


1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped

81

Stir-Fry Pork & Vegetables


This simple stir-fry is perfect for a quick, weeknight dinner. The vegetables and apple provide a
nutritious source of carbohydrates with fiber to keep you feeling fuller, longer. Serve the stir-fry over
cup of cooked brown rice to add whole grains and more complex carbohydrates to your meal.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

2 lbs. boneless pork top loin or roast

Trim pork of as much visible fat as possible. Cut into strips (1/2 thick).

1 tablespoon olive oil


2 cloves garlic, minced

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork and stir

1 medium onion, chopped

constantly until it is browned. Remove pork to paper towels to drain.

1 medium apple, chopped


1 medium red pepper, chopped

Return the skillet to the stove and add in the garlic and onion. Cover skillet

1 medium yellow pepper, chopped

and cook until onion is translucent. Then add the apple, peppers, carrots,

4 carrots, diced

celery, and stock. Cover and reduce the heat to low. After 5 minutes, return

cup chopped celery

the pork to the pan. Add ground ginger, stir, and continue to saut until the

cup vegetable stock

pork is completely cooked through.

1 teaspoon ground ginger


Makes 6 servings.

82

FISH &
SHELLFISH
The bodybuilding diet is typically low in fat, low in carbohydrates, low in

Our fish recipes are prepared in some of the most healthful ways: baking,
broiling, steaming, and grilling. Weve also chosen some of the most popular
types of fish, so youre likely to have success finding them at your local
grocery store. Although fish is a healthy addition to any diet, you shouldnt
eat it every day. We recommend you fit in 12 ounces of (low-mercury) fish into
your diet per week.

calories, and high in protein. Fish is a great lean protein choice because most
types meet all of these criteria. Some varieties, including tuna, salmon, and
trout have more fat than others, but even fatty fish have health benefits.
In addition to being good sources of lean protein, fish have bonus nutritional
benefits. First, fish (especially sardines, salmon, halibut, and mackerel) are
great sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are important for supporting
healthy heart and brain functioning. Research also indicates that omega-3s
can help reduce inflammation a great benefit for those who are working out
regularly.
When deciding which fish to buy, your first consideration should be what
is the freshest. If youre shopping at the grocery store, ask the employee in
the fish section what has arrived most recently. If nothing fresh appeals to
you, turn to the freezer section. Shopping at a fish market? Make sure the
fish has been on ice and either cook it within 2 days of purchase or seal it in
an air-tight bag and put it in the freezer. Typically, the sooner you can cook
a fish after its caught, the better it is. Fish can be pricier than other proteins;
however, you can often save by buying frozen, canned, or local catches.

THE RECIPES
FLOUNDER WITH SPINACH....................... 86
INDIAN-SPICED SALMON.......................... 87
MUSSELS WITH COCONUT BROTH............ 88
PEACH & BLACK BEAN SWORDFISH.......... 89
PIZZA-STYLE TUNA MELT.......................... 90
SALMON BURGERS.................................. 91
SESAME SALMON FOR ONE...................... 92
SHRIMP WITH MUSHROOMS.................... 93
TERIYAKI SALMON................................... 94
TROPICAL STEAMED FISH......................... 95
WASABI TUNA STEAKS............................ 96

Flounder with Spinach


Popeye may have thought his strength came from spinach, but most of the protein in this dish is
coming from the fish! Flounder has about 31 grams of protein per fillet. Its also a great source of
vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and vitamin D. If you cant find flounder, you can substitute a similar mild
fish like cod or sole.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 lb. flounder fillets

Preheat oven to 400F.

10 ounces of frozen chopped spinach, thawed


3 ounces whole-wheat crackers, crushed

Combine the crushed crackers, flaxseed, and grated cheese and set

2 tablespoons ground flaxseed

aside.

3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese


Place the fish fillets in one layer at the bottom of a casserole dish. Cover
the fillets with the thawed spinach. Sprinkle the prepared cracker mixture
over the top.
Bake, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes.
Makes 4 servings.

86

Indian-Spiced Salmon
Heres an easy way to pack a lot of flavor into a favorite, high-protein fish. About 5 ounces of this
cooked salmon yields just 200 calories and 8 grams of fat. Serve it with vegetables like asparagus
and whole grain rice for a complete, filling, and healthful meal.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

4 salmon steaks (about 6 ounces each), 1 thick

Put the salmon steaks in a baking dish and pour the chicken stock and

cup chicken stock

lemon juice over them. Then sprinkle the cumin, fennel seeds, coriander,

2 tablespoons lemon juice (fresh squeezed if possible)

salt and pepper over that. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and put it in the

teaspoon cumin

refrigerator for three hours or more to marinate.

teaspoon crushed fennel seeds


teaspoon ground coriander

When youre ready to cook, cover your broiler pan with aluminum foil.

Salt and pepper, to taste

Place the steaks on top and add 1 tablespoon of the marinade on top of
each. Place under broiler on low broil for 8-10 minutes. Turn them over and
add leftover marinade. Then broil them for an additional 8-10 minutes.
Makes 4 servings.

87

Mussels with Coconut Broth


Mussels are both low in fat and high in protein, making them a great choice for most people
following a clean, high protein diet. 3 ounces of mussels have about as much protein as 3 ounces
of red meat, but these shellfish have less total fat and saturated fat than meat. They are also
particularly high in iron, selenium, and vitamin B12.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

cup light coconut milk

In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the coconut milk, sugar

1 tablespoon sugar substitute

substitute, lemon juice, curry powder, garlic, ginger, and chicken broth.

2 tablespoons lemon juice

Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring to a boil and add in the

2 teaspoons curry powder

mussels. Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until shells open. Discard any

1 clove garlic, crushed

mussels with closed shells.

1 tablespoon ground ginger


2 cups fat-free chicken broth

Top with chopped fresh basil and serve promptly.

2 lbs. mussels, cleaned


Chopped fresh basil

88

Makes 4 servings.

Peach & Black Bean Swordfish


Swordfish is an awesome source of protein. One 4-ounce fillet will net you about 28 grams of
protein with only about 4 grams of fat if it is prepared on the grill without extra oil or butter. Instead
of flavoring with those fatty add-ons, we pair these grilled fillets with a tasty peach and black bean
combo. If peaches arent in season, you can substitute another similar fruit wed recommend
pineapple or mango.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

2 ripe peaches, pitted and chopped

In a medium bowl, make the salsa by mixing the peaches, kiwi, red

1 kiwi, skinned and chopped

pepper, black beans, salsa, salt, and juice of 1 lime. Mix well and set

1 small red pepper, diced

aside.

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained


cup peach salsa

Preheat the grill or set a grill pan sprayed with cooking spray over

teaspoon salt

medium-high heat. Squirt the juice of the remaining lime over the fillets

2 limes

and grill for about 8 minutes, turning them over halfway through cooking.

1 lb. swordfish fillets


Top each cooked filet with about of the peach and black-bean mixture
and serve.
Makes 4 servings.

89

Pizza-Style Tuna Melt


Fish might not sound like your first choice at the pizzeria, but these pizza-style mini-tuna melts are
truly delicious. Plus, theyre packed with protein from the tuna and are full of the melted, gooey
cheese that makes traditional tuna melts a favorite diner food. These come together very quickly and
make a great lunch.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 regular or low-calorie English muffin

Slice the English muffin in half. Spread 1 tablespoon of tomato sauce on

2 tablespoons tomato sauce

each half and sprinkle the oregano evenly over each.

teaspoon oregano
1 (5 ounce) can of tuna, packed in water, drained

Drain the tuna and pat dry with paper towels. Divide tuna evenly between

2 slices tomato

the two halves, place a slice of tomato on each half, and sprinkle with

cup reduced-fat, shredded mozzarella cheese

cheese.
Broil in the toaster oven for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese has just
melted.
Serve open-faced as two mini-sandwiches.
Makes 1 serving.

90

Salmon Burgers
If youve never tried a salmon burger before, youve got to try this one! Salmon is a great source of
protein packing 19 grams in just 3 ounces. Its also a great source of essential fatty acids that keep
the body, mind, and heart healthy. Serve each burger with our tangy yogurt sauce to impress your
guests (and your taste buds) at your next barbecue.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

Salmon Burger:

To make the sauce, combine all sauce ingredients and mix well in a small

1 (7.5 ounce) can salmon, drained

bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

cup shredded zucchini


2 tablespoons unseasoned bread crumbs

To make the burger patties, combine all salmon burger ingredients and

2 tablespoons finely chopped onion

mix well. Divide the mixture into four equal portions and shape each into

1 egg white

a 4 patty.

teaspoon finely chopped fresh dill


teaspoon salt

Spray a large nonstick skillet with nonstick spray. Heat skillet over

teaspoon black pepper

medium-high heat and add patties. Cook 5-8 minutes, turning once during

Yogurt Sauce:

cooking.

cup plain, nonfat yogurt


2 tablespoons fat-free mayonnaise

Serve each burger on a low-carb sandwich thin or in a pita pocket. Top

1 tablespoon chopped onion

with 1 tablespoon of prepared yogurt sauce.

1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill


4 low-carb pita pockets

Makes 4 burgers.

91

Sesame Salmon for One


Cooking for just one person can be a challenge, especially if youre not interested in eating that
same dinner over and over for the rest of the week. This is a great way to get your weekly serving
of fish without letting any go to waste (or having to eat more than is recommended due to mercury
concerns). Salmon is a great source of protein and heart-healthy omega-3s. The zucchini adds in
extra benefits with fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, and potassium. A side of quinoa is
the perfect accompaniment if you want to add more carbs to your meal.
INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons low-fat sesame ginger salad dressing

spray. Place the zucchini pieces in the center and cover with the salmon.

1 clove garlic, minced

Pour all the remaining dressing from the bag over the salmon.

1 salmon filet, skinless (about 4 ounces)


2 small zucchinis, chopped into bite-sized pieces

Use the aluminum foil to completely cover the salmon and vegetables so

1 teaspoon sesame seeds (lightly toasted, if desired)

that it makes a sealed packet. Place the packet on a baking sheet and
bake in the oven for 15 minutes.

DIRECTIONS
Place garlic and dressing in a plastic bag and add the salmon filet. Cover

Remove from oven and allow packet to sit for a minute. Be careful of the

fish with the dressing and allow it to marinate in the bag for 15 minutes in

steam released when the packet is opened. Sprinkle with sesame seeds

the refrigerator.

and serve.

Spray a large sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil with nonstick cooking

Makes 1 serving.

92

Shrimp with Mushrooms


Try serving this recipe over bulgur wheat, whole-wheat pasta, or quinoa for a low-fat, high-fiber carb
that will help keep you feeling full until breakfast. Short preparation time makes this meal an easy
choice when youre hungry after work/school (and a much healthier choice than turning to the drivethrough or the take-out menus). You dont even need to remember to defrost the shrimp the day
before!

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

2 teaspoons olive oil

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add in the sliced

8 ounces of sliced mushrooms

mushrooms, onions, garlic, red pepper and saut for about 5 minutes,

cup diced onion

stirring constantly. Add in the shrimp, wine, and basil. Reduce heat to low,

1 clove of garlic, crushed

cover the skillet, and let simmer for 5 minutes. Add in salt and pepper to

medium red bell pepper, diced

taste.

12 ounces frozen small shrimp


2 tablespoons white wine

Makes 4 servings.

teaspoon dried basil


Salt and pepper to taste

93

Teriyaki Salmon
Looking for a high-protein dinner with a little more taste than the usual grilled chicken breast? Try
our Teriyaki Salmon. In addition to being rich in protein, salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids which
have been found to support a healthy cardiovascular system and brain functioning. Your body
cant make omega-3s on its own which is why its a good idea to get them in your diet and through
supplements.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

Nonstick vegetable cooking spray

Preheat broiler.

1 lbs of salmon fillets or 4 salmon steaks, (approx. 6 ounces each)


1 tablespoon soy sauce

Line a broiler pan with aluminum foil and spray it with the nonstick cooking

1 tablespoon honey

spray. Arrange the salmon steaks on the pan.

teaspoon ground ginger


teaspoon mace or nutmeg

In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, honey, ginger, and mace to make
the sauce. Brush the salmon with the sauce. Broil about 7 to 10 minutes
on each side. Apply remaining sauce during the cooking process.
Makes 4 servings.

94

Tropical Steamed Fish


Steaming is one of the most healthful ways to prepare fresh fish without adding any extra oil or
butter! Instead, this fish is given a tangy citrus flavor with both lemon and lime juice. We prefer to use
sole for this preparation, but you can substitute a similar fish, like haddock or cod, if desired.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 lbs. sole fillets

Use heavy-duty aluminum foil to create a sturdy base for the fish. Arrange

1 lime

fillets on the foil and place on top of a steamer rack over boiling water.

1 lemon
cup onion, finely chopped

Squeeze the lime and lemon over the fish evenly. Then top with the finely

Pineapple or Mango salsa, optional

chopped onions.
Cover and steam the fish until it is cooked, about 5 minutes. The fish
should flake easily with a fork. Serve with a pineapple or mango salsa if
desired.
Makes 4 servings.

95

Wasabi Tuna Steaks


Tuna doesnt always have to come from the can! Pick up some tuna steaks instead at the grocery
store and try this intensely flavorful recipe that packs a punch from the Japanese condiment wasabi.
Research suggests that eating spicy foods, like wasabi, can help keep you eat slower, eat less, and
even crank up your metabolism.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

4 (6-ounce) tuna steaks, approximately 1 inch thick

Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the soy sauce over the tuna steaks and allow it to

2 tablespoons soy sauce, divided

stand for 5 minutes.

2 tablespoons ginger marmalade


2 teaspoons wasabi paste

In a small bowl, combine the remaining tablespoon of soy sauce,

1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

marmalade, and wasabi paste and mix well.


Spray a grill pan with nonstick cooking spray and heat over mediumhigh heat on the stove. Add the tuna steaks to the pan and cook about 2
minutes per side. Coat one side with the wasabi mixture and allow it to
cook for 1 minute longer or until it has reached your desired degree of
doneness.
Remove from heat and sprinkle with parsley.
Makes 4 servings.

96

SIDES &
SAUCES
Man cannot live on meat alone! While protein may make up the
center of your plate, its important to supplement your meals with the
carbohydrates, fiber, healthful fats, vitamins, and minerals that you
can get from side dishes. For this cookbook, weve chosen mostly
side dishes that are focused around fruits and vegetables. Starchier
vegetables like the potatoes in our Easy Microwave New Potatoes,
Oven-Roasted French Fries, and Fruity Sweet Potatoes and the
rice in our Spinach and Rice Bake are all good sources of complex
carbohydrates that will provide your body with long-term energy.
Complex carbohydrates are broken down into simpler sugars and stored
in your muscles in the form of glycogen. Later on, during your workout,
this glycogen is broken down by your muscles as it is needed for energy
to power your workout. Your body needs some complex carbohydrates
in both your pre-workout and post-workout meals.

THE RECIPES
BAKED TOMATOES................................. 100
CLASSIC BBQ SAUCE............................. 101
EASY MICROWAVE NEW POTATOES......... 102
FRUITY SWEET POTATOES...................... 103
MANGO SALSA...................................... 104
OVEN-ROASTED FRENCH FRIES............... 105
PEAS & CRUNCHY CARROTS.................. 106
PROSCIUTTO-CORN SAUT...................... 107
ROASTED SWEET POTATO
& BANANA MASH.................................. 108
SPINACH & RICE BAKE........................... 109

Baked Tomatoes
There are so many ways to use these tomatoes in your meals. You can enjoy them cold, as a
summertime side dish, or piping hot. You can even serve them cold on top of a fresh garden salad.
Each cup serving of tomatoes has about 40 calories so feel free to get creative about the dishes
you add them too.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 pint cherry tomatoes

Preheat oven to 375F.

2 cloves garlic, minced


3 tablespoons onion

Wash tomatoes and remove any stems and leaves. Place cleaned

cup fresh parsley, minced

tomatoes in a shallow baking dish and cover with chopped onions,

2 tablespoons fresh basil, minced

parsley, thyme, salt, pepper, and cheese (if desired).

teaspoon dried thyme


Salt and pepper, to taste

Bake the tomatoes for 6 minutes, stirring once halfway through the

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, optional

cooking process.
Serve hot or allow tomatoes to cool to room temperature before
refrigerating.
Makes 4 servings.

100

Classic BBQ Sauce


Grilled chicken can get boring if you forbid yourself from adding creamy dressings and sugary
sauces. Our bbq sauce is the solution great barbecue taste with just about 25 calories per
tablespoon.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 cup ketchup

Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized saucepan. Heat over medium

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

heat, stirring constantly until it reaches a simmer. Allow to simmer for 5

2 tablespoons molasses

minutes more. Apply to grilled chicken breasts or use as a substitute for

2 tablespoons dark brown sugar

store-bought BBQ sauces in your favorite recipes.

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce


2 teaspoons soy sauce
teaspoon garlic powder
teaspoon onion powder
teaspoon ground cumin
teaspoon paprika
teaspoon hot sauce

101

Easy Microwave
New Potatoes
Hungry right now? These microwaved potatoes are the answer to time-crunch cooking. If you dont
have any leeks in the house, swap them out for chopped onions or scallions instead. These make
a great side dish for poultry and beef dinners and are a lower-fat alternative to both mashed and
scalloped potatoes.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

2 tablespoons light butter or light butter spread

Microwave butter in a 2-quart casserole dish on HIGH for 30-45 seconds

1 lbs. new red potatoes, quartered

to melt. Add potatoes, leeks, pepper and toss to coat. Cover dish and

cup sliced leeks

microwave on HIGH for 6-8 minutes more (potatoes should be fork

1 large red bell pepper, chopped

tender). Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese


Makes 5 servings.

102

Fruity Sweet Potatoes


Sweet potatoes are well recognized for their nutrient value. High in fiber, potassium, vitamin A,
and vitamin C, they are great for anyone with an active lifestyle. Sweet potatoes tend to have more
calories than most vegetables because they are high in starch; however, their high fiber and nutrient
content make them well worth it. Theyre also delicious: the orange flavor of this recipe adds an extra
sweetness to our potatoes!
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

6 medium-sized sweet potatoes

Scrub the sweet potatoes to remove any lingering dirt from the skin. Drop

cup orange juice

them in a large pot of boiling water and cover. Boil the potatoes until they

teaspoon cinnamon

are tender. You should be able to pierce them easily with a fork.

teaspoon salt
teaspoon nutmeg, optional

Drain the potatoes and allow them to cool. When possible, peel them. Cut
into chunks.
In a saucepan over low heat, combine all ingredients including the cut
sweet potatoes. Cook until most of the orange juice is gone, about 9-10
minutes.
Makes 6 servings.

103

Mango Salsa
Choose the ripest mangoes for this salsa. Ripe mangoes will be slightly softer and will have a fruity
fragrance. Use this salsa as a side dish or topping for grilled chicken or fish.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

3 mangos, pitted and cubed

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and toss well. Allow juices to mix

cup red onion, finely chopped

for 10 minutes. Toss gently again and serve.

cup red bell pepper, finely chopped


1 jalapeo pepper, minced
Juice of 1 lime
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped

104

Makes 9 servings.

Oven-Roasted French Fries


Eating well shouldnt mean having to give up your favorite foods entirely. Cutting out carbs
completely or depriving yourself of all the foods youre craving can lead to binges and major slips
later on. Instead, try making your favorites in a new way or with more healthful ingredients. French
fries sound good this week? Cut back on the fat content by switching the deep-fried, fast-food
versions for these oven-roasted fries.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

5 medium baking potatoes

Preheat oven to 375F.

cup olive oil


teaspoon paprika

Wash and dry potatoes. Cut into wedges. Each potato should yield 6-8

Salt and pepper

wedges. Lay wedges flat on a baking sheet and brush both flat sides with
oil. Sprinkle with paprika, salt, and pepper to taste. Roast in the oven for
40-45 minutes.
Makes 5 servings.

105

Peas & Crunchy Carrots


Our twist on the traditional peas and carrots side dish uses an egg to add in some extra protein.
Even though theyre baked in the oven, these carrots will keep some of their crunch. Grate them in
thicker slices for the most crunch, thinner slices for the least. This dish is a perfect veggie side dish
for grilled chicken and turkey breast.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

2 tablespoons olive oil

Preheat oven to 350F.

cup onion, finely chopped


1 egg

In a small bowl, beat together the egg and milk. Stir in basil, oregano,

cup fat-free milk

parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper. Set aside.

1 teaspoon dried basil


1 teaspoon oregano

In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the onions in the oil until they are

1 teaspoon parsley

translucent. Add cooked onions and grated carrots to the milk mixture and

2 cloves garlic, minced

stir to combine.

teaspoon salt
teaspoon black pepper

Pour the mixture into a small casserole dish and bake in the oven for 20 minutes.

2 cups grated carrots


5 ounces peas, frozen

While the carrots are baking, cook the peas in the microwave according
to package directions. When carrots are finished baking, stir cooked peas
into the casserole dish, mix well, and serve.

106

Makes 4 servings.

Prosciutto-Corn Saut
You can get the great taste and flavors of bacon in a leaner way by using the Italian ham known as
prosciutto. Prosciutto is a complete protein, delivering all nine essential amino acids, with about
15 grams of protein in a 2 ounce serving. Its also a good source of iron. Best of all, it livens up the
flavors of the vegetables in this recipe for a delicious side dish.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

teaspoon olive oil

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the

cup prosciutto, cut into small strips

chopped prosciutto and saut for about 4 minutes. Add in the corn,

2 cups corn kernels (fresh or frozen)

pepper, and garlic and saut for 5-7 minutes longer. Drain any excess oil/

1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced

fat from the skillet and serve immediately.

1 clove garlic, minced


Makes 4 servings.

107

Roasted Sweet Potato &


Banana Mash
Sweet potatoes are one of our favorite vegetables and a filling source of starch. Theyre also a great
source of vitamin C, vitamin B12, and potassium. Try this recipe to switch up your preparation from
simple roasting or microwaving. These sweet potatoes get extra sweetness from potassium-rich
bananas and orange juice while picking up a little spice from the cinnamon. Delicious!
INGREDIENTS
1 lbs sweet potatoes, scrubbed

While potatoes are cooling, place the bananas in a baking dish and roast

2 medium, ripe bananas, peeled and cut into large chunks

in the oven for about 15 minutes. They will become very soft and juicy.

2 tablespoons orange juice

Remove from oven and add orange juice to the hot dish. Mash the orange

1 teaspoon cinnamon

juice with bananas.

teaspoon ground nutmeg


3 tablespoons brown sugar

Place peeled sweet potatoes, mashed bananas (and juice drippings), in a


mixing bowl fitted with an electric mixer. Add in the cinnamon, nutmeg, and

DIRECTIONS

brown sugar and beat until well-combined. The mixture will be smooth.

Preheat the oven to 375F.


Transfer mixture to a baking dish and return to the oven. Continue baking
Poke several holes in each sweet potato with a fork and place on a baking

until the mixture is hot enough to serve.

pan sprayed with nonstick spray. Bake potatoes in the oven for about 1
hour or until they are soft. Set aside to cool. Remove skin when they are
cool enough to touch.

108

Makes 6 servings.

Spinach & Rice Bake


This recipe calls for panko, a Japanese bread crumb that is made only from the center of bread, not
from the crusts, which keeps it lighter and flakier than regular bread crumbs. Panko makes a crispy
coating that absorbs less grease so keep it in mind any time youre coating proteins for frying. In this
recipe, the panko adds a little crunch to this creamy spinach side dish.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

cup low-fat or non-fat cottage cheese

Preheat oven to 350F.

cup cooked white rice


2 egg whites, beaten until fluffy

In a small bowl, mix together the egg white (pre-beaten), parsley, and

2 teaspoons fresh parsley, chopped

pepper.

teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper


3 cups of fresh spinach leaves, long stems removed

Combine rice and cottage cheese in a large bowl. Add the egg white

cup Panko or whole-wheat bread crumbs

mixture and spinach and mix well. Pour everything into a casserole dish
and top with Panko crumbs. Bake in the oven for 40 minutes. Serve hot.
Makes 2 servings.

109

DESSERTS
& SNACKS
If you have a sweet tooth, you know that any diet that forces you to
abandon all sweet treats entirely is just not going to work. Instead, youre
more likely to have success if you allow yourself flexibility. This could be
in the form of a weekly, indulgent cheat meal or by choosing lighter,
sweet treats on a daily basis. The desserts included here fit the latter
category best and can be enjoyed, in moderation (aka just one serving!),
every day.
Fruit is one of the best ways to get the sweet flavors you crave into
your diet without reversing the progress youve made in the gym. For
this cookbook, weve chosen a variety of baked fruit desserts like our
Baked Cinnamon-Sugar Apples, No-Crust Peach Cobbler, and Warm
Streusel Pears that can be enjoyed piping hot out of the oven or cold as
refrigerated leftovers. Youll be getting the sweetness of the fruit as well
as the healthful antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that they contain.
Weve also lightened up some of our favorite rich desserts, including
brownies and pumpkin pie, so you can indulge in those cravings with
less guilt.

THE RECIPES
BAKED CINNAMON-SUGAR APPLES......... 113
BLACK BEAN BROWNIES........................ 114
CHILLY COCONUT BANANA TREATS......... 115
CREAMY FRUIT DIP................................ 116
GREEK YOGURT PARFAIT........................ 117
NO-CRUST PEACH COBBLER................... 118
NO-CRUST PUMPKIN PIE........................ 119
PINEAPPLE ANGEL FOOD CAKE............... 120
SWEET & FRUITY BRAN BARS................ 121
WARM STREUSEL PEARS....................... 122

Baked Cinnamon-Sugar Apples


Fruit is a great choice when youve got a strong craving for something sweet; however, reaching for
raw apple after apple can get boring. Instead, try baking your fruit like this recipe for baked apples. It
changes the texture and sweetness of the fruit. Your taste buds will thank you for a new sweet treat.
This recipe for baked apples is great hot or cold when served plain or over fat-free vanilla yogurt.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

3 medium apples (Macintosh or similar variety)

Soak raisins and cranberries in room-temperature water for about 20

cup raisins

minutes to re-plump.

dried cranberries
2 tablespoons of low-calorie brown sugar substitute

Preheat oven to 350F.

1 tablespoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Peel and slice the apples very thin. Discard peel.

cup oats
Spray a small casserole dish liberally with nonstick baking spray. Add
apple slices, raisins, cranberries, brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of the
cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Mix well. Top with oats and sprinkle
remaining tablespoon of cinnamon on top.
Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes. Enjoy hot or cold.
Makes 4 servings.

113

Black Bean Brownies


Hold your judgment until you try these brownies for yourself! Making them with black beans packs
in 2 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber in every ounce. It also reduces the need to use fatty and
carbohydrate-heavy ingredients like the butter, flour, and sugar of more-traditional brownie recipes.
Plus, these brownies still have an amazing, chocolaty taste!
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained very well

Preheat oven to 350F.

4 large eggs
cup low-calorie sugar substitute

Spray an 8x8 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

4 tablespoons cocoa powder


1 tablespoon instant coffee dissolved in 1 tablespoon hot water

Add the eggs, sugar, cocoa powder, coffee, baking powder, and oil to a

1 teaspoon baking powder

blender. Blend well. Add the black beans and vanilla and blend again.

2 tablespoons canola oil

When the mixture is smooth, pour it into the prepared pan.

1 teaspoons vanilla
Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the
brownies comes out clean. Cool and serve.
Makes 16 brownies.

114

Chilly Coconut Banana Treats


These nuggets make a great cold, tropical treat for summertime. You can use toasted or untoasted
coconut (but we prefer the chewier, nuttier taste of the toasted). To toast your shredded coconut,
spread it out on a baking sheet and bake in a 300 degree oven for about 20 minutes, stirring
occasionally.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

4 bananas (firm)

Slice each banana into approximately 7 bite-sized pieces. Using a

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

toothpick, dip each piece first into the lemon juice, then into the yogurt.

cup non-fat vanilla-flavored yogurt

Then roll gently in the coconut to coat well. Place the coated banana bites

2 cups sweetened flaked coconut, toasted

in a single layer on a baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and freeze for
at least 3 hours. Store leftovers in the freezer.
Makes 7 servings.

115

Creamy Fruit Dip


Need an extra incentive to eat your fruit? Whip up this quick dip and youll love dunking slices of
bananas, melon, apple, peaches, pears, and more. Keep extra in the fridge for the next time a
craving for dessert hits.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

8 ounces low-fat cream cheese, room temperature

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until soft. Slowly add the

6 ounces fat-free vanilla yogurt

yogurt, vanilla, and sweetener and beat well until light and fluffy.

1 teaspoon vanilla extract


3 tablespoons no-calorie sweetener

116

Greek Yogurt Parfait


Greek yogurt is thicker, creamier, and richer than its American counterpart and has been a healthy
part of the Greek diet for thousands of years. It also typically has less sugar than regular storebought yogurts. Pairing the yogurt with the red berries in this parfait packs both protein and
antioxidants into a delicious, low-fat dessert.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

cup nonfat Greek yogurt

Shell the pistachios and place the nuts in a small plastic bag. Use a flat,

cup strawberries, sliced

heavy object to smash the pistachios into small pieces.

cup raspberries
1 teaspoon honey

Into a small bowl or parfait glass, pour cup of the Greek yogurt. Layer

10 pistachios

on the sliced strawberries, then add the remaining cup of yogurt. Top
with raspberries. Drizzle honey over the top and sprinkle the pistachios
over that.
Makes 1 serving.

117

No-Crust Peach Cobbler


Love peach pie? The crust can be a disaster of calories, fat, and saturated fat. Choose this recipe
instead to get the sweetness of the peaches without all the unnecessary add-ons. Serve it hot and
a la mode with a scoop of low-fat vanilla frozen yogurt.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 (15 ounce) can sliced peaches in light syrup, drained

Preheat oven to 375F.

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour


2 tablespoons brown sugar

In a small bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and oats.

teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons oats

Place peaches in a small baking dish. Cover with oat mixture and toss to
mix. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes.
Makes 4 servings.

118

No-Crust Pumpkin Pie


Want a lower-carb and lower-fat alternative to the holiday dessert spread? Bring this pie to your next
get-together. It has the delicious taste and flavor of real pumpkin pie, without all the fat, carbs, and
calories of the traditional. Plus, pumpkin is a great source of fiber and vitamin E.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin

Preheat oven to 400F.

12 ounces fat-free evaporated milk


cup fat-free egg substitute

Spray a pie dish with nonstick baking spray.

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice


cup no-calorie sweetener

In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and beat well. The batter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

should be well-incorporated and smooth. Pour into prepared pie pan.

1 teaspoon cinnamon
Bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Reduce oven heat to 325F and bake for
another 45 minutes. A knife inserted into the center of the pie should come
out clean when baking is complete. When cool, sprinkle the top of the pie
with cinnamon.
Makes 8 servings.

119

Pineapple Angel Food Cake


With just 3 ingredients (one of which is optional), this cake couldnt be any easier to put together!
Serve it with a low-calorie whipped topping and some fresh berries or enjoy it plain, out of the pan.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 (16 ounce) package dry angel food cake mix

Preheat oven to 350F.

1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice, sugar-free if possible


cup coconut, optional

Spray a 9x13 inch pan with nonstick baking spray.


In a mixing bowl, combine cake mix and pineapple and mix well. Stir in
coconut if desired. Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake in the oven for 25 minutes. Let cool completely and serve with nonfat whipped topping.
Makes 12 servings.

120

Sweet & Fruity Bran Bars


These bars are a wholesome and filling way to shut down your sugar cravings. Choose a bran cereal
that is low in sugar and doesnt have any extra flavorings youll be adding in your own sweetness
with the honey and vanilla. Feel free to substitute the cranberries with extra raisins if you prefer
or swap walnuts for the pecans. The nuts and peanut butter add healthy omega-3 fatty acids and
protein to this snack bar.
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

2 cups low-sugar, plain bran cereal

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, peanut butter,

cup raisins

and honey and stir continuously until the mixture is smooth and well

cup dried cranberries

combined. Remove from heat and add all remaining ingredients. Mix well

cup chopped pecans

to incorporate.

1 tablespoon unsalted butter


cup peanut butter

Grease a 9x9 square pan with baking spray. Press the mixture into the pan

cup clover honey

evenly. Allow it to cool completely before cutting into bars.

1 teaspoon vanilla extract


teaspoon ground cinnamon

Makes 20 bars.

121

Warm Streusel Pears


Another baked fruit dessert, these pears are best served warm. Using ground oats instead of flour
to make the streusel topping adds in a nutty flavor and a good source of complex carbs and fiber.
Using honey to sweeten the pears is a great alternative to regular table sugar. Honey has more
calories per teaspoon; however, it is much sweeter than sugar so a little bit goes a longer way!
INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

cup finely ground oats

Preheat oven to 375F.

cup low-calorie brown sugar substitute


1 tablespoon butter, melted

For the streusel mixture, combine ground oats, brown sugar substitute,

1 tablespoon honey

butter, honey, cinnamon, allspice, and walnuts in a small bowl. Set aside.

teaspoon cinnamon
teaspoon salt

Spray a small baking dish with nonstick baking spray. Scoop the core

teaspoon allspice

out of each pear half using a spoon and place each pear cut-side-up in

cup chopped walnuts

the dish. Pour cider and brandy into the dish around the pears. Spoon

3 ripe pears, peeled and cut in half

of the streusel into the center of each pear half. Cover baking dish with

cup apple cider

aluminum foil.

2 tablespoons Calvados or other apple brandy


Bake in the over for 30 minutes. Serve warm, topped with some of the
liquid from the baking dish.
Makes 6 servings.

122

PROTEIN
SHAKES
Its not always easy to get all of the protein you need through your
diet, especially if you dont have a lot of time to devote to cooking and
preparing your meals. Thats where protein shakes come in. Fortunately,
they can be absolutely delicious, like many of the recipes for sweet
shakes that weve included here. While protein powders often make for
delicious drinks on their own when shaken with water or milk, youll be
glad you invested in a blender to create these unique, delicious, and
protein-packed shakes.
Proteins are not only used to build, maintain, and repair muscles, but
also to make up and repair structures within nearly every cell, tissue, and
organ. Solid food sources of protein can take more time to digest and
break down to repair muscles than liquid sources of protein. As a result,
drinking a protein shake immediately following a workout can be the best
way to help your muscles begin the recovery and rebuilding process.

THE RECIPES
BERRY CHEESECAKE SHAKE................... 126
CHOCOLATE PB BANANA SHAKE............. 127
CINNAMON BUN PROTEIN SHAKE........... 128
MOCHA CHOCOLATE SHAKE................... 129
ORANGE-COCONUT PROTEIN SHAKE........ 130
PEANUT BUTTER CUP SHAKE................. 131
PUMPKIN PIE PROTEIN SHAKE............... 132
STRAWBERRIES & CREAM SHAKE........... 133
TROPICAL PROTEIN SHAKE..................... 134
ULTIMATE CHOCOLATE PROTEIN SHAKE... 135

Berry Cheesecake Shake


Lactose intolerant? Try using almond milk and lactose-free whey powders. Almond milk is lactosefree and still a great source of vitamins and nutrients like calcium, vitamin E, and iron.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

Blend all ingredients together until shake reaches desired consistency.

2 ounces fat-free cream cheese

Add water to thin the shake if desired.

2 scoops vanilla protein powder


cup frozen blueberries
cup frozen strawberries

126

Chocolate PB Banana Shake


We choose natural peanut butter for this shake because it tends to be a little thinner and mix better
in the blender. The two tablespoons of peanut butter in this shake provide about 7 additional grams
of protein.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

Blend all ingredients together until shake reaches desired consistency.

1 frozen banana

Add water to thin the shake if desired.

1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 scoops chocolate or dark chocolate protein
2 tablespoons natural creamy peanut butter

127

Cinnamon Bun Protein Shake


Find the scent of cinnamon irresistible? Then youll love the rich cinnamon taste of this creamy
shake. As a bonus, cinnamon is a good source of antioxidants that help your body fight damage
from free radicals.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

2 scoops vanilla whey protein powder

Blend all ingredients together until shake reaches desired consistency.

1 tablespoon sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mix

Add water to thin the shake if desired.

teaspoon cinnamon
teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup skim milk
1 packet no-calorie sweetener

128

Mocha Chocolate Shake


Coffee addict? This is the shake for you. You can adjust for an even stronger mocha taste by adding
more instant coffee powder.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

2 scoops chocolate protein powder

Blend all ingredients together until shake reaches desired consistency.

1 cup skim milk

Add water to thin the shake if desired.

cup ice cubes


1 cup water
1 tablespoon instant coffee powder
2 teaspoons sugar-free instant chocolate pudding mix

129

Orange-Coconut Protein Shake


Adding in a little coconut extract and coconut milk gives this shake its coconut flavor. If you like a
sweeter shake, you may want to add in a packet or two of no-calorie sweetener.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

2 scoops vanilla protein powder

Blend all ingredients together until shake reaches desired consistency.

cup light coconut milk

Add water to thin the shake if desired.

teaspoon coconut extract


cup non-fat milk
1 frozen banana
2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate

130

Peanut Butter Cup Shake


Want your protein shake to really taste like dessert? Add in a tablespoon of chocolate chips or
sprinkles after youve blended. They do add a little extra sugar and fat, but for many of us, the
splurge is well worth it.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 cup skim milk

Blend all ingredients except chocolate chips until shake reaches desired

2 scoops chocolate whey protein powder

consistency. Add water to thin the shake if desired. Mix in chocolate chips.

4 tablespoons natural chunky peanut butter


1 tablespoon flax seed oil
1 cup ice cubes
1 tablespoon chocolate chips or chocolate sprinkles, optional

131

Pumpkin Pie Protein Shake


For a very creamy pumpkin shake, substitute the cup of water in this recipe for a cup of light vanilla
soymilk.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

2 scoops vanilla whey protein powder

Blend all ingredients together until shake reaches desired consistency.

1 cup water

Add water to thin the shake if desired.

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice


cup canned pumpkin
cup ice cubes
2 packets no-calorie sugar substitute

132

Strawberries & Cream Shake


If strawberry ice cream is your go-to flavor, youll love this shake. Use strawberryflavored Greek
yogurt if you like a thicker shake.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

2 scoops vanilla protein powder

Blend all ingredients together until shake reaches desired consistency.

1 cup water

Add water to thin the shake if desired.

1 cup fat-free strawberry-flavored yogurt


cup frozen strawberries
teaspoon honey

133

Tropical Protein Shake


With frozen mango and banana, this shake is easy and refreshing to drink, especially during the hot,
summer months.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

2 scoops vanilla whey protein powder

Blend all ingredients together until shake reaches desired consistency.

1 cup peeled, frozen mango chunks

Add water to thin the shake if desired.

frozen banana
1 cup non-fat vanilla yogurt
1 tablespoon flax seed oil
1 cup ice cubes

134

Ultimate Chocolate Protein Shake


Get your fix of sweet while youre helping your bodys post-workout recovery with a delicious,
chocolate whey protein shake. Theres nothing better after a tough workout than the sweet reward of
this super-chocolaty shake.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

2 scoops chocolate whey protein

Blend all ingredients together in your blender until it reaches desired

12 ounces skim milk

consistency. You can alter the amount of ice to change the thickness of

3 tablespoons low-fat vanilla yogurt

the shake and the amount of caramel topping to increase or decrease the

1 cup ice cubes

sweetness.

cup caramel ice cream topping


1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter

135

Index
apple

Force Factor Burger, 68


Philly Steak Wrap, 69
Seasoned Flank Steak, 70
Spicy Beef Tacos, 71

Apple Slaw, 33

Whisky-Mushroom Steak, 72

Apple Spiced Pork Tenderloin, 76

Zesty Taco Soup, 29

Baked Cinnamon-Sugar Apples, 113

banana
Chilly Coconut Banana Treats, 115

bran
Sweet & Fruity Bran Bars, 121

breakfast

Chocolate-Banana Oatmeal, 7

Breakfast Egg Cups, 5

Chocolate PB Banana Shake, 127

Cauliflower Hash, 6

Roasted Sweet Potato & Banana Mash, 108

Chocolate Banana Oatmeal, 7

beans

Easy Spinach Frittata, 8

Black Bean Brownies, 114

Fiesta Eggs, 9

Peach & Black Bean Swordfish, 89

French Vanilla Oatmeal, 10

Quick & Easy Black Bean Salad, 40

Low-Fat Breakfast Burrito, 11

Salsa-fied Red Bean Salad, 41

Mediterranean Egg White Omelet, 12

Spicy Black Bean Soup, 27

Protein Pancakes, 13

Turkey Bean Burrito, 57

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal, 14

beef
Beef & Vegetable Stew, 63
Beef Lettuce Wraps, 64
Beef Sirloin Roast, 65
Chinese-Style Beef with Broccoli, 66
Cuban Braised Beef, 67

Zucchini Pancakes, 15

broccoli
Chinese-Style Beef with Broccoli, 66

brownie
Black Bean Brownie, 114

burger

Dipping Sauce, 54

Force Factor Burger, 68

Spicy Grilled Garlic Chicken, 55

Pork & Turkey Burger, 79

Tandoori Chicken, 56

Salmon Burgers, 91

burrito
Low-Fat Breakfast Burrito, 11
Turkey Bean Burrito, 57

cabbage

chickpeas
Gazpacho with Chickpeas, 22

chili
Slow Cooker Pork Chili, 81

chocolate

Apple Slaw, 33

Chocolate-Banana Oatmeal, 7

Fruity Cabbage Slaw, 38

Chocolate PB Banana Shake, 127

carrot
Creamy Carrot Soup, 20
Peas & Crunchy Carrots, 106

cauliflower
Cauliflower Hash, 6
Cauliflower Salad, 36

chicken

Mocha Chocolate Shake, 129


Ultimate Chocolate Protein Shake, 135

cinnamon
Baked Cinnamon-Sugar Apples, 113
Cinnamon Bun Protein Shake, 128

coconut
Chilly Coconut Banana Treats, 115

Baked Lemon-Vegetable Chicken, 48

Mussels with Coconut Broth, 88

Chicken, Noodle, & Spinach Soup, 19

Orange-Coconut Protein Shake, 130

Chili Powder Chicken, 49


Grilled Jerk Chicken, 50
Lime Chicken Breast, 51

corn
Prosciutto-Corn Saut, 107

desserts & snacks

Mushroom Chicken Quesadilla, 52

Baked Cinnamon-Sugar Apples, 113

Orange Chicken, 53

Black Bean Brownies, 114

Pretzel-Crusted Chicken Nuggets with Honey-Mustard

Chilly Coconut Banana Treats, 115

Creamy Fruit Dip, 116


Greek Yogurt Parfait, 117
No-Crust Peach Cobbler, 118
No-Crust Pumpkin Pie, 119
Pineapple Angel Food Cake, 120
Sweet & Fruity Bran Bars, 121
Warm Streusel Pears, 122

eggs
Breakfast Egg Cups, 5
Easy Spinach Frittata, 8
Fiesta Eggs, 9
Mediterranean Egg White Omelet, 12

fish
Asian Seafood Salad, 34
Flounder with Spinach, 86
Indian-Spiced Salmon, 87
Mussels with Coconut Broth, 88

flounder
Flounder with Spinach, 86

gazpacho
Gazpacho with Chickpeas, 22

lemon
Baked Lemon-Vegetable Chicken, 48

lettuce
Beef Lettuce Wraps, 64

lime
Lime Chicken Breast, 51

mango
Mango Salsa, 104

meatballs
Turkey Meatballs, 59

miso
Miso Soup with Mushrooms, 24

mushrooms

Peach & Black Bean Swordfish, 89

Miso Soup with Mushrooms, 24

Pizza-Style Tuna Melt, 90

Mushroom Chicken Quesadilla, 52

Salmon Burgers, 91

Shrimp with Mushrooms, 93

Sesame Salmon for One, 92

Whiskey-Mushroom Steak, 72

Shrimp with Mushrooms, 93


Teriyaki Salmon, 94
Tropical Steamed Fish, 95
Wasabi Tuna Steaks, 96

mussels
Mussels with Coconut Broth, 88

oatmeal
Chocolate-Banana Oatmeal, 7

French Vanilla Oatmeal, 10


Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal, 14

orange
Citrus Spinach Salad, 37
Orange Chicken, 53
Orange-Coconut Protein Shake, 130

pancakes

pineapple
Pineapple Angel Food Cake, 120

pizza
Pizza-Style Tuna Melt, 90

pork
Apple Spiced Pork Tenderloin, 76
Cajun Pork Tenderloin, 77

Protein Pancakes, 13

Pork Chops with Zucchini, 78

Zucchini Pancakes, 15

Pork & Turkey Burger, 79

pasta

Prosciutto-Corn Saut, 107

Chicken, Noodle, & Spinach Soup, 19

Roasted Pork Chops with Tomatoes, 80

Tuna Macaroni Salad, 44

Slow Cooker Pork Chili, 81

peach
No-Crust Peach Cobbler, 118
Peach & Black Bean Swordfish, 89

peanut butter

Stir-Fry Pork & Vegetables, 82

potatoes
Easy Microwave New Potatoes, 102
Fruity Sweet Potatoes, 103

Chocolate PB Banana Shake, 127

Oven Roasted French Fries, 105

Peanut Butter Cup Shake, 131

Roasted Sweet Potato & Banana Mash, 108

peas

poultry

Black Eyed Pea Salad, 35

Baked Lemon-Vegetable Chicken, 48

Minty Pea Soup, 23

Chicken, Noodle, & Spinach Soup, 19

Peas & Crunchy Carrots, 106

Chili Powder Chicken, 49

pears
Warm Streusel Pears, 122

Grilled Jerk Chicken, 50


Lime Chicken Breast, 51
Mushroom Chicken Quesadilla, 52

Orange Chicken, 53

Pumpkin Pie Protein Shake, 132

Pork & Turkey Burger, 79

Pumpkin Soup, 25

Pretzel-Crusted Chicken Nuggets with Honey-Mustard


Dipping Sauce, 54
Spicy Grilled Garlic Chicken, 55

quesadilla
Mushroom Chicken Quesadilla, 52

rice

Tandoori Chicken, 56

Spinach & Rice Bake, 109

Turkey Bean Burritos, 57

Summer Squash & Brown Rice Salad, 42

Turkey Loaf, 58
Turkey Meatballs, 59

prosciutto
Prosciutto-Corn Saut, 107

protein shakes

salad
Apple Slaw, 33
Asian Seafood Salad, 34
Black Eyed Pea Salad, 35
Cauliflower Salad, 36

Berry Cheesecake Shake, 126

Citrus Spinach Salad, 37

Chocolate PB Banana Shake, 127

Fruity Cabbage Slaw, 38

Cinnamon Bun Protein Shake, 128

Peppered Steak Salad, 39

Mocha Chocolate Shake, 129

Quick & Easy Black Bean Salad, 40

Orange-Coconut Protein Shake, 130

Salsa-fied Red Bean Salad, 41

Peanut Butter Cup Shake, 131

Summer Squash & Brown Rice Salad, 42

Pumpkin Pie Protein Shake, 132

Tabbouleh, 43

Strawberries & Cream Shake, 133

Tuna Macaroni Salad, 44

Tropical Protein Shake, 134


Ultimate Chocolate Protein Shake, 135

pumpkin

salmon
Indian-Spiced Salmon, 87
Salmon Burgers, 91

No-Crust Pumpkin Pie, 119

Sesame Salmon for One, 92

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal, 14

Teriyaki Salmon, 93

Oven-Roasted French Fries, 105

salsa

Peas & Crunchy Carrots, 106

Mango Salsa, 104

Prosciutto-Corn Saut, 107

Salsa-fied Red Bean Salad, 41

Roasted Sweet Potato & Banana Mash, 108

seafood
Asian Seafood Salad, 34
Flounder with Spinach, 86
Indian-Spiced Salmon, 87

Spinach & Rice Bake, 109

shrimp
Shrimp with Mushrooms, 93

soup

Mussels with Coconut Broth, 88

Chicken, Noodle, & Spinach Soup, 19

Peach & Black Bean Swordfish, 89

Creamy Carrot Soup, 20

Pizza-Style Tuna Melt, 90

Fat-Free Tomato Soup, 21

Salmon Burgers, 91

Gazpacho with Chickpeas, 22

Sesame Salmon for One, 92

Minty Pea Soup, 23

Shrimp with Mushrooms, 93

Miso Soup with Mushrooms, 24

Teriyaki Salmon, 94

Pumpkin Soup, 25

Tropical Steamed Fish, 95

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, 26

Tuna Macaroni Salad, 44

Spicy Black Bean Soup, 27

Wasabi Tuna Steaks, 96

Vegetable Minestrone, 28

sides & sauces


Baked Tomatoes, 100

Zesty Taco Soup, 29

spinach

Classic BBQ Sauce, 101

Chicken, Noodle, & Spinach Soup, 19

Creamy Fruit Dip, 116

Citrus Spinach Salad, 37

Easy Microwave New Potatoes, 102

Easy Spinach Frittata, 8

Fruity Sweet Potatoes, 103

Flounder with Spinach, 86

Mango Salsa, 104

Spinach & Rice Bake, 109

Cajun Pork Tenderloin, 77

squash

tomato

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal, 14

Baked Tomatoes, 100

Pumpkin Soup, 25

Fat-Free Tomato Soup, 21

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, 26

Roasted Pork Chops with Tomatoes, 78

Summer Squash & Brown Rice Salad, 42

Gazpacho with Chickpeas, 22

steak

tuna

Peppered Steak Salad, 39

Pizza-Style Tuna Melt, 90

Philly Steak Wrap, 69

Tuna Macaroni Salad, 44

Seasoned Flank Steak, 70

Wasabi Tuna Steaks, 96

Whiskey-Mushroom Steak, 72

stew
Beef & Vegetable Stew, 63

strawberry
Strawberries & Cream Shake, 133

sweet potatoes
Fruity Sweet Potatoes, 103
Roasted Sweet Potato & Banana Mash, 108

tabbouleh
Tabbouleh, 43

taco
Spicy Beef Tacos, 71
Zesty Taco Soup, 29

tenderloin
Apple Spiced Pork Tenderloin, 76

turkey
Pork & Turkey Burger, 79
Turkey Bean Burritos, 57
Turkey Loaf, 58
Turkey Meatballs, 59

yogurt
Greek Yogurt Parfait, 117

zucchini
Pork Chops with Zucchini, 78
Zucchini Pancakes, 15

You work hard in the gym, but is your diet getting in the way of achieving your
best results? The sports nutrition experts at Force Factor break down their
favorite recipes for muscle-building meals that will fill you up, keep your taste
buds satisfied, and help you achieve your best results yet. From breakfast
scrambles to protein shakes to midnight snacks, the Force Factor cookbook
has the answer to all your cravings and your bodys needs.

$19.99

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