Healthy and Tasty Bites

Host: You’ve seen her as the chef of the hit reality show the Biggest Loser and she definitely knows a thing or two about wanting to eat healthy. Devin Alexander is a professionally trained chef and caterer and she’s got a new book out. It’s called I can't believe it’s not fattening and it’s full of tips for eating healthy. Good to have you back Devin. I love the title. Devin: There’s no excuses with that title, there aren’t any, this book unlike the biggest loser cookbooks that I’ve also written are fast recipes. This speaks to the people who say yes, it’s great that you’ve lost 55 pounds by cooking but I don’t have time to cook and I’m like no, now you have not excuse because all these dishes can be made in less than 20 minutes on hands on time. Host: So I’m sure with your experience as the chef caterer and then being on the show too putting it together for this book probably was just like a no brainer. Devin: It is, you know a lot of these recipes are the go to recipes that when I am in a hurry that I just throw together quickly. Host: Speaking of which, there’s 150 recipe or over 150 recipes in the book. You brought a couple of your favorites here, so let’s start off. They smell really good by the way. Start off at the end over here, what’s this one? Devin: That is a chocolate peanut butter breakfast banana split. Because I am all about having chocolate all day long. Host: And how many calories does something like this have because it looks like it’s got a lot? Devin: No that has 334 calories and you know those muffins that a lot of people eat for breakfast have like 600 to 900 believe it not for the big muffins and even the smaller ones have about 300 so here you get peanut butter in there which is obviously good for you, bananas, there is some yogurt and then I mixed the yogurt with a little bit of chocolate toss, two teaspoons and then top it with some low fat granola so you get that good crunch. Host: So a little bit of mixing make it fun have a good time with it too. Then next we’ve got a sandwich and there’s a reason that this bread is here. Devin: This baguette so if you’re making food for a family, a lot of times you’re in a hurry, use the whole baguette. This is the serving for four and you stuff it and then I always make chicken on Sundays, grilled chicken or dual lean London broil that you can have for dinner and then keep the leftovers for the week so instead of spending a fortune on deli meat, which can costs $10 to $12 a pound easily, chicken is usually $2 or $3 a pound. Host: This one is about 312 calories, not bad at all. Devin: And 7 grams of fat for that whole sandwich. Host: So this one’s a little heartier meal, people would think that this one has a lot of calories. Devin: They would and that’s also under 350 for four ounces of beef, yes, it’s a pot roast supper and I call it easy as can be pot roast supper. This thing I swear to god comes together of 10 minutes hands on time. Then you just pop it in your oven. Host: Just 10 minutes? And 345 calories for this particular dish and you’ve got potatoes in there and the carrots. Devin: And onions and then your beef all encompassed. Host: Saving the best for last dessert. This is pizza, just hearing the name of it, let me read this. Peppermint brown pizza is that what it is? Devin: Peppermint brownie pizza. Host: They left the I and the E off but I don’t care. How many calories and what did you do to make this? Devin: An eighth of that has only 145 calories. I used boxed brownie mix that I mixed with yogurt so it’s fat free and then I used fat free frozen whip topping, crushed peppermint and chocolate syrup of course. Host: I’m going to hold onto this for a second. So you stripped of 55 pounds for over 20 years or so? What’s your advice then to other people that are trying to not only lose the weight but if they want to get motivated, they want to try to do the same thing, that’s a long time to keep it up. Devin: Cook for yourself, it’s amazing how 20 minutes in your kitchen can truly save you three hours on the treadmill. Host: That’s a good thing. We have to mention, she has a show out, it’s called healthy decadence. Devin: So on Fit TV and then you can always go to my website which is devinalexander.com. Host: It’s you, you’re doing my job for me. Thank you so much Devin, I appreciate it. Again, her book is called I can't believe it’s not fat and again, it’s available now and to see Devin’s show healthy decadence as she mentioned, tune in to fit TV and check your local listings for times.