Love That? Try This! No-Guilt Swaps for Junk Food Cravings!

Posted Tue, Sep 18, 2007, 5:00 am PDT

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If you think in order to drop a few pounds (or maintain your weight) you need to give up your favorite junk foods forever, guess again! As usual, HG's got guilt-free suggestions for everything from brownies to bacon...

Love Brownies? Try Vitalicious VitaBrownies!

A fat 'n' gooey fudge brownie may sound good, but it can cost you hundreds of calories and dozens of fat grams. Fortunately, the guilt-free gurus over at Vitalicious have TWO types of 100-calorie, fiber-packed, low-fat brownie options to choose from -- their classic walnut & chocolate chip-packed one and their new pomegranate & dark chocolate version. These LOOK like brownies, and they TASTE like brownies, but they're low in calories and fat and loaded with fiber and good-for-you nutrients. Good deal!

Love Red Bull? Try FRS Low Calorie Energy Drink!

Energy in a can can be appealing. But sipping a Red Bull will set you back 110 calories for each tiny 8-oz. serving. Sure they make a low-calorie, sugar-free version, but let's be honest -- that stuff tastes, um, not so good. Low Calorie FRS is WAY better. It's an antioxidant health drink that tastes great and comes in THREE fantastic flavors -- Peach Mango, Wild Berry, and Orange. This stuff delivers long-lasting, feel-good, vitamin-packed energy for only 25 calories per 11.5-oz. can. Rock on, FRS!

Love French Fries? Try LesserEvil Krinkle Sticks!

Imagine if the flavor of delicious french fries existed in a crispy on-the-go snack offered up in funky flavors like Cajun Kaboom! and Old School Bar-B-Que. Now imagine that these treats were low in fat and calories. Guess what? THEY EXIST! Krinkle Sticks combine the fantastic look and flavor of krinkle-cut fries with the convenience and nutritionals of a guilt-free chip. UNREAL! An entire cup contains just 110 calories and 2.5 fat grams, and even has 2 grams of fiber! These snacks also come in SourCream & Onion and Classic SeaSalt, but we're lobbying hard for a Ketchup & Fries flavor (if you agree with us, click here to beg the LesserEvil guys to make 'em). Wanna make your own guilt-free fries at home? Whip up a batch of our Bake-tastic Butternut Squash Fries (sooo low in calories, SOOO insanely good!).

Love Chocolate Milk? Try 8th Continent Light Chocolate Soymilk!

What is it about this creamy kid-friendly beverage that we never seem to outgrow the desire for? Soooo creamy... soooo chocolately... soooo LOADED with fatty, sugary calories!?! 8 little ounces typically pack in around 200 calories, 5 fat grams, and 30 grams of sugar. Well, as it turns out, soy is good for more than just providing protein and avoiding dairy. It also delivers an awesome alternative to chocolate milk. 8th Continent Light Chocolate Soymilk is super thick 'n' creamy and full of chocolate flavor (without a lot of fat 'n' calories). An 8-ounce serving has just 90 calories, a gram and a half of fat, and 11g of sugar. Plus it packs in 7 grams of protein, which really is impressive.

Love Bacon? Try Jennie-O Extra Lean Turkey Bacon!

Ooooh, this is a good one. If you ask us, crispy strips of bacon are NOT just for breakfast anymore. They're perfect for sandwiches, on salads, or gobbled up straight (we're hardcore, baby!). But each ounce of bacon contains an alarming 160 calories and 12 grams of fat... and that's BEFORE you pan-fry it oil, which can more than double those stats! While turkey bacon is a decent swap, with around 70 calories and 5 fat grams per ounce, we're happy to report that there's an even better option. The folks at Jennie-O are BRILLIANT. They serve up Extra Lean Turkey Bacon that has only 40 calories and barely 1 gram of fat per two-strip serving (a little more than an ounce). Yowsa! Plus, you can cook up it in a pan with nonstick spray or simply toss in the microwave, and not add any extra fat at all! Use this stuff for burger swaps, decadent b-fasts, bacon melts, BLTs and more! Get some, STAT!

For more tips, tricks, food finds, recipes and more, visit hungry-girl.com and sign up for our FREE daily emails!

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555 Comments

1. Posted by rmazzell on Tue, Sep 18, 2007, 6:18 am PDT

Has anyone tried those brownies? Where can you get them?? The turkey bacon is okay, and I haven't heard about any of the other products.
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2. Posted by Wineaux on Tue, Sep 18, 2007, 7:45 am PDT

I have to know the sodium content of these! Cab anyone help?
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3. Posted by believer033 on Tue, Sep 18, 2007, 9:10 am PDT

I eat this bacon a lot! It's been a great substitute for the regular stuff. Wineaux, the sodium content is 140 mg. Hope this helps.
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4. Posted by jcazmom on Tue, Sep 18, 2007, 10:15 am PDT

Wish you had posted the picture of the package of Vitalicious Vitabrownies so I know what to look for. And where do I look..dairy, baking, cookies?? Would love to try them!!
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5. Posted by Michele on Tue, Sep 18, 2007, 11:13 am PDT

VitaBrownies/Muffins are sold in the freezer section of some mass grocery stores. If you shop at Whole Foods/Wild Oats, they are in the bakery section in their freezer case. I hope this helps :)
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6. Posted by MySnazzySpace on Tue, Sep 18, 2007, 2:41 pm PDT

You can find out which stores have the brownies near you by going to their website: http://www.vitalicious.com/VitaBrownie_info.html
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7. Posted by marclar on Tue, Sep 18, 2007, 2:53 pm PDT

you can see the pics of the vitalicious brownies at the website which is linked above. just click onto the brownie you want to see. the pomegranate dark choc looks fabulous and delicious! vitalicious has posted the "nutrition facts" as well as the ingredients on its website. also, one can place an order by mail directly from vitalicious.
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8. Posted by James H on Tue, Sep 18, 2007, 9:23 pm PDT

My wife has tried the Vitatops in Dark Chocolate and the Golden Corn Vitatops and she says they are delicious. She has also tried the 2 oz. Dark Chocolate Vita Muffins and loves them too. She says they are very reasonably priced and with the specials Hungry Girl offers sometimes you can get free shipping or a discount on your orders. She has ordered three times or more from the Vitatops company by phone and they arrive within three days and you need to put all of them in the freezer but they are freshly made when you order and they taste wonderful when thawed or eaten partially frozen too!! She can't say enough good things about the Vitatops products. They also contain 6 grams of fiber each and are only 100 calories. If you like chocolate cake or chocolate you will love this product. She will continue to order them and since she is writing this comment to post she hopes everyone will try them and see for yourself.
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9. Posted by joni on Wed, Sep 19, 2007, 4:32 am PDT

Has anyone seen the fries in a store, or is the only way to get them is by the web site?
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10. Posted by jwah729 on Wed, Sep 19, 2007, 5:35 am PDT

These all sound yummy!!! I can't wait to make the Butternut squash fries.
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11. Posted by LoRetta Sue on Wed, Sep 19, 2007, 1:14 pm PDT

What about Pizza??? I'm weak with Pizza...
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12. Posted by laughoutloudfun on Wed, Sep 19, 2007, 1:15 pm PDT

try the no pudge fudge sold at trader joe's.NO FAT and sooo delicious
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13. Posted by shannonlaradavis on Wed, Sep 19, 2007, 1:15 pm PDT

addiction to meaningless snacks. they all sound disgusting. this is why 66% of america is so fat. STOP SNACKING!!!
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14. Posted by John on Wed, Sep 19, 2007, 1:15 pm PDT

Does HungryGirl get any financial consideration for her endorsements? It all seems so, I dunno, cozy... Because I've tried many of the products she pushes, and most are poor substitutes for the real thing. The turkey bacon, cooked to a leathery crisp, however, is pretty good, as long as one dresses it up with, say, lettuce and tomato.
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15. Posted by pturner1978 on Wed, Sep 19, 2007, 1:15 pm PDT

YES I CAN EAT MORE
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16. Posted by sporregar on Wed, Sep 19, 2007, 1:16 pm PDT

Sounds like one big advertisement to me. Chose the normal ones and eat in moderation. According to recent studies energy drinks, no matter how low in calories, are bad for you anyway. Make chocolate milk with Skim milk and Hershey's chocolate.
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17. Posted by joejoepet99 on Wed, Sep 19, 2007, 1:16 pm PDT

YEA OK
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18. Posted by yelena m on Wed, Sep 19, 2007, 1:16 pm PDT

Hi everyone, I see some poeple want to know where to get the brownies. So here is the website( it has pics and all): http://vitalicious.com/pom_brownie.html
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19. Posted by dkracke on Wed, Sep 19, 2007, 1:16 pm PDT

Well, I ran my 7 miles today so this girl is going to Cold Stone Creamery for something sweet tonight.
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20. Posted by ktgrl1818 on Wed, Sep 19, 2007, 1:16 pm PDT

you should also try the No-Pudge brownies.they are delish and can b found at most grocery store (they r a pink box). u can make a whole batch in the oven, or make single servings in the microwave.
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21. Posted by sm4evr1 on Wed, Sep 19, 2007, 1:16 pm PDT

i have tried those brownies they are great they also make vita muffins like chocolate with chips i find them at hannafords in my area
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22. Posted by petedmoss on Wed, Sep 19, 2007, 1:17 pm PDT

more useless drivel from the hungry girl. ever consider just eating healthy? then you could still have the occasional goodies and not have to eat processed fake crap like the list above.
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23. Posted by meuhelper on Wed, Sep 19, 2007, 1:17 pm PDT

You can find links for all you need to know on hungrygirl.com Great site!
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24. Posted by crys4143 on Wed, Sep 19, 2007, 1:17 pm PDT

The fries look great!
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25. Posted by Ericka on Wed, Sep 19, 2007, 1:17 pm PDT

I need to find those fries, it's my weakness!
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26. Posted by mkrowland918 on Wed, Sep 19, 2007, 1:17 pm PDT

i hope this stuff is good, where can i get the krinkle fries?
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27. Posted by cwmalw on Wed, Sep 19, 2007, 1:18 pm PDT

Wow, I'm glad I clicked here. I trying to loose some extra so anything helps. Does anyone know if the vitabrownies are sold at walmart?
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28. Posted by vidabear on Wed, Sep 19, 2007, 1:18 pm PDT

that sounds lovley
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29. Posted by Audra G on Wed, Sep 19, 2007, 1:18 pm PDT

Lesser evil doesn't mention what stores they are sold in they only mention how to purchase from their web site. www.lesserevil.com/krinklesticks.html
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30. Posted by ris648 on Wed, Sep 19, 2007, 1:18 pm PDT

I have tried the brownies--they sell them in the regular grocery store--you can either buy them frozen or make then yourself...But Don't believe that they are like brownies---tell yourself they are muffins--I mean obviously they arent going to be as good as brownies..but they are a good substitute---I found mine next to the packaged brownie and cakes...the frozen ones arent as good as baking them yourself.
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