Save Calories on Summer Sweets

Posted Wed, Jul 02, 2008, 10:41 am PDT

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Don't be fooled -- just because there's fruit in the title doesn't make something a guilt-free treat (we're glaring at you, Strawberry Shortcake!). Check out Hungry Girl's shockers and guilt-free alternatives...

Johnny Rockets' Apple Pie a la Mode
(1,190 calories, 75g fat, 875mg sodium, 114g carbs, 6g fiber, 108g sugars, 12g protein)

An apple pie a day does NOT keep the doctor away. After downing this dessert, you may actually have to schedule a visit because of weight gain and heart trouble. And those alarming stats are only for ONE slice of the decadent dessert with a single scoop of ice cream. Instead, try Amy's Apple Pie, found in the freezer aisle. One serving (half the mini pie) has 230 calories and 8g fat. Add a half-cup scoop of fat-free ice cream, and your treat will top out at around 315 calories. Yum!

Jamba Juice's Mango-a-go-go Smoothie (Original Size)
(470 calories, 2g fat, 55mg sodium, 110g carbs, 4g fiber, 100g sugars, 3g protein)

Sure, you're getting 120% the DV of vitamin C, but at what cost?!? Most smoothies boast similar stats -- JJ's Banana Berry smoothie (original size) has 450 calories and 106g carbs. Sugar city! Great-tasting, low-cal smoothies are easy to make on your own. There's a fantastic recipe in the HG cookbook for a blueberry mango smoothie (that's it pictured below!) with just 165 calories. Check it out!

Strawberry Shortcake (w/ Ice Cream)
(Average: 561 calories, 25g fat, 440mg sodium, 81g carbs, 2g fiber, 50g sugars, 6g protein)

The only thing short will be your temper after finding out the deep dark secrets hidden in this cutely named dessert. It's not the first part of its name that packs a fatty punch -- it's the last. That cake is usually buttery or doughy and topped with a gluttonous mountain of whipped cream, strawberry syrup, and quite often (yikes!) ice cream. Berry scary! But fear not. Your pals at Hungry Girl have created a delicious alternative (seen below in all its beauty!) with only 190 calories and 2g fat. The baking time and the taste? That would be short 'n' sweet! We've got your back...

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20 Comments

1. Posted by ofabinson on Wed, Jul 02, 2008, 10:24 pm PDT

The strawberry shortcake may be pretty good for diabetics. I'll try it.
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2. Posted by Savannah H on Thu, Jul 03, 2008, 8:02 am PDT

That strawberry thing looks GOOD
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3. Posted by sarrz29 on Thu, Jul 03, 2008, 10:46 am PDT

pretty much an advertisement for HG.. and we cant even buy any of it because its sold like no where..
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4. Posted by tuzer@sbcglobal.net on Thu, Jul 03, 2008, 2:04 pm PDT

Amy's brand can be found in a few places. I've seen it at Albertson's, Henry's and i'm sure you can find it at Whole Foods or similar grocey stores. Weight Watchers suggests to use Angel food cake instead of pound cake. ;-)
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5. Posted by Tammy M on Mon, Jul 07, 2008, 7:04 am PDT

I need very low carb deserts any ideal
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6. Posted by Lauren D on Tue, Jul 08, 2008, 5:15 am PDT

sarrz - you can't find the stuff anywhere? You must not look very hard. All the ingredients for her short cake are readily available in my normal old boring grocery store. And as someone else said, Amy's brand items are found in the natural/health food section, or at an actual naturaly/healthy food store such as whole foods. It is a popular brand, I love the tomato soup (in a can).
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7. Posted by Kymmy on Tue, Jul 08, 2008, 4:28 pm PDT

Kroger carries Amy's Brand, Tom Thumb as well if you have them in your area. Some Walmarts carry them. They are great, however they are pricey.
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8. Posted by madarose22 on Sat, Jul 12, 2008, 7:20 pm PDT

i think they all look good
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9. Posted by partylikear0ckstar_08 on Sat, Jul 12, 2008, 7:23 pm PDT

hehe, Mango-A-Go-Go is my faveee. i ALWAYS order that.
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10. Posted by Belle on Sat, Jul 12, 2008, 7:33 pm PDT

Most of these desserts can be made for less calories just simply by subsituting their light counterparts. I make strawberry shortcake all the time with angel food cake, strawberries sweetened naturally no sugar/splenda/artificial sweetener added. My fat grams come from the Cool Whip. I refuse to use their fat free version. It's gross. I'd rather have the few fat grams there. I also use light ice cream. Dryers'/Eddie's Slow Churned is soo good. Tastes like the real deal too. Just use common sense when you go out too & you'll be fine.
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11. Posted by Retta on Sat, Jul 12, 2008, 10:16 pm PDT

are you kidding? the alternatives are still HORRIBLE for sugars! the substitute for apple pie has 15g of sugar, the smoothie has 31g of sugar!!! and the strawberry shortcake? that ice cream may be fat free but still has...you guessed it SUGAR! sugar ends up as fat even if you're not diabetic! and that's just the ice cream...look at the label on the cake part. honestly, this whole HG thing is bullsh*t!
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12. Posted by cla4567 on Sun, Jul 13, 2008, 5:47 am PDT

these desserts aren't very low in calories
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13. Posted by ??? ? on Sun, Jul 13, 2008, 7:23 am PDT

well it might have sugar but u can substitute it if u like.. not that difficult if u just go in the kitchen and make it yourself in the first place... and anyways most this stuff has less sugar than in a can of pop... -_-
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14. Posted by panda6617 on Sun, Jul 13, 2008, 7:33 am PDT

WOW, that apple pie looks REALY good!yummy...
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15. Posted by richierich310 on Sun, Jul 13, 2008, 7:38 am PDT

561 calories not that good
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16. Posted by Sara O on Sun, Jul 13, 2008, 8:07 am PDT

Sure, it might be low-fat and low-calorie, but I bet it's still loaded with a ton of sugar. So really, it's all the same.
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17. Posted by lmansf on Sun, Jul 13, 2008, 8:17 am PDT

I just ordered the HG cookbook for myself and a friend thru Walmart online and what a deal! I highly recommend it as it is the cheapest around and convenient as well. Well worth the few bucks for shipping. I love getting my HG emails and the ideas/suggestions that go along. I've forwarded the info on to many friends who use it as well. Thanks!
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18. Posted by erubin50 on Tue, Jul 15, 2008, 8:54 am PDT

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll definitely try the jamba juice one. When it comes to summer, ice cream is on my short list of must haves. And I'm always watching what I put into my body so I had to find an ice cream that didn't make me feel guilty afterwards. Thank god I found Laloo's Goat Milk Ice Cream. It has half the fat and calorie content as your typical cow milk ice cream and if you ask me, it tastes better - Maybe because I know its not going to go straight to my belly. ;) Check out the flavors! http://www.goatmilkicecream.com/flavors.php p.s. I think there is a $1off coupon somewhere on the site.
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19. Posted by amoraug27 on Tue, Jul 15, 2008, 12:58 pm PDT

i'm tryin this carb diet now what exactly is gonna make me lose weight i need to lose 15-20 pds by august now is this carb diet work or not
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20. Posted by thebobcatreturns on Thu, Jul 17, 2008, 12:09 pm PDT

Oh noes, calories. Come ON people. Learn to control your portion sizes and you can eat whatever you want! For someone to make a big deal about apple pie - and to suggest you'd need a doctor's visit afterwards, even in jest, is MORONIC. If you're a dieter, you already know what you can and can't do to yourself. Portion control. That's the ticket.
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