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Healthy eating tips from celebrity chef Corbin Tomaszeski

Chef Corbin Tomaszeski.

Losing weight isn’t easy, but it can be done if you are consistent with following a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and smart food choices.

As the adage goes, “abs are made in the kitchen” – which is why proper nutrition (and lifestyle) habits are key for successful long-term weight loss.

Chef Corbin Tomaszeski knows all about the importance of healthy eating habits, not only in his work as a chef but as an ambassador and successful follower of the Weight Watchers program.

Through his work and by sharing his own personal success through Weight Watchers, Tomaszeski aims to help others maintain a healthy lifestyle while still enjoying the foods they love (like the brownie recipe below!)

Here are his top 10 tips for healthier eating:

1. Be strategic with your grocery shopping schedule. A helpful hint is that Tuesday is often the best day of the week to buy fresh protein.

2. Use a resealable freezer bag to prep smoothie ingredients in advance. This cuts down time in the morning and allows you to get an ice-cold smoothie without the ice.

3. Whole wheat is a great grain choice, and comes in a number of different options like tortilla wraps, English muffins, pizza crust, etc.

4. Tiffins are the new brown bag. Keep your sandwich or salad from getting soggy with a Tiffin carrier, which allows you to keep ingredients separate in different travel compartments right up to lunch.

5. Make salads exciting with fresh squeezed lime, lemon or grapefruit juice instead of an oil-based dressing.

6. Don’t be afraid to use your freezer! Prepare freezable meals in advance to curb to urge to buy ready-made frozen meals.

7. You can mash so much more. Instead of potatoes, consider mashed cauliflower, sweet potato or other great fall options like squash, turnip and beets. Substitute butter, cream or milk with veggie stock, fresh herbs and a bit of olive oil to keep the rich taste.

8. You can cut the sugar in half for dessert recipes without sacrificing the flavour.

9. Adding cocoa powder instead of chocolate will give you that great chocolate taste minus the calories.

10. Don’t purchase pre-cut veggies, but do keep cut veggies in your fridge for snacking. You can help them stay fresh longer with a damp paper towel in a resealable bag or container.

Recipe: Low Fat Brownie

Yields 12 servings

5 PointsPlus ® value

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients

1-1/2 cup flour

¾ -cup cocoa

1-1/2 cup sugar or sweetener*

1 tsp baking powder

4 x egg whites

1 cup plus 3 tbsp unsweetened applesauce

1 tsp vanilla

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray an 8-inch round spring form pan with cooking spray or line with parchment paper. In a mixing bowl combine flour, cocoa, sugar and baking powder. Sift until evenly combined. In a larger bowl whisk the egg whites until frothy, stir in the applesauce and vanilla. Gradually add the flour mixture and stir until well combined. Pour into pan and tap gently to remove air bubbles. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove from heat and cool. Cut into 1/12s and serve as a wedge. Serve with fresh raspberries and mint.

*For artificial sweeteners, follow substitution instructions accordingly