Rocco shared some of the nutrition facts for the four most popular fast-food menu items. Each of the contestants looked completely shocked as they learned what their former bodies were consuming.

• Stuffed Crust Meat Pizza: 490 Calories 27g Fat, 1570mg Sodium (per slice)
• Stuffed Burrito: 1100 Calories, 46g Fat, 2600mg Sodium
• Triple Cheeseburger: 1230 Calories, 82g Fat (110g Fat with fries), 1500mg Sodium
• Fried Chicken, 1 Breast and 1 Drumstick: 460 Calories, 27g Fat, 1300mg Sodium (per CalorieKing.com)

Rocco challenged the contestants to use fresh, lean, wholesome ingredients to recreate these fast-food favorites – but they had to taste good and have low calories and low fat. The teams came up with some inventive suggestions, but Rocco stepped-up and shared his favorite alternative recipes.

• Rocco’s Whole Wheat Pizza: This homemade pizza uses a whole wheat crust, veggie marinara, fresh basil, reduced fat mozzarella and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses. 320 Calories, 7g Fat, 610mg Sodium

• Biggest Loser “Fried” Chicken: Marinate chicken tenders in low fat buttermilk, then roll in whole wheat breadcrumbs and season with cayenne, paprika and black pepper, then bake until crunchy and golden. 270 Calories, 4g Fat, 210mg Sodium

• Beef Burgers and Sweet Potato Fries: The classic American drive-thru meal can still be a favorite when you use lean beef, Ezekial buns, fresh vegetables and herbs. Pair with baked and seasoned sweet potato fries on the side. 270 Calories, 5g Fat, 340mg Sodium

• Turkey Corn Tacos: Ground turkey seasoned with fresh onions, jalapenos, limes and cilantro are served in a toasted corn tortilla alongside black beans, fresh salsa verde and a greek yogurt sauce. 240 Calories, 6g Fat, 65mg Sodium

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

Chef Rocco’s Recipes for Fast-Food Alternatives

Rocco assured them their 10 weeks of hard work would not be in vain, and that they wouldn’t have to put one bite of those traditionally calorie- and fat-laden recipes in their mouths. Instead, he was going to teach them how to make the “healthy alter egos” of these recipes. We have each one of those five recipes to share with you.

Each contestant was assigned a recipe to prepare, to prove that you can have delicious, traditional recipes, but with far more flavor and far less calories and fat.

These five Thanksgiving recipes, created by Chef Rocco, can serve six-to-seven people and in most cases have only five simple steps to follow.

Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey Breast, by Ed
The original had 480 calories; Rocco’s alternative has 190 calories.

Apple Crumble, by Amy C.
The original had 500 calories; Rocco’s healthy alternative has 120 calories.

Turkey Gravy, by Renee
(nutrition facts not available)

Sweet Potato Pie, by Vicky
The original had 350 calories; Rocco’s healthy alternative has 102 calories.

Braised Collard Greens with Red Wine, by Michelle
(nutrition facts not available)

Herb Turkey Sausage Stuffing, by Heba
Original had 400 calories; revised facts not available.

See Rocco’s other Biggest Loser recipes.

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

Chef Rocco’s Thanksgiving Recipes from Biggest Loser

He shared seven recipes, for less than $7/serving, for the seven teams during the Week 2 cooking challenge. Each team offered up their best cooks, and then Rocco asked the non-cooks to follow him to the grocery store and prepare his recipes.

Rocco advised that anyone leading a healthy lifestyle should shop the perimeter of their grocery store. It is there that all the fresh food resides. He explained that the deeper you go into the aisles, you’ll find “more processed, less healthy, more expensive” food items. Who needs that when these recipes taste amazing, will fill you up, and best of all- have low calories, zero fat and zero salt.

Tom’s Curried Turkey and Cauliflower Soup

Heba’s Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad

Amy P.’s Quinoa Pasta with Pesto and Tomatoes

Jerry’s Pork and Vegetable Stir Fry

Amy C.’s Tiny Turkey Meatball with Chickpea Soup

Michelle’s Grilled Chicken with Mango Salsa

Brady’s Mussles Stew

Enjoy this clip of Chef Rocco working with the contestants- you didn’t see this last night!

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Post from: Diets in Review Blog

Chef Rocco Creates 7 Recipes for Biggest Loser