I Can't Believe It's Not Fattening!

March 8, 2010
More a guide to smarter shopping than cooking, the latest from Alexander (The Biggest Loser Cookbook) gives dieters largely healthy options in 150 basic low-calorie recipes. Alexander admits her recipes are geared for convenience, unabashedly utilizing processed foods and artificial ingredients; though she does offer substitutions for organic or all-natural diets, readers will want to pay attention to nutritional information (Mafia's Favorite Turkey Sandwich, for instance, has over 1,600 mg of sodium per serving, while Tequila Cheese Fondue is measured in two-tablespoon serving sizes). Novices and those pressed for time will be pleased to find more assembly than actual cooking: Pigs in Comforters consists of only four ingredients-olive oil spray, low-fat beef hot dogs, biscuit dough and mustard-and Spicy Tuna Salad comes together in seconds using tuna, low-fat mayo and chili sauce. Almost all of her recipes derive their health benefits from the inclusion of low- or reduced-fat store-bought ingredients: Ravio-Sagne, a ravioli-based riff on lasagna, relies on canned sauce, ravioli and low-fat cheese; Cheesy Brown Rice consists of cooked brown rice and Laughing Cow Light Swiss Cheese Squares; Peppermint Brownie "Pizza" consists of fat-free whipped topping spread over a low-fat brownie (made from a box mix).

December 15, 2009
The title of Devin's ("The Biggest Loser Cookbook; The Biggest Loser Family Cookbook") latest work is deceptive"low fat" would have been more accurate than "not fattening." For her 150 recipes, Alexander uses lean meats, egg whites, and light cheeses to reduce the fat, and she provides nutritional information (calories, fat, protein, and cholesterol) for each dish. She also includes such time-saving tips as buying prechopped foods and stocking your pantry with staples. While Devin's ideas aren't new, the popularity of "The Biggest Loser" is sure to create demand. Library marketing.

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