Day 47: Fiber One Fabulosity!

For a healthy diet, you need to consume anywhere from 20 to 35 grams of Fiber each day. So why not have a little fun with it?

These two recipes, both from Hungry Girl, are absolutely fantastic and fiber packed. I think you'll really enjoy them.

Note: It's important not to overdo it when you're eating fiber-filled foods. Eating too much fiber can result in a yucky tummy.

Fiber One Mozzarella Sticks

Makes 1 Serving

Ingredients:

2 pcs. light mozzarella string cheese

1/4c. Fiber One bran cereal (original)

2 Tbsp. fat-free liquid egg substitute (like Egg Beaters)

Salt, black pepper, and Italian seasonings, to taste

Optional: low-fat marinara sauce (Great Value brand tastes fantastic)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375.

In a food processor, grind Fiber One to a crumbly consistency (like breadcrumbs). Place crumbs in a Ziploc baggie or Tupperware container. Add your seasonings to the Fiber One crumbs. Set the crumb mixture aside.

Cut both pieces of string cheese in half, giving you 4 sticks. Pour the Egg Beaters into a small bowl and dip the cheese sticks in. Remove cheese sticks from the egg and shake them to remove any excess egg substitute. Transfer sticks to the crumb mixture and seal the bag. Shake the bag to coat sticks in the seasoned crumbs.

Remove the cheese sticks from the crumbs and return them to the egg substitute to coat again. Then place them back in the baggie and cover with crumbs.

Place the sticks on a baking sheet covered with nonstick spray. Spritz the tops of the cheese sticks with the nonstick spray as well.

Bake for 10 minutes, or until the first sign of cheese oozing out. Serve with marinara sauce.

Nutritional Info (for entire recipe):

155 Calories

5.5g Fat

500mg Sodium

13.5g Carbs

7g Fiber

0g Sugars

19g Protein

Points Value: 3!

Faux-Fried Zucchini

Makes 3 Servings

Ingredients:

2 large zucchini, ends removed

3/4c. Fiber One bran cereal (original)

1/4c. fat-free liquid egg substitute

1 Tbsp. dry ranch dressing/dip mix

1/4 tsp. plus 1 dash garlic powder

1/4 tsp. plus 1 dash onion powder

1/4 tsp. plus 1 dash oregano

salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350.

Place Fiber One in a blender along with ranch mix and 1/4 tsp. each of garlic powder, onion powder and oregano. Add a dash of salt and pepper. Grind to a breadcrumb-like consistency. Transfer to a medium bowl.

In another medium bowl, combine egg substitute with a dash each of garlic powder, onion powder, oregano and salt and pepper. Stir thoroughly.

Cut zucchini into 1/2-inch wide circles. Blot away any excess moisture with a paper towel.

Spray a large baking sheet with nonstick spray. Toss zucchini in egg substitute until evenly covered. Remove them one by one, shaking off excess egg substitute. Coat the zucchini with the breadcrumbs and lay them on the baking sheet.

Bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Carefully flip the zucchini slices over. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the outsides are crispy and zucchini is cooked through.

Nutritional Info (per 1/3 of recipe):

Calories: 78

Fat: 0.5g

Sodium: 578mg

Carbs: 20g

Fiber: 9g

Sugars: 4g

Protein: 5g

Points Value: 1!!