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Wednesday’s Label Review: Healthy Dinner Resolutions

Over the past few weeks we’ve been discussing how to make (or buy) a healthier lunch.  This week I thought we could focus on dinner.  More and more often Americans are gathering around the dinner table to eat healthier foods, according to a national survey recently released by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and Prevention magazine. The study found a strong correlation between consumers who try the hardest to eat healthfully and those who eat dinner at home nearly every day.

 

According to the study, 70% believe the food they eat at home is healthier than meals consumed outside the home. More than nine in 10 consumers prepare at least one home-cooked dinner from scratch every week, and two-thirds do it almost daily.

 

The tricky part of meal planning is keeping it both quick and healthy. Below is a meal makeover for Beef Stroganoff with Portobello Mushrooms. Check out the labels below that compare a traditional beef stroganoff recipe to this healthier version. The Portobello mushrooms are meaty and therefore make the meal more filling without all the calories. Instead of using a heavy cream sauce, the recipe calls for reduced-fat sour cream. Also choose to make it with flank steak, which is a leaner piece of meat. The trick is to cut it into thin strips to cook it quickly and keep it tender.

 

This is just one example of how you can enjoy a healthier dinner with a quick and dinner recipe.  You can give many of your favorite comfort foods a healthy makeover by substituting lower fat items (such as low-fat sour cream) for high fat foods or vegetables for a portion of the meat.

 

Beef Stroganoff & Portobello Mushrooms (from EatingWell.com)

Serving Size: 1.5 cups/Makes 4 servings

 

 

Ingredients

Directions

2 teaspoons plus 1 tablespoon canola oil, divided
1 pound flank steak, trimmed
4 large portobello mushrooms, stemmed, halved and thinly sliced
1 large onion, sliced
3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 14-ounce can reduced-sodium beef broth
2 tablespoons cognac or brandy
1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
4 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or parsley

 

1.   Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large skillet over high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add steak and cook until browned on both sides, 3 to 4 minutes per side. (The meat will be rare, but will continue to cook as it rests.) Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes. Cut lengthwise into 2 long pieces then crosswise, across the grain, into 1/4-inch-thick slices.

 

2.   Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in the pan over medium heat. Add mushrooms, onion, thyme, salt and pepper and cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are very tender and lightly browned, 8 to 12 minutes. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables; stir to coat. Stir in broth, cognac (or brandy) and vinegar and bring to a boil, stirring often. Reduce heat to a simmer, and continue cooking, stirring often, until the mixture is thickened, about 3 minutes. Stir in sour cream, chives (or parsley), the sliced steak and any accumulated juices. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring, until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes more.

 
 

                                            

 

Rebecca

Rebecca 

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About rmohning

Rebecca Mohning M.S., R.D., L.D. is a registered dietitian and a certified personal trainer. She received her Bachelor’s degree in dietetics and her graduate degree in exercise and sports science from Iowa State University. She also has a personal training certification from the American College of Sports Medicine. Rebecca currently has her own private nutrition and fitness consulting business is the Washington DC area.

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