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Devin Alexander
Media Personality, Healthy Comfort Food Chef, Weight Loss Expert, and New York Times Bestselling Author, who has kept off 70 pounds for close to 30 years
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“You Won’t Really Die Crockpot Chili” a.k.a. Devinly Chili

Save or print as PDF Add the onions back to the pan. Stir in the crushed and diced tomatoes, chili … Read More

“Kevin’s Keep Your Girl Lava Fries” a.k.a. Garlic Squash “Fries”

Save or Print as PDF Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a large baking sheet with nonstick foil. Lightly mist … Read More

“Can’t Forget Jack’s Birthday Banana Muffins” a.k.a Devinly Whipped Topping

Save or print as PDF Cook’s Notes: Note that this recipe could yield as many as 8 cups. With a … Read More

“Kate’s New Favorite Ice Cream” a.k.a. Truer Love in A Bowl

Kate revealed her special bond with her dad was over ice cream! Save or print as PDF Break the bananas … Read More

“No Lemon So Sour Sober Lemonade”

Jack always said that there’s no lemon so sour you can’t make lemonade, making it the perfect drink for our … Read More

Coffee Toffee Granita

Make sure you use a bold coffee to yield the best results in this recipe. Brew is very strong (stronger … Read More

Bacon Ranch Flatbread Pizza

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet (large enough to fit the flatbread so that it lays flat) … Read More

Summer California Breakfast Sandwich

Place a medium nonstick frying pan over medium high heat. When the pan is hot, remove from heat just long … Read More

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Add the pumpkin, egg whites, tofu, vanilla extract, maple extract, sweetener, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and ice cubes to the … Read More

Happy Tummy Greens Juice

Parsley and ginger are known to settle a sick stomach and to help keep a healthy stomach in good shape. … Read More

Watermelon Cupcakes with Devinly Whipped Topping

This recipe is a MUST for those warm summer nights Make this recipe for people who don’t think they like … Read More

Devinly Whipped Topping

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum 3/4 cup light agave nectar SERVES: 96 • SERVING SIZE: 1 … Read More

Buffalo Shrimp

Instead of buffalo wings, I love buffalo shrimp at times. The shrimp is great because it’s nice and meaty, yet … Read More

Dan Dan Mian

Summary Recipe NameBuffalo Shrimp Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2018-04-12

Feature: Inspire Health

May/June issue feature: Read here!

Feature: Luxurious Magazine

Luxurious Magazine feature: Click to read!

Parmesan Garlic Squash “Fries”

Make this recipe for people who don’t think they like squash, just don’t tell them that these are squash fries. … Read More

Waffle Fry BBQ Bites

12 (about 4 1/2 ounces) sweet potato waffle fries (preferably natural) 12 tablespoons BBQ Beef (see below), reheated if necessary … Read More

Sweet & Spicy Pomegranate Pork Tenderloin

Summary Recipe NameSweet and Spicy Pomegranate Pork Tenderloin Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2018-02-14

Lean & Loaded Nachos

Summary Recipe NameLean & Loaded Nachos Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2018-01-24

Jiggle-No-More Gingerbread Truffles

Summary Recipe Namehttps://devinalexander.com/jiggle-no-gingerbread-truffles/ Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2017-12-22

Passionila Cocktail

Summary Recipe NamePasionila Cocktail Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2017-12-21

Grilled Turkey Cutlets with Cranberry Honey Mustard Sauce

Summary Recipe NameGrilled Turkey Cutlets with Cranberry Honey Mustard Sauce Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2017-12-20

Gingerbread Overnight Oats

Summary Recipe NameGingerbread Overnight Oats Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2017-12-18

Sweet Potato Pancakes

Summary Recipe NameSweet Potato Pancakes Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2017-12-15

Bacon-Wrapped Figs

Summary Recipe NameBacon-Wrapped Figs Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2017-12-14

Run, Don’t Walk, Rum Balls

Summary Recipe NameRun, Don’t Walk, Rum Balls Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2017-12-13

Crab Stuffed Shrimp

Summary Recipe NameCrab Stuffed Shrimp Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2017-12-12

Banana Coconut Mini Muffins

Summary Recipe NameBanana Coconut Mini Muffins Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2017-11-21

Kale Raspberry Mango Green Juice

Summary Recipe NameKale Raspberry Mango Green Juice Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2017-11-17

Dark Chocolate Mint Smoothie

Summary Recipe NameDark Chocolate Mint Smoothie Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2017-11-13

Apple Ginger Greens Juice

Summary Recipe NameApple Ginger Greens Juice Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2017-11-10

Passionfruit Green Juice

Summary Recipe NamePassionfruit Green Juice Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2017-11-06

Greenacolada Smoothie

Summary Recipe NameGreenacolada Smoothie Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2017-11-03

Chocolate Topped Peanut Butter Crispy Treats

Summary Recipe NameVegan Chocolate Topped Peanut Butter Crispy Treats Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2017-10-09

Mediterranean Hot and Cold Brown Rice Salad

Summary Recipe NameMediterranean Hot and Cold Brown Rice Salad Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2017-10-02

Curry Chicken Pocket

Summary Recipe NameCurry Chicken Pocket Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2017-09-25

Antipasto Chopped Salad

Summary Recipe NameAntipasto Chopped Salad Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2017-09-22

Party Sushi

Summary Recipe NameParty Sushi Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2017-09-18

Balsamic Drizzled Baby Kale Salad with Peaches Feta and Almonds

Summary Recipe NameBalsamic Drizzled Baby Kale Salad with Peaches Feta and Almonds Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2017-09-11

Five-Minute Supreme Breakfast Nachos

Summary Recipe NameFive-Minute Supreme Breakfast Nachos Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2017-09-08

Buffalo Blue Cheese Burger

Summary Recipe NameBuffalo Blue Cheese Burger Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2017-09-01

Colorful Coleslaw

Summary Recipe NameColorful Coleslaw Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2017-08-28

Blueberry Shortcakes To Go

Summary Recipe NameBlueberry Shortcakes To Go Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2017-08-25

Drippin’ Kickin’ Burger

Summary Recipe NameDrippin' Kickin' Burger Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2017-08-21

Naked Apple Tart

Summary Recipe NameNaked Apple Tart Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2017-08-11

Chinese Pepper Steak

Summary Recipe NameChinese Pepper Steak Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2017-08-07

Vanilla, Chocolate, and Strawberry Breakfast Sundae

Summary Recipe NameVanilla, Chocolate, and Strawberry Breakfast Sundae Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2017-07-28

3 Ingredient Meatloaf

Summary Recipe Name3 Ingredient Meatloaf Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2017-07-24

Warm Brie Chicken Sandwich

301 calories | I can’t count the number of people who have said to me, “My problem is that I love meats and cheeses.” And I always reassure them that this isn’t actually a problem, even if they’re committed to a healthy lifestyle, especially when it comes to meats. I’ve put in a lot of time over the past twenty years…

Sesame Peppercorn Crusted Salmon

252 calories | 1 tablespoons black or white sesame seeds, or a combination (black look really stylish)
1/2 tablespoon black, white, pink or green crushed peppercorns, or a combination
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (or more if you don’t have a date)
pinch of salt
2 4-ounce skinless salmon filets
1 whole lemon cut into…

Banana Colada Smoothie

209 calories | I’m a big fan of the piña colada, as is my mother. I started ordering virgins when I was a little kid, following my mother’s example. Little did I know in my youth that they are full of heavy cream and other potentially hip-expanding ingredients. This is one of my adult tributes to them. It’s a great…

Sunrise Green Juice

135 calories | 1/2 small cucumber cut into large pieces
1-1/2 cups 100% orange juice not from concentrate
A couple of large handfuls fresh spinach leaves
4 stalks celery trimmed and cut into 4 pieces
2 cups fresh parsley leaves, torn (a bit of stem can remain)

Potato Chip-Crusted Chicken

206 calories | People often ask how I come up with my recipes, and I often say, “Trial and error and error and error.” And it’s true. Sometimes I get lucky and a dish comes together immediately. But more often, it takes attempt after attempt to get a recipe right. This dish is an example. I set out to make the recipes…

BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger

334 calories | The barbecue bacon cheeseburger is usually a guilty pleasure. Here, I’ve combined these favorite flavors in a reasonable-sized burger that’s even more scrumptious because the ingredients are fresh and guilt free. Please, though, don’t cheat when buying the beef. Some people think that buying 93%…

Chocolate Raspberry Dessert Pizza

220 calories | I often host parties to watch my favorite TV shows — friends love it when I invite them over on The Biggest Loser night and make Biggest Loser fare. This pizza is a popular ending to the evening. I prepare them as the weigh-ins take places, and they usually vanish before the eliminated contestant is even…

Expect More Coconut Macaroons

86 calories

Buffalo Shrimp Stir Fry

541 calories | olive oil spray
1/2 cup snap peas trimmed*
1 medium carrot peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds
garlic powder to taste
6 oz large peeled raw shrimp (ideally 16-20 count)
1/2 cup grape or cherry tomatoes
3 Tbsps hot wing sauce divided (preferably a natural one)
3/4 cup cooked brown rice…

Quick & Elegant Strawberry Blueberry Trifle

89 calories | 4 cups de-stemmed and quartered strawberries
6 ounce container blueberries
13 ounce angel food cake (you’ll have about 1/4 of the cake leftover)
4 cups Devinly Whipped Topping, Cut the Crap Whipped Topping of another natural, light whipped topping

Sidewalk Bistro Prosciutto Breakfast Sandwich

210 calories | Fresh ground pepper, to taste
olive oil spray
3 large egg whites
1/2 English muffin whole grain or GF, preferably natural
1 slice light provolone cheese, 1/2 ounce
3/4 ounce arugula leaves, coarse stems removed

Arugula Sweet Cherry Goat Cheese California Walnut Salad

240 calories | 3 cups arugula leaves loosely packed, coarse stems removed
8 fresh cherries, pitted and halved
3/4 ounce crumbled goat cheese (about 3 tablespoons)
2 tablespoons chopped California Walnuts
1 tablespoon light champagne vinaigrette, or more to taste
Sea salt and fresh black pepper, optional

Chili Garlic & Basil Chicken Stir Fry

518 calories | First ran in Men’s Fitness

Mediterranean Layer Dip with Toasted Pita Triangles

100 calories | 1 cup garlic flavored hummus
1/2 cup plain non-fat yogurt
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon finely chopped mint
1-1/3 cups finely chopped, seeded cucumbers
1-1/3 cups finely chopped, seeded Roma tomatos
pinch salt
1 teaspoon fresh-squeezed lemon juice
3 ounces reduced-fat feta cheese…

Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

56 calories | It’s no secret that I was a yo-yo dieter for years before I became a “weight-loss success story”. I always joked that I was so creative with food that I could turn anything “good” into something “bad”. When I first started making these chocolate peanut butter balls using a slightly different recipe…

Devin’s Eggs

209 calories | Every time we had overnight guests when I was growing up, my mom served a dish called Jenny’s Eggs. It was from a recipe she had gotten from my aunt JoAnne for what was basically a crustless quiche. It had a pound of cheese, at least a stick or two of butter, tons of whole eggs, and plenty of ham…

Cinnamon Sugar Easter Eggs and Rabbits

61 calories | Be sure to buy eggroll wrappers—the ones that are bigger than wonton skins to make these triangles. These are an awesome treat for Easter since they’re simple and fun and so low in calories. Heck, they’re a tiny fraction of the calories you’d consume eating frosted holiday cookies.

Spaghetti and Meatballs

398 calories | Be sure to finely mince the onion as there is a lot of it in this recipe and you don’t want to bite down on a big chunk. Do this by hand–never chop onions in a food processor, as the extreme overcutting that can’t help but occur makes onions taste sour. I like to buy a fresh chunk of Parmesan cheese…

Cole Slaw with Orange Cilantro Vinaigrette

83 calories | I’ve always been such a fan of coleslaw that I’ve made many varieties. With this recipe I wanted to create a new, more exotic one. I tried various ingredients before I struck upon the combo with orange and cilantro. I personally thought it could use even a bit more cilantro, but my test kitchen team…

Black Team’s Slimmer Summer Slaw with Pork Medallions

238 calories | When I visited the Season 12 Biggest Losers for a cooking challenge, I have to admit I was impressed. The stakes were high: Each team had just 30 minutes to create a healthy, low-calorie, delicious entree worthy of making it into [The Biggest Loser Quick and Easy Cookbook]. The winners not only got their…

Japanese Cucumber Salad

60 calories | Scraping out the seeds from the cucumber is a very important step because it keeps this salad from becoming watery. Another important step in preparing this simple yet refreshing salad is to allow the flavors to meld overnight in the fridge — it makes all the difference in the overall taste.

“Fried” Mushroom Parmesan Bake

62 calories | 16 ounces button mushrooms cleaned and stems removed
1/2 cup all-natural marinara sauce (preferably low-fat, low-salt, no sugar added; I used Monte Bene Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce)
1/2 tsp dried oregano leaves
1 tsp garlic powder
1 ounce almond mozzarella cheese finely shredded (I used Lisanatti)…

No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake with Candied Pecans

110 calories | The pumpkin craze has clearly kicked into high gear with pumpkin spiced lattes and pumpkin scones aplenty. I say embrace the trend!…in a Devinly manner 🙂 These adorable no-bake pumpkin cheesecakes have 110 calories and 4.5g of fat (while a popular pumpkin scone has a whopping 460 calories and 21g…

Do you think kids would actually love my Bearymelon Cookies?

Watch what happens when two of my favorite little girls make them…and try them! Do you have any tricks for … Read More

Arby’s Curly Fries

235 calories | When I was a kid, I would have eaten any food that was curly—curly fries, chocolate curls, curled carrots, even green onion curls and fusilli (spiral pasta). Maybe the appeal had something to do with the fact that I would have done anything for naturally curly hair. Perhaps I had curl envy and acted it…

Dark Chocolate Layer Cake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

294 calories | When my first cookbook, Fast Food Fix, came out, reporters were constantly trying to get me to admin that I still have a secret fast-food longing. They would say, “Come on, you must cheat from time to time with the real deal.” But the truth was that I just didn’t and I still don’t. Once I re-created…

Bearymelon “Cookies”

22 calories | Let’s face it, kids (big and small) love cookies. By calling these adorable slices of watermelon “cookies” and decorating them a bit, your kids and their friends are a lot more likely to accept them as an after-school snack. Heck, it’s possible word will even get out that you’re the cool mom, dad, aunt…

Pizza Hut: Pork Topping

89 calories

Pizza Hut: Beef Topping

124 calories

Pizza Hut: Pizza Sauce

157 calories

Pizza Hut: Pizza Dough

270 calories

Punched-Up Pina Colada

219 calories | Most cocktails contain a lot of calories and empty carbohydrates. Here I’ve replaced calorie-dense coconut creme with light coconut milk, and used frozen pineapple chunks and dried egg whites to thicken the drink. The frozen pineapple retains more nutrients than the sugar-sweetened pineapple juice…

Smoky Salmon

172 calories | 1/2 tsp olive oil extra virgin
2-4 oz salmon filets skinless
sea salt and pepper to taste
1 wooden grill plank any variety; soaked in water for at least 1 hour

Tiny Tacos

202 calories | These miniaturized versions of tacos are one of my all-time favorite, kid-friendly snacks. When Frito-Lay introduced Baked! Scoops, I was so excited that I instantly went to work on creating dishes to fill these little morsels. I just find them so festive. When I conjured these tacos…

Sinless Yet Sinful Sticky Buns Sticky Topping

Summary Recipe NameSticky Topping for Sinless Yet Sinful Sticky Buns Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2016-02-25

Sinless Yet Sinful Sticky Buns Cinnamon Filling

Summary Recipe NameCinnamon Filling for Sinless Yet Sinful Sticky Buns Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2016-02-25

Sinless Yet Sinful Sticky Buns

Summary Recipe NameSinless Yet Sinful Sticky Buns Author NameDevin AlexanderPublished On 2016-02-25

Chocolate Chip Pancakes

209 calories | Aaah, chocolate for breakfast, what could be more heavenly? On of my downfalls has always been warm chocolate chip cookies. I just love those slightly melty chips! This recipe is my solution to that chocolate chip craving, guilt-free. These pancakes are chock full of chocolate chips, so I actually prefer…

Hearty Chipotle Chili

180 calories | olive oil spray
20 oz extra lean (99% lean) ground turkey breast
1 small red onion coarsely chopped
28 oz can crushed tomatoes
14.5 oz can diced tomatoes (drained)
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder…

Ep. 34: How to Seed a Tomato | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Ep. 32: Chef Secret for Restaurant Quality Fajitas | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Ep. 31: What’s In Your Sushi Might Be Sabotaging You! | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Ep. 30: Easy Decorative Mushroom Rose Tutorial | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Ep. 29: Chef Secret You May Be Missing for Perfectly Orchestrated Meals | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Ep. 28: Cracking Walnuts without a Nutcracker | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Ep. 27: Quick Full-Flavor Time Saver for Cooking with Garlic | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Ep. 26: Real Bacon ISN’T Off Limits! | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Ep. 25: Food Styling Trick for Instagram-Worthy Plating | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Ep. 24: Easy Date Night Salmon Recipe | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Ep. 23: What You Don’t Know About Sweet Potatoes! | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Ep. 22: Easy as Can Be Pot Roast Supper | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Ep. 21: Dorking Out Over a NEW Kitchen Find For Portion Control | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Ep. 20: Is Turkey and Chicken Sausage Making You FAT? | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Ep. 19: How To Keep Your Nonstick Pans From Getting Gunked Up! | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Ep. 18: Restaurant Shocker: How Steamed Veggies Could Be Making You FAT! | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Ep. 17: Why Your Favorite “Healthy” Snack Could Be Making You FAT! | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Ep. 16: Don’t Burn Your House Down With This Common Kitchen Mistake | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Ep. 15: Important Secret to Portion Controlling You May Be Missing | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Ep. 14: Chef Devin’s New Favorite Cream Cheese Substitute! | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Ep. 13: Your Favorite Vinegar Might Be Making You FAT! | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Ep. 12: Chef Secret for Using Rosemary | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Ep. 11: Super Quick Tip to Avoid Buying Cracked Eggs | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Black Forrest Smoothie

405 calories | 1.5 cups frozen cherries
1 cup spinach leaves packed
1 cup unsweetened vanilla or chocolate almond milk
2 scoops chocolate egg-white or whey protein powder

Ep. 10: What’s In Your Fave Tea Bag Might Shock You! | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Ep.9: Kitchen Knives 101 | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Hawaiian Pork Stir Fry

403 calories | 6 oz pork tenderloin cut into strips
a few pinches Chinese Five Spice powder
salt to taste
1.5 cups red cabbage slivered
olive oil spray
1/2 cup red bell pepper sliced
1/2 cup red onion sliced
1 tsp fresh garlic minced
1 cup pineapple cubed
2 tbsp teriyaki glaze *FIND A TERIYAKI GLAZE THAT HAS AS FEW…

Ep. 8: Storing Peaches 101 | #FoodTipsYouCrave

French Toast with Sauteed Bananas

202 calories | 1 medium banana (just firmly ripe or very slightly under ripe so the slices will hold their shape)
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon fresh-squeezed lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons light unsalted butter

Ep. 7: Simple Kitchen Hack to Make Using Plastic Wrap Easy | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Ep. 6: DIY Ground Chicken Breast in Seconds (& Why) | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Ep. 5: Restaurant Shocker: They Make Your Veggies Unhealthy | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Ep.4: Your Marinara Sauce Could Be Making You FAT! | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Ep.3: 5 Minute Dinner – South-of-The-Border Loaded Sweet Potato | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Ep. 2: How To Pound a Chicken Breast (& Why) | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Ep. 1: Never Line Your Oven with Foil – Shocker! | #FoodTipsYouCrave

Party Chicken Kebabs

160 calories | Every year, I go out on my friend Chris’s boat for the Fourth of July. He always says that he’ll supply the boat if I supply the food and the cute girls. No problem: It’s not like there’s ever a shortage of cute girls in L.A. or a shortage of food around me. I pack up tons of healthy appetizers…

Peppered Turkey & Egg Breakfast Sandwich

205 calories | If you time it well, just place the cheese between the hot muffin and the hot egg and it will melt. If you don’t you can wrap the sandwich in a paper towel and microwave it for 15-30 seconds on low heat and melt the cheese completely. Just be careful not to over microwave it or the muffin will become…

Buffalo Chicken Blue Cheese Meat Loaf

263 calories | I don’t think a single season of The Biggest Loser has gone by without some of the contestants complaining that they miss their chicken wings. At first I created a lighter buffalo wing plate with the typical wings, carrot sticks, celery sticks, and blue cheese dressing — just like you’d get at the local…

Mostly Mom’s Marinara Sauce

55 calories | Most people have their family-favorite marinara sauce—the one you grew up with. In my house, I had my grandmother Nan’s sauce that we ate at holidays and when she visited. And then I had my mother’s, which I also very much looked forward to. This version is very similar to my mom’s and evokes happy childhood…

Skinny-Mini Cherry-Topped Cheesecakes

99 calories | This was going to be a recipe for mini-lemon cheesecakes. But when I was making them, my friend Chris popped by and saw the box of vanilla wafers and the cream cheese and said, “No way. Are you making those cherry cheesecakes? My mom used to make them.” Then I remembered that my mom used to make them, too…

Chocolate Not Only In Your Dreams Cake

101 calories | I dreamed about eating a cake like this for years (both in my sleep and just rapid-fire thoughts during the day). I’m serious. I’m one of those “There’s no such thing as chocolate cake that’s too rich” types. I was dieting, but I would have to “cheat” with chocolate from time to time just to keep my…

BBQ Bacon Meatloaf

258 calories | Bread crumbs are traditionally used in meat loaf and meatballs to add moisture to the finished dish and, sometimes, even to add bulk to stretch the meat for your dollar. I often use oatmeal instead as it will do the trick to create moist and delicious dishes while adding fiber—it’s not just a bunch of…

“Cut the Crap” Whipped Topping

8 calories | Devin’s Note: It’s important to use this topping within about 1 day or to freeze any excess. After a day in the refrigerator, it begins to separate. In the freezer, it will stay as made for weeks and never gets hard so it’s great for topping anything, as the cravings hit. Though you may be tempted…

Pumped-Up Pumpkin Pie Bites

94 calories | These delicious little bites are real crowd-pleasers and are the perfect size for individual servings at a buffet table (instead of asking your guests to cut their own wedge of pie!).

Better Blueberry Pancakes

140 calories | If you’re as big a fan of these pancakes as my brunching buddies and I are, rest assured that you can double, triple, and even quadruple this recipe with great success. In addition, the batter will keep in your refrigerator for up to 3 days. I personally like to mix the batter fresh and enjoy the pancakes…

Chocolate Fudge Sauce

45 calories | I consider this recipe more necessary than almost any other in this book. Everyone who knows me knows that even though I’ve lost more than 55 pounds and maintained that loss for close to 20 years, I eat chocolate every day! This is my new favorite way to satisfy my chocolate cravings—an all-natural topper that contains only 45 calories per serving.

Chocolate Glazed Soft Pretzel Bites

144 calories | Adding a sprinkle of sea salt to chocolate has emerged as a trend in recent years. And it doesn’t surprise me—it’s such a delicious way to satisfy sweet and salty cravings at once. Whole wheat pizza dough provides a great base for these everyone-friendly bites topped with a mouth­watering glaze…

Indian Chicken Salad Pockets

186 calories | I’m a big fan of mixing low-fat mayonnaise with stronger flavors to give it the richness of a full-fat mayonnaise. Here, I’ve coupled low-fat mayo with curry paste, which is found in the international foods aisle in most major grocery stores. Just be sure you don’t go crazy with these pastes…

Sweet Potato No-Skins

141 calories | These “No-Skins” incorporate a very strategic use of salt. You season the top of the potato rounds so that when they’re flipped, the seasoning will be on the bottom—ensuring that your tongue hits the salt on the potato first! That way, you need less salt overall, and your tastebuds will still…

Chicken Enchilasagna

401 calories | I’d gotten so many requests from fans to make over enchiladas that I started playing around with the ingredients to see what I could do. After perfecting them, I decided I needed to figure out a way to cut the prep time. And so, this recipe was born. This is as easy as making a throw-together lasagna…

Simple Grilled Chicken

127 calories | This chicken is perfect to keep on hand for munching or for using in other dishes like quesadillas, salads, sandwiches, and more. If you buy your chicken in bulk and cook extra, you’ll save time and money when hunger and the dinner hour strikes.

Grilled Chicken Smothered Nachos

321 calories | To save money and calories, skip buying the grilled chicken breast at the store and make Simple Grilled Chicken (click here for recipe) instead: Just follow the recipe exactly, swapping out the garlic and herb seasoning for a Mexican or Southwest seasoning (I use Mrs. Dash Southwest Chipotle)…

Good Enough For Thanksgiving Sausage-Cranberry stuffing

205 calories | Around Thanksgiving time, I tend to get inundated with fan letters asking if I have a recipe for low-carb stuffing. My response is always the same: my idea of low-carb stuffing is eating plenty of turkey, plenty of salad, coleslaw, or other healthy, low-carb sides, then eating just a little bit of stuffing…

Sweet and Slim Italian Sausage

96 calories | Have you ever read the label on a package of sausage? What about turkey sausage? You may be shocked to read how much fat is contained in many sausages you find in grocery stores or have ordered from restaurant menus. And my problem is that I love it. This is one of those recipes that I developed for myself…

Main Event Marinara Sauce

63 calories | Canned tomatoes will always vary slightly in taste depending on where they were packed, what time of year they were harvested, etc. So sometimes the same recipe for sauce might require a touch of salt, while another may require a hint of sweetener. Here, we added very little of each and loved the results…

Meatball Lover’s Must-Have Family-Sized Meatball Parmesan Sub

395 calories | This sub is so jam-packed with meatballs, no one will ever guess it came from a healthy cookbook. In fact, it has so many meatballs, it’s almost hard to get them all stuffed into the baguette—just the way I love it!

Blueberry Margaritas

188 calories | Though I’ve maintained a huge weight loss over the years, I confess that I still balk at giving up the occasional margarita. I know that most of the ones served at restaurants are full of sugar and calories, so I make my own lower-cal version at home. And because blueberries are the “star,” you even get…

South of the Border Loaded Sweet Potato

342 calories | When I’m cooking for myself, I prepare this potato with medium salsa, and it has a nice kick. Feel free to use mild or hot, as many of the contestants do. When it comes to topping the potato with salsa, start out with 1/3 cup of fresh salsa and drain the liquid from it. It will likely only be about 1/4…

Asian Crab Salad-Topped Brown Rice Crisps

87 calories | I love the elegance of this appetizer when served on round brown rice crackers. You can serve it at fancy events (trust me, I know because I have!), and people will never suspect that they’re eating a Biggest Loser-approved recipe. In fact, they’re more likely to think it’s really rich, as most crab salads…

Thai Beef Papaya Salad

234 calories | Fish sauce is a common ingredient in many Southeast Asian dishes. It’s made from fish that have been fermented and has a very strong, distinct flavor that is essential to a lot of recipes, including this salad. You’ll notice I use a small amount in this recipe–it’s high in sodium, so I recommend using it sparingly.

Sexy Joes

331 calories | From the time I was very young, I’ve been a huge fan of sloppy joes. This one is much leaner than most, and it’s one of my all-time favorite versions. I prefer making this recipe with chicken over turkey, though both will work. If you have trouble finding extra-lean ground chicken, ask your butcher…

Mom’s New Beef Stew

275 calories | Don’t worry, this stew isn’t for only moms, but it’s sure to taste as good as the one you grew up with. This is a great recipe for a Sunday afternoon while you’re home doing the laundry. You’ll have a great dinner and plenty of leftovers, which are just as good, if not better.

Mango Strawberry Breakfast Sundae

238 calories | This is one of those dishes that you may take one bite and think is a bit bizarre—but then will keep eating anyway. Without fail, the bowl will get emptied. In the summer months, it’s particularly great to start the day with this cool, refreshing treat.

Cinnamon Sugar Triangles

61 calories | Be sure to buy eggroll wrappers—the ones that are bigger than wonton skins—to make these triangles. These are an awesome treat at the end of an Asian-inspired meal . . . or any time. Use different colors of decorative sugar to make them extra fun and festive. I love making them with Wilton Sprinkles Pink…

Ravio-Sagne

301 calories | This dish is insanely great for potlucks. Instead of other lasagnes that you can slave over for hours, you can now spend just 10 minutes throwing this together. And the best news is that it can be assembled up to 1 day in advance. After preparing it, simply cover it with plastic wrap and store it…

Chicken Breasts With Goat Cheese and Fire Roasted Tomatoes

171 calories | This dish is exceptionally easy to make and worth every second. That said, there is one thing to note: Be careful when checking the chicken for doneness. The tomatoes will likely drip into the chicken. If you cut into the chicken or poke it with a fork to test for doneness, be sure it’s not the liquid…

Mostly Mom’s Marinara Sauce

55 calories | Most people have their family-favorite marinara sauce—the one you grew up with. In my house, I had my grandmother Nan’s sauce that we ate at holidays and when she visited. And then I had my mother’s, which I also very much looked forward to. This version is very similar to my mom’s and evokes…

Better Than Classic Stuffed Shells

296 calories | Over the years, I’ve heard so many people say that fat-free ricotta cheese doesn’t taste good. Although I agree that many dishes made with it do not, this is definitely not one of them. In fact, this is one of the dishes I serve to friends who claim they would never eat lower-fat food, because it fools…

Pizza Hut: Supreme Personal Pan Pizza

533 calories | “Ask and you shall receive.” These are definitely words to live by . . . you just may be surprised at what you receive. When I picked up my first Supreme Personal Pan Pizza sample, I was intrigued by the pans used to bake them, since the crisp yet chewy crust is such a signature feature of this particular…

“Little Dev” (aka: McDonald’s Big Mac Makeover)

386 calories | The key to re-creating the Big Mac is obviously perfecting the sauce. Some say it’s simply Thousand Island, but the clever folks at McDonald’s deserve much more credit for this masterpiece we crave. In order to re-create the sauce, I had to ensure that I had a supply that I could taste on its own—away…

Cinnabon Frosting

119 calories | 1-1⁄2 cups confectioners’ sugar
3 tablespoons reduced-fat (Neufchâtel) cream cheese from a block
3 tablespoons light butter from a stick, softened
1⁄2 tablespoon fat-free milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cinnabon: Classic Cinnamon Roll

442 calories | Truth be told, this recipe is probably the most time-consuming recipe in this book (with the Pizza Hut Meat Lover’s Hand-Tossed Style Pizza coming in second). But after the first bite, every person who’s made it swears that they’d make it again . . . especially knowing the Drive-Thru option (see page 197)…

Spinach Bacon Salad

108 calories | I find it fascinating that I can make a Chocolate Not-Only-in-Your-Dreams Cake and other rich, decadent, insanely chocolaty desserts with only 1 or 2 grams of fat, but can rarely make over an entrée-sized salad for less than 10. Oddly, this is one case where even though this recipe sounds insanely fattening, I can.

Three Cheese Spinach Lasagna

257 calories | If you’re not a huge fan of spinach, but you’re looking for a way to incorporate more of this nutrient-packed leafy green into your diet, this recipe is perfect for you. The spinach flavor is extremely mild, but you’ll still get all of the health benefits of this nutrient-packed leafy green. Just be sure…

Madeira Wine Gravy

31 calories | When making turkey it’s great to use drippings in place of some of the broth here (you’re not likely to have a full 11/2 cups). Not only will it add a richness, you’ll save even more sodium. But whether it’s made with drippings or broth, you’re bound to want to use this gravy on mashed potatoes…

“Tea-ing Up!”

Anyone who knows me knows that I have an insatiable sweet tooth!  So how do I deal with that yet … Read More

“You can never be too rich… or too 29!”

A very wise friend once said, “You can never be too rich…or too 29!”. As, I’m about to turn 29…again, … Read More

I have so much trouble getting my kids to eat fruits and vegetables – do you have any suggestions?

I have so much trouble getting my kids to eat fruits and vegetables – do you have any suggestions? Evelyn … Read More

What foods are best to eat right after a workout?

What foods are best to eat right after a workout? – Paul G., Spartanburg, SC Hi Paul! Post-workout nutrition is … Read More

I am a huge fan of the Biggest Loser so I bought the new Family Cookbook that you have out and I am so bummed at the moment…

I am a huge fan of the Biggest Loser so I bought the new Family Cookbook that you have out … Read More

Is skipping lunch a bad idea, even if I had a big breakfast?

Is skipping lunch a bad idea, even if I had a big breakfast? Katelyn T., Canton, OH Hi Katelyn! So … Read More

What do you suggest for someone who doesn’t like fish or seafood?

What do you suggest for someone who doesn’t like fish or seafood? I know you are supposed to eat it, … Read More

I’m wondering if I can substitute oat flour in your recipes where it says white flour?

I don’t like to cook or eat with white flour, so I’m wondering if I can substitute oat flour in … Read More

Can I substitute brown rice for white rice, and if so, is the calorie count different for brown rice vs. white rice?

Can I substitute brown rice for white rice, and if so, is the calorie count different for brown rice vs. … Read More

I find that when I buy fresh fruits and vegetables they go bad before I can eat them all! What should I do?

I’m really trying to eat healthier these days, but I find that when I buy fresh fruits and vegetables they … Read More

Is it okay to use the bottled lemon juice from the store instead of fresh-squeezing it yourself if you want to save time?

Is it okay to use the bottled lemon juice from the store instead of fresh-squeezing it yourself if you want … Read More

Every time I chop onions, I cry like a baby! Is there anything I can do to prevent this?

Every time I chop onions, I cry like a baby! Is there anything I can do to prevent this? Haley … Read More

What is your favorite healthy breakfast?

What is your favorite healthy breakfast? Brittany W., Boulder, CO Hi Brittany, thanks for asking! My favorite breakfast is usually a … Read More

I notice a lot of your recipes say “freshly minced garlic”. Does this mean you don’t think it’s okay to use jarred?

I notice a lot of your recipes say “freshly minced garlic”. Does this mean you don’t think it’s okay to … Read More

Hi Devin! Do you ever eat fried food?

Hi Devin! Do you ever eat fried food? – Jim M., Marietta, GA Hi Jim! Sounds like you want the … Read More

What are the healthiest snacks to eat throughout the day?

What are the healthiest snacks to eat throughout the day? Ava C., South Bend, IN Great question, Ava! When I’m … Read More

What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?

What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Mark C., Twin Falls, Idaho Hello, Mark! I love SO many … Read More

Is it healthier to consume 3 hardy meals or 5 smaller meals throughout the day?

Is it healthier to consume 3 hardy meals or 5 smaller meals throughout the day? – Andy C., San Luis … Read More

Hi Devin! Do you have any tips on how to control your portions?

Hi Devin! Do you have any tips on how to control your portions? Helen H., Morrison, IL Hi Helen! Yes … Read More

Is eating granola for breakfast good for you?

I thought eating granola was good for you, but I swear I gain weight every time I start eating it … Read More

I’m curious, do all celebrity chefs know each other?

Hi Devin, love your recipes! I’m curious, do all celebrity chefs know each other? Holly M., Henderson, NV Hi Holly, … Read More

Is there any way to make cocktails healthier?

I want to lose weight but I really love to have a drink with my friends. Is there any way … Read More

What is your favorite thing to snack on?

What is your favorite thing to snack on? Mindy T., Truckee, CA Hi Mindy! My favorite thing to eat for … Read More

Do you cut the stems off of cilantro before chopping it?

I saw that one of your tips for creating decadent dishes is using fresh herbs, but I don’t really know … Read More

How do you seed tomatoes?

Some of your recipes say, “1 tomato, seeded”. How do you seed tomatoes? – Brad F., Sacramento, CA Hi Brad, … Read More

What weight do I go by to determine the true calories of the snack?

Hey Devin! Question for you. I was creating my own sweet potato chips. I weighed the potato before I sliced … Read More

I once read that you don’t use a hair brush. That’s not true, is it?

I once read that you don’t use a hair brush. That’s not true, is it? –Jennifer B., Monterey, VA Hi … Read More

Do you have any tricks to dice onions?

Do you have any tricks to dice onions? –Shelby S., Dallas, Texas Hi Shelby, YES! Check out this video where I … Read More

Do you ever have time to just watch TV? If you do what are your favorite shows?

Your life seems insanely busy! Do you ever have time to just watch TV? If you do what are your … Read More

What foods best speed up metabolism?

What foods best speed up metabolism? – James C., Lincoln, Nebraska Hi James, One of my favorite ways to speed … Read More

What’s your favorite outdoor activity?

I notice you often post awesome pictures at the beach! What’s your favorite outdoor activity? –Ben K., San Diego Hi … Read More

I’m wondering though, if the white of a boiled egg is exactly the same as a fried one in terms of protein?

I saw your article in Muscle and Fitness on Body Building Foods, and I agree that one of the number … Read More

Do you have any tips for making great salads at home?

I never feel like salads I make at home are as good as salads I buy. My salads always seems … Read More

Can you substitute egg substitute where ever it says egg whites, and if so are they equal measurments?

Can you substitute egg substitute where ever it says egg whites, and if so are they equal measurements? Silvana from … Read More