June 25, 2007

Chef Tim Says...

Next week is the Fourth of July and time to celebrate. These are the days to splurge a bit and maybe eat too much. Not a big deal -- that's a HUGE part of eating healthy. It's really important to give yourself permission to cut loose now and then.

That said, you don't have to eat food that's not great for you when you're eating too much. Today's Salmon Salad with Roasted Tomatoes is perfect if you're having a few people in for a dinner party. You can do the whole thing in advance and finish off with the Strawberry Shortcake (maybe throw a few blueberries on for that red, white and blue look). More Fourth of July Recipe Ideas

Ask Dr. Gourmet

Thanks for your helpful information. I was wondering about the nutritional info for Noodles and Company and Potbelly sandwiches which we have in Michigan.

Dr. Gourmet Says....

Thanks for the excellent suggestion. I'm always happy to add restaurants to our Eating Healthier at Fast Food Restaurants section. These lists of the healthier options at fast food restaurants are simply a selection of those items that are under about 400 calories and 15 grams of fat.

Here are the Potbelly Sandwich Works selections and those from Noodles & Company. Another reader asked about eating at Popeye's. Other chains are in the works and will be added in the next few days.

Featured Ingredient: Salmon

It's clear that eating fish is great for you and one of my favorites is salmon. This is both because I love the flavor and because there are remarkably high levels of Omega 3 fats found in this delicious and versatile fish. I have a lot of folks write in and ask about all the different choices in the market and which is best for their recipes.

When you step up to the fish counter the salmon you find won't necessarily be clearly labeled. You can, however, fairly easily tell a lot about it. Firstly, salmon is divided into two broad categories – Atlantic and Pacific.

The Atlantic salmon is a species unto itself (Salmo salar). Wild Atlantic salmon are found in the waters of the North Atlantic on the coast of the U.S. to the coasts of Europe, the United Kingdom, Iceland and Russia. Salmon

Did You Know?

A lower Body Mass Index means you live a longer, healthier life. Do you need to reduce your BMI? Find out now.

The Waist-to-Hip Ratio is an easy-to-calculate measurement that's a good indicator of your risk of health problems like heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes. What's your WHR?

Hand on Heart

Dr. Harlan's latest cookbook, Hand on Heart, includes several of the recipes from drgourmet.com, plus a few that were developed specifically for the book, like Banoffee Pie! More on what's inside.

Cooking to Reduce the Burn

Cooking to Reduce the Burn was created specifically for those suffering from GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease). With Tummy Tips and easy recipes to help you eat well and eat healthy without painful acid reflux. Download it for FREE!