A Healthier Pasta Carbonara

Pasta is always a favorite, and it's easy to make it a healthful choice.

Instead of...

1 cup pasta carbonara made with vermicelli, bacon, garlic, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, egg, whole milk, parsley, and black pepper

425 calories/20 g. fat

Try...

1 cup pasta carbonara made with vermicelli, turkey bacon, garlic, low-fat Parmesan cheese, egg substitute, low-fat milk, parsley, and black pepper

285 calories/14 g. fat

You save: 140 calories/6 g. fat

Instead of...

1 crostini royale made with toasted Italian bread, chopped tomato, salt, pepper, parsley, tarragon, capers, olive oil, mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, mint, and garlic

165 calories/12 g. fat

Try...

1 crostini royale made with toasted Italian bread, chopped tomato, salt, pepper, parsley, tarragon, capers, olive oil, mint, and garlic

65 calories/2 g. fat

You save: 100 calories/10 g. fat

Instead of...

1 cup Italian-style salad with romaine, radicchio, endive, garbanzo beans, marinated artichoke hearts, red bell pepper, and balsamic vinegar dressing

200 calories/15 g. fat

Try...

1 cup Italian-style salad with romaine, radicchio, endive, garbanzo beans, canned artichoke hearts (no oil), red bell pepper. and low-fat balsamic vinegar dressing

100 calories/5g. fat

You save: 100 calories/10 g. fat

Instead of...

1 cup premium frozen yogurt

290 calories/8 g. fat

Try...

1 cup fat-free frozen yogurt

180 calories/0 g. fat

You save: 110 calories/8 g. fat

Totals

Before: Total calories 1,080/Total g. fat 55 (46 percent calories from fat)

After: Total calories 630/Total g. fat 21 (30 percent calories from fat)

Overall: You save: 450 calories/34 g. fat 

For a healthful, quick-fix dessert, choose from a variety of fat-free frozen yogurts. Be sure to check the calorie content. Many brands add sugar to enhance the taste--thereby enhancing the caloric load.