5 Veggies That Make Awesome Fries
Article posted in: Diet & NutritionLosing weight doesn’t have to mean losing out! On Nutrisystem, you can enjoy all your favorite snack-time staples made healthier (and in portions that make sense!). Don’t believe us? Click here to check out the amazing options available to you in our round up of the Top 20 Snacks and Sweets from Nutrisystem >.
Plus, you can find healthier ways to prepare your favorite snack-time guilty pleasures. For example, if you’re a big chips buff, try your hand at making some crispy, crunchy veggie chips (Click here for 6 Veggies That Make Ridiculously Good Chips >). Or, if you’re more of a sweets-lover, find healthier spins on your favorite treats. Click here for 30 Favorite Healthy Dessert Recipes you can indulge in, guilt-free, while you’re on Nutrisystem.
And, for those of you who just need to satisfy your fry fix, try these tasty takes on a crunchy snack-time staple that goes light on fat and calories, but doesn’t spare the flavor:
1. Zucchini Fries
Ingredients:
4 small or 3 medium zucchini, sliced into fry-like strips
Zero-calorie cooking spray
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Spray a cooling rack with cooking spray, place it on a baking sheet and set aside.
3. Combine cheese and spices in a medium bowl.
4. Spray each zucchini fry with cooking spray, then dip into cheese and seasoning mixture.
5. Spread zucchini fries across cooling rack on baking sheet and bake until tender (about 15-20 minutes).
6. If you prefer your fries crispier, broil for an additional two minutes.
7. Serve immediately.
Counts As:
1 cup of zucchini fries counts as 1 Vegetable and 2 Extras
2. Eggplant Fries
Delicious meets healthy with these eggplant fries that are as simple to make as they are tasty!
3. Carrot Fries
Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs. peeled carrots, sliced into fry-like strips
Zero-calorie cooking spray
1 Tbsp. fresh rosemary, minced
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Spray carrots with cooking spray then toss with rosemary, salt and pepper.
3. Spread carrots a sprayed baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes or until crispy, flipping frequently.
Counts As:
1 cup of carrot fries counts as 1 Vegetable
4. Sweet Potato Fries
Ingredients:
2 medium sized sweet potatoes
Zero-calorie cooking spray
Cinnamon
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Slice sweet potatoes into long, fry-like strips, spray with cooking spray then sprinkle with cinnamon or salt and pepper.
3. Bake until fries are tender (about 20 minutes). Turn fries occasionally.
Counts As:
½ cup of sweet potatoes counts as 1 SmartCarb
5. String Bean Fries
Ingredients:
1 lb. fresh green beans, trimmed
Zero-calorie cooking spray
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ tsp. garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375° F. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray.
2. Mix together cheese, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
3. Spray green beans with cooking spray then dip them in cheese mixture or toss to coat.
4. Add green beans to baking sheet and bake until crisp (about 10 to 15 minutes).
5. Cool slightly before serving.
Counts As:
1 cup of string bean fries counts as 1 Vegetable and 2 Extras