When we first started this lifestyle we purchased a lot of prepared products that were, to us, inedible. The food industry seems to think that if they replace the fat with sugar, we won't notice the lack of fat. I notice the excessive sweetness. We have thrown out numerous bottles of salad dressings, sauces, etc. that we found to be too sweet. Following are some low-fat prepared foods that we like and use frequently. This is one area where I think that reader's suggestions will be especially appreciated. If you have tried any low-fat foods you liked, please e-mail me so I can list them as "readers recommendations". If you are recommending a product that might not be available nationwide, tell me where you live so I can include that information in the listing.

My first product recommendation is not a food product but a spray pump bottle that actually works with oil! I really don't like the taste or the reaction of commercial cooking sprays (they usually burn on hot surfaces, and I think they have an "off" taste). I have purchased about 20 different spray bottles trying to find one that would actually "spray" oil, rather than "squirt" oil, but none worked. Then I discovered the "EcoPump" sold by California Olive Oil Corp. (978) 745-7840 . They produce a pump bottle (you actually have to "pump" it up before you can spray) called the EcoPump and it actually works!. I purchased three. I have one with olive oil, one with garlic-flavored olive oil and one with canola oil in it. I now have my own completely natural "cooking spray" that contains no additives and no propellant! I'm a happy camper!

Food Recommendations

Tostitos Baked Tortilla Chips (with salsa, you can hardly tell the difference)

Lays Baked Potato Chips (BBQ Flavor)

Best Foods/Hellmans Low-fat Mayonnaise (1 gram of fat per tablespoon)

Krusteaz Low-Fat Baking Mixes, all are pretty good.

Bisquick low-fat baking mix. Still a little high in fat, but when you really need a good biscuit, these work fine.

S & W Stir Fry Cooking Sauces and Marinades (all are very good and low-fat)

Fleshman's Non-Fat Margarine.

I Can't Believe Its Not Butter Lite (6 grams of fat per tablespoon, but when you just have to have that butter flavor, this stuff is great!)

I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spray. Works well sprayed on vegetables, potatoes, etc. Also, use as a dip for artichokes!

Butter Buds - Tastes almost like butter, good in mashed potatoes and on vegetables

S & W Lites Salad Dressings (basically lightly sweetened, thickend vinegars, but quite good)

S & W Marinades. All are either very low or non-fat and all are great for marinating chicken breasts, lean pork, etc.

Maries Low-Fat Dressings (all are good).

Girards Fat Free Caesar dressing (add a little anchovy and some grated parmesan, and you won't know this is a low-fat caesar).

Better than Boullion (chicken and beef boullion base, not salty and very good)

Wonnies Hickory Smoke Teryaki Marinade and Wonnies Hot and Spicy Sauce.

Boca Burgers (prepared like a traditional burger, most people think they are beef, but no fat!)

Garden Burgers, very tasty and very good for you.

Gimmie Lean, a fantastic no-fat vegetarian sausage. Tastes so much like real sausage it's scary! If you can't find it, call (800) 274-6001, Lightlife Foods, Inc., P.O. Box 870, Greenfield, MA 01302 and ask them where it is sold in your area. It's worth finding.

Ben & Jerry's Yogurt Ice Cream and Sorbets (all flavors are low in fat and incredibly rich).

Double Rainbow Chocolate and Raspberry Sorbet (we buy it at Trader Joes). Serve a little of each. You will think you have died and gone to heaven!

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