Favorite healthy cooking shows

[paulj]

What are your favorite cooking shows that promote healthy eating? If you don't like any, why not?

Paula Dean is the current favorite whipping boy, with people complaining that she should have made a Graham Kerr conversion three years ago. I've seen Galoping Gourmet in lists of all-time favorite cooking shows, but no one raves about his patented 'Minmax' post-conversion shows. I am turned off by any cooking show that lapses into any sort of preaching, even if I generally agree with the message.

FN has a 'healthy recipes' banner, CC has a new "Drop 5 lbs' show, as well as Bobby Dean's 'Not my mama's meals' show. How about 'hungry girl'? Are there any new or old favorites along this line?

[iL Divo]

I'm not sure which show of Giada's I was watching a couple of days ago about fire and hot food were what the recipes were about on that show.

she made what seemed healthy but not sure it was booked as that. anyway, folks just be weary of making her naturally hot and spicy [whatever she calls it] gazpacho. I liked it, I like it, I still have some left that I'll finish. I drink it I don't spoon it out of a bowl, doesn't matter. my point is, my husband is still suffering with the, well, let's just say he still 'wants' to kiss me, but..............this stuff sticks around your breath for days on end..............blechy smelly odor.
I'm just sayin

[HillJ]

Bill Granger on Cooking Channel prepares light and healthy meals. http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/bills...

[kubasd]

Oh I do like him too!!! Bill's Holiday is pretty great, he's fun to watch, too! That, and the scenery is beautiful :)

[HillJ]

Right! Bill's such a calm cook and I love his approach. New episodes is what I hope for!

[hetook]

Had to stop watching tv a couple yrs ago.( addiction) There used to be a good natural cooking show on PBS, following Amer Test Kitch on Saturdays. I forget who was the chef.

[ttoommyy]

I'm not a fan of "healthful cooking" shows because I love to cook. I watch something like Christina Cooks or Ellie Krieger and all I see is substitute this for that and by the time the dish is done it bears no resemblance to what the true dish is. Just eat smaller portions of the recipes as written if you want to eat healthfully. The shows I do like to watch all have a sensibility about cooking and food that is just naturally healthful. Sarah's Weeknight Meals, Everyday Food, Essential Pepin, are just a few I watch.

[EM23]

I totally agree with you - smaller portions of good food is way more satisfying and healthy than swapping out fresh ingredients for processed food. Sara, Pepin and Everyday Food are all terrific. I also like Mad Hungry.
But Hungry Girl? Ugh! Processed crap full of sugar and sodium.

[kubasd]

I agree on the Hungry Girl front. Just terrible.... I can't imagine ANYONE wanting to eat that stuff.

[sedimental]

Absolutely! Her chemical concoctions (food?) are almost funny.

Hungry Girl is low calorie- not healthy. Some people might confuse that.

[mattstolz]

i'm glad i didnt have to be the one to say this. i was kinda disgusted watching her show the one time i tried to.

[jarona]

Hungry Girl relies too much on processed foods.

[sedimental]

Although not billed as "healthy cooking"- I find things I want to cook from Bobby Flay and Giada's shows. I usually tweak a thing or two as I don't typically eat wheat or corn- but both of these FN cooks seem to have a healthier meal style than others. Colorful veggies, green leafy veg, olive oil, braise or grill, lean meats, and serving sizes that seem more "normal" to me, etc.

Maybe *not-so-coincidentally* they are both thin and healthy looking people.

[mattstolz]

giada will pretty regularly make a "healthier" or lighter version of a traditional italian dish, which i like. and i do agree, she tends to utilize leaner meats and give some tips on lightening dishes

[HillJ]

And, Giada recipes encourage small plates and portions given her personal preference to prepare signature Italian menus in small bites.

[mattstolz]

im still a fan of Ellie Krieger. Healthy Appetite still shows in the mornings and i think she normally has great tips and recipes, and more education on the health aspect that any of those listed in your OP.

[wyogal]

Yes, I agree, Ellie Krieger.

[kubasd]

I agree. Her dishes are healthy, not just low calorie. Also, i don't feel like i'm missing out when I make her recipes.

[jarona]

Another vote for Ellie. She really does make very healthy food and tasty too. Also--I like the way she comes across on TV.