HOME & GARDEN CONSUMER GUIDE

Keep to Dieting Commitments with Cranberries

(ARA) - As New Year’s Eve celebrations drift from our memories, it’s very tempting to also let those pesky New Year’s resolutions to better manage our weight just slip away. Fortunately, we can turn to a natural and convenient solution anytime of year whether we’re looking for creative meals that are low in fat or trying to maintain a low-carbohydrate diet that’s still high in taste. The easy and delicious answer? The mighty cranberry.

Cranberries abound in low-fat products, and Americans have begun to find low-carb treats on their grocery store shelves too. Light cranberry juice and unsweetened dried cranberries provide two excellent low-carb options available right now. With their tangy, unmistakable flavor, cranberries add verve and spark to recipes.

Here are a few suggestions: Dried cranberries can replace raisins in low-fat stir-fries with spinach, almond slivers and strips of your favorite lean meat, while light cranberry juice packs a punch in a morning protein smoothie. Home cooks can also create their own low-carb cranberry sauce with either fresh or frozen cranberries, adding in either oranges and walnuts or raspberries and ginger, and sweetening with a sugar-substitute. Just simmer the sauce for about 8 to 10 minutes, until the cranberries pop and the sauce thickens. Then stir in sweetener to taste.

Estimates of the number of Americans currently on low-carb diets vary widely from 5 million to 50 million; but, by all indications, the phenomenon shows no sign of fading. A survey conducted for the Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA) by Phil Lempert and posted on the SupermarketGuru.com Web site finds that 40 percent of consumers plan to eat more low-carb foods in 2004.

A great deal of evidence shows that a daily dose of cranberry is a smart addition to the diet for many reasons. A solid body of research demonstrates that cranberries can help prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs), and new studies suggest that same unique bacteria-blocking ability may also help inhibit stomach ulcers and even gum disease.

Additionally, cranberries contain powerful antioxidant capabilities that may help reduce the risks of heart disease and some cancers. Dr. Martin Starr, Science Advisor to the Cranberry Institute noted, “Researchers from several world class research institutions have demonstrated that this tiny berry packs some tremendous health benefits. Cranberries definitely belong on the ‘A’ list of healthy foods we should consume frequently, and the variety of forms -- including beverages, sauces, dried, fresh and frozen -- make that a practical option.”

Why not try an easy cranberry recipe today? The whole family will devour these mouthwatering cranberry apple oat bars, whether you serve them as a snack or for dessert. Best of all, the bars are naturally low in fat with only 1.5 grams of fat per serving, and also part of a low carb lifestyle with 13 grams of carbs per serving. (It is important to note that while there are no federal regulations defining “low-carb” yet, this amount is based on a commonly used threshold defining low-carb).

Cranberry Apple Oat Bar

• 3 cups rolled oats
• 2 cups flour, all-purpose
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 1/4 cup margarine, softened
• 2 cups cranberries, dried
• 1 cup apple juice
• 2 cups apples, peeled, cubed
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground

Directions:

1. Blend first 4 ingredients; set aside. Beat brown sugar, applesauce and margarine in large bowl on high until smooth. Stir-in flour mixture until crumbly. Press half into bottom of greased pan; reserve other half.

2. Bake in preheated 350° F oven 15 minutes.

3. Place cranberries, apple juice, apples and cinnamon in small saucepan; soak 20 minutes. Boil over medium-high heat 5 minutes until tender, stirring occasionally.

4. Spread hot fruit over crust; crumble remaining crust mixture over fruit.

5. Bake at 350° F 20 to 25 minutes until light brown. Makes 48 bars.

Nutritional Analysis Per Serving: 70 calories, 1 gm protein, 13 gm carbohydrates, 1.5 gm fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 0 gm saturated fat, 115 mg sodium, 1 gm dietary fiber.

Courtesy of ARA Content
For more delicious cranberry recipes or information on cranberries’ health benefits, visit www.uscranberries.com and www.cranberryinstitute.org.