Half the sugar, all the love A family cookbook : 100 easy, low-sugar recipes for every meal of the day

Many people are concerned about the amount of sugar in their diets; this cookbook offers 100 recipes designed to be lower in added sugar without losing flavor. By recommending fruits and vegetables as sweeteners instead of table sugar, honey, corn syrup, or other added sugars, home cook/author Tyler and pediatrician Patel aim to take advantage of the natural sweetness inherent in these plants. There are small amounts of added sugars present, as the book espouses a balanced way of eating that is not a diet, because those have been shown to result in lower self-esteem and higher risk of eating disorders in children. After an introduction highlighting facts and dispelling myths about sugar, recipes are categorized by meal, as well as sections for snacks, desserts, beverages, and condiments. Each recipe includes a chart showing how much of one's daily allowance of added sugar is contained in one serving, along with a comparison to a leading-brand packaged version of the dish. As added sugar is one of the dietary concerns of the day, expect demand.--Anne Heidemann Copyright 2010 Booklist

Lee (New Foods Challenge) and Patel, an associate professor of pediatrics at Stanford University, offer alternatives to sugary store-bought, processed food in this collection of 100 low-sugar, family-friendly dishes that don't lack in flavor. The authors here eschew added sugar, fruit juice, and concentrate in favor of more fibrous "whole or pureed fruit and vegetables." An overnight French toast strata with raspberry sauce (made with fresh raspberries and maple syrup) calls for one teaspoon of sugar compared to 16 in many other recipes; carrots are subbed for sugar in tomato soup; and using dark chocolate in chocolate chip cookies reduces the need for sugar. The recipes run the gamut and include barbecue chicken with grilled corn salad, rainbow chard lasagna with tomato sauce, and a sugar-free blueberry pie. Kid-friendly favorites like DIY toaster pastries, maple caramel corn, stuffed chicken parmesan strips with marinara dipping sauce, and sloppy joes are sure to win over the harshest (and youngest) critics in the house. This is a smart choice for families interested in improving their diet. (Jan.)