Food Network Magazine April 2017

DINNERS UNDER 500 CALORIES Try these light meals from our Weeknight Cooking section. CRUSH YOUR CRAVINGS A quick workout after you leave the office may curb cravings and prevent overeating. A recent study found that challenging mental tasks such as working and studying can trigger overeating—but that urge is decreased when the tough task is followed by 15 minutes of exercise. LOOKING GOOD The key nutrients for clear skin may be zinc and vitamins E and A. Researchers found that people with acne had significantly lower levels of zinc and vitamins E and A in their system than those without. Here’s how to get more into your diet. GUT REACTION Fiber is good for more than just keeping you full: A recent study found that fiber protects the lining of…

If you had to eat only one color of food forever, what would you choose? NYC VACATION SWEEPSTAKES! Enter for a chance to win a getaway to New York City and the Harlem EatUp! festival, founded by Marcus Samuelsson, from May 18 to May 21. One lucky reader and a guest will win VIP passes to this can’t-miss event, plus a $2,000 stipend for airfare, hotel and meals. Visit foodnetwork.com/harlemeatup to enter. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Food Network Magazine Harlem EatUp! Festival Sweepstakes. Sponsored by Hearst Communications, Inc. Beginning March 7, 2017, at 12:01 a.m. ET through April 10, 2017, at 11:59 p.m. ET, go to foodnetwork.com/harlemeatup on a computer or wireless device and complete the entry form pursuant to the on-screen instructions. One winner will receive…

Spin cycle “I got a Peloton at-home spin bike for my birthday. There are workouts in increments from 10 to 90 minutes. I’ve done the 10-minute one, the 30-minute ones—but never the 90-minute ones. It gets the job done.” The Peloton Bike, from $1,995; pelotoncycle.com Beloved necklace “My favorite jewelry is from Jennifer Meyer. I had them make a necklace that says Ryan ♥ Riley, and I have another one that says Mommy.” Jennifer Meyer Statement “Mommy” Necklace in yellow gold, $850; ylang23.com Target runs “I’m a serial online shopper— Shopbop, Net-a-Porter and FWRD. Of course, I also love Target. I get lost there—I get a million and one things I don’t need. We love Welch’s Fruit Snacks. They’re gluten-free and the perfect gummy texture.” Welch’s Fruit Snacks, $4.50 for…

I’ve lived in seven different apartments in New York City, and every one of them has had a horrible kitchen. In my first, the cabinets fell off the walls and broke every plate I owned. In the second, the stove was the size of a toy. My third kitchen had almost no counters, the fourth one was infested with roaches, the fifth was above a Dunkin’ Donuts and came with a family of mice (although it smelled like blueberry muffins around the clock, which was nice). My current kitchen is better than any of these, but it’s not exactly a chef’s paradise: The fridge is tiny, there’s zero ventilation, and worst of all, the cabinets and counters are brown on brown. I always imagined that if I got to design…

Melissa, how do you work around your daughter’s food sensitivities? My son has dairy and nut allergies, and sometimes I have a hard time adjusting recipes. Allison O’Mara West Hartford, CT My daughter Valentine is gluten-free, so I know how tricky it can be to modify recipes. Often there is no simple swap (I’ve had some disappointing results with glutenfree flour). It’s worth seeking out recipes that address your specific allergy concerns, instead of retrofitting existing ones. Look for dairy- and nut-free cookbooks—the recipes were created and tested with those allergies in mind. No more guesswork! Melissa d’Arabian Duff, I’m looking for a recipe for frosting that tastes delicious and isn’t loaded with shortening. What do you suggest? Liza Richardson Devon, PA I’d go with any meringue-based buttercream, like Italian…

Seeing Red The heart wants what it wants—and that’s red food, according to new research. Our brains prefer naturally red foods, like berries and tomatoes, to green ones, and scientists have just postulated the reason: Participants in a recent study perceived red foods to be more caloric and filling, a good thing in the early times of hunting and gathering. If you find yourself reaching for an antioxidant-loaded red pepper at the salad bar, you can thank your caveman ancestors! SOURCE: INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL FOR ADVANCED STUDIES…