Lucky Charms + All-Bran = Lucky Bran
Who doesn't love the wee marshmallow rainbows, half moons, and hearts? But you need 25 grams of belly-slimming fiber daily, and three-fourths of a cup of the kiddie cereal provides only one measly gram--that wouldn't keep even a six-inch-tall leprechaun regular. But mix half a cup of Charms with half a cup of All-Bran, and poof! You get 10 grams of fiber without losing that frosted sweetness.
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Taters + Turnips = Tatnips
Give mashed potatoes a nutrient boost by tossing in turnips. These root veggies with a taterlike texture add a hint of nuttiness without changing the fluff factor. You'll subtract 50 calories (that'll make up for the pat of butter!) and 12 grams of carbs from one cup of Grandma's classic smashed spuds.
Grainy Dijon Mustard + Mayo = Diyo
There's something inherently weird about fat-free mayo, given that the white stuff's main ingredients--oil and eggs--are heavy on fat. Stick with the real deal, but blend half a tablespoon with the same amount of Dijon mustard. You'll cut 43 calories and six grams of fat and have a delish spiced-up spread.
Fruit Yogurt + Greek Yogurt = Freek Yogurt
With 27 grams of sugar per serving, fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt is dessert in disguise. So take a half-cup of your favorite fruited brand and mix it with an equal amount of creamy but fat-free Greek yogurt, like Fage or Oikos. The simple switch will almost double the amount of muscle-building protein while hacking off a third of the sugar and 30 calories.
Ground Beef + Bulgur = Hambulgur
Skewer fat at your grillfest without anyone being the wiser. Soak half a cup of fine-grind bulgur (found in the rice aisle) in water for 10 minutes; drain and mix with one pound of 91 to 93 percent lean ground beef; season to taste. Shape into five patties and toss on the grill. The perks: three more grams of fiber, two fewer grams of fat, and one fewer gram of saturated fat.
