Chef Robert aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’ takes part in our fourth annual Mr. Divabetic Mystery podcast: Gypsies, Tramps & Peas scheduled for Tuesday, September 12, 2017. This year’s diabetes mystery takes place in Coney Island, the home of Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. Joey “Jaws” Chestnut captured his 10th Mustard Belt by eating an event-record 72 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes to win.
To get you in the spirit of ‘Gypsies, Tramps & Peas’ we asked Chef Robert to share some recipes for healthy hot toppings to help you ‘makeover’ your hot dog.
“Okay, let be honest the All American Hot dog get’s a bad rap!,” says Chef Robert Lewis. “It’s nutritional reputation is horrible. The average hot dog actually beats out a basic hamburger patty by about 100 calories assuming it’s not a foot long. After all, who really needs to eat a foot of food anyway!”
Chef Robert Lewis recommends choosing organic, grass-fed, and/or kosher all beef wieners, which tend to have less sodium. Aim for less than 200 calories, 5g sat fat, and 400 mg sodium.
Don’t worry, if you’re feeling angry with Chef Robert for taking the fun out of grilling because he’s got loads of surefire ways to make sure your dogs are the ‘top dogs’ at your next cookout.
After all, he was diagnosed in 1998 with type 2 diabetes. “Much of what I heard in those early day was about the foods that were prohibited,” says Chef Robert Lewis. “I suspected that my days of good eating were over, yet as I worked through my ups and downs, I came to realize that the selection of foods I could and should eat was vast and included many of my favorites. This motivated me to attempt to create delicious, diabetic-friendly dishes that were also easy to prepare.”
The Happy Diabetic Fixin’s Tip: Replace relish, which is loaded with sodium, with shredded cucumbers. Cucumbers are low in calories and provide a healthy dose of fiber, vitamin C and potassium.
The Happy Diabetic’s Festive Hot Dog Toppings (all less than 150 calories!)
The West Coast Hot Dog Recipe
Yellow mustard and chopped fresh basil
Sliced avocado
Alfalfa sprouts
Shredded or sliced cucumbers
Baby Spinach
The Salsa Dog
Roasted corn
Sliced green onion
Fresh lime juice
Diced red bell and Green pepper
Slices of jalapeño slivers
Crumbled sharp cheese
Pickle ME! Hot Dog Recipe
2 teaspoons olive oil mayo mixed with 1 teaspoon chopped cucumbers
Sliced pickled red onion
Crumbled feta cheese
Shredded carrots
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
Aloha! Ohvey…Chop It Up Hot Dog Recipe
Chopped red onion
Chopped fresh pineapple
Chopped red bell pepper
Chopped macadamia nuts
Chopped fresh cilantro
Fresh lime juice
My Big Fat Greek Hot Dog Recipe
Grape tomatoes
Sliced Kalamata olives
Chickpeas
Pepperoncini
Chobni Meze Cucumber Greek Yogurt
The Happy Diabetic Quick Fixes: Add low-sodium chili supplies fiber and protein, Choose white beans and low-sodium turkey bacon that contains fiber and protein, Spice it up withresh herbs, such as dill or cilantro (lot’s flavor to a and are low in calories) or top your dog with chopped pineapple or mango.
Everything’s Coming Up Roses! We’re going behind the scenes on our upcoming Mr. Diabetic Mystery podcast. ‘Gypsies, Tramps & Peas’ (scheduled for September 12, 2017) with music from the Original Broadway cast of ‘Gypsy’ courtesy of SONY Music.
Our annual diabetes mystery podcast hopes to encourage you to become a Diabetes Detective. Look for clues, search for patterns, investigate the reasons behind your blood sugar high’s and low’s and report to the authorities (your healthcare team) about medical information found on the internet.
On August’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast we’re discussing tips for Summertime Diabetes Management, the Best in Swimsuit Coverups, Body Image Issues, Health Hazards of Professional Eating Contests, Safe Pedicures and Broadway’s Biggest Divas.
LISTEN: August’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with music from the musical, ‘Gypsy’ features guests Actress, Singer Soara-Joye Ross, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’, Maryann Nicolay BA, DTR, Catherine Schuller AICI, CIP, Founder & Executive Director of the We Are Diabetes organization Asha Brown, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes and Mama Rose Marie.