Banana French Toast

Celebrity dietitian and motivational life coach Tanya Zuckerbrot, author of www.ffactordiet.com and founder of www.skinnyandthecity.com, has helped thousands of people lose weight and keep it off with her program. Her philosophy? Tanya believes you should never sacrifice taste, even when you're eating healthy foods. Send us an email to reciperehab [AT] thatsfit [DOT] com to submit a recipe for a makeover!

Recipe may vary from photograph. Photo: juiterimages

As a working mom, I rarely have the opportunity to sit down to eat breakfast with my children. That is why every Saturday, when both my husband and I are home, we enjoy family brunch with our kids. I believe that cooking and eating together is the best way to teach kids healthy eating habits.

Nothing says brunch like warm, chewy French toast dripping with maple syrup. Although, with a typical serving -- containing over 600 calories and and 36 grams of fat -- it's far from the healthiest option if you are concerned about your families' nutrition. So I set out to tackle this brunch staple and came up with a recipe that's a hit with adults and kids alike.

If your kids are like my kids, they don't want any bread other than white. However, once cooked, any bread looks brown, making this switch much simpler. Swapping white bread for whole wheat bread bumps up the fiber content and helps to keep you feeling full all morning long. Furthermore, by replacing whole eggs and milk with egg whites and skim milk, you're still getting protein and calcium, but with half the calories and fat.

My Banana French Toast has become a regular in my house, with my husband, 6-year-old son and 3-year-old twin daughters. This recipe couldn't be easier and best of all -- it's so delicious, no one realizes how healthy it is!

Tanya's Tip: Don't like bananas? I've made this with strawberries and blueberries, and it was just as delicious!

Ingredients

3 egg whites

1/4 cup skim milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. Splenda

1 ripe banana

8 slices whole wheat bread

reduced calorie maple syrup (optional)

Directions

1. In a shallow bowl, using a wire whisk, beat the egg whites, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and Splenda.

2. Mash the banana with a fork and add to egg mixture. Mix well to combine.

3. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.

4. Lightly spray a nonstick skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat. Dip 4 of the bread slices into the egg mixture, turning to coat, and drain excess back into the dish.

5. Place the bread slices in the skillet. Cook until golden brown, turning once, about 1 to 2 minutes per side.

6. Transfer cooked slices to plate; keep warm in the oven. Repeat with the remaining bread slices.

7. Divide French toast among serving plates and top with maple syrup, if desired.

Serves 4

Nutrition Content, Per Serving:

126 calories, 28g carbohydrate, 10g fiber, 12g protein, 2g fat, 0g sat. fat, 349mg sodium

Readers, I would love to hear from you. Please send me your most favorite, fattening recipes that need a RECIPE REHAB! Everything from your mom's meat loaf to your kid's favorite dessert -- let me lighten them up.