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Diet Bites Best Daily Diet Tips for Weight Loss, January 6

" And the weight loss race begins....."

Beans and franks. There is nothing more simple than this menu - and it can be as fat in caloric values or as skinny as we wish it to me with the arrival of fat-free and reduced franks at the market these days.

In addition, the protein contained in the beans can assist in keeping your appetite happy for hours into the day. You'll feel as full as a tick - and won't be bothered for quite some time by Mister Hungry.

Keep in mind that it's key to use the lighter brands of franks which contain a skinny 50 calories per frank - or thereabout. For added flavor, slice the franks very thin and place them into a toaster oven on a sheet of foil at 350 degrees. They will plump and cook very quickly and will have a unique flavor in comparison to franks that are traditionally cooked in the pan before the beans are added.

And another plus? We can use any type of bean that we want to mix with the franks. Here are a few of our favorite combinations.

Pinto Beans & Franks: When using this flavor combination you can take it into ten or more different directions. Pinto beans pair well with cheese - as do winnies. Therefore, you can top your serving with shredded reduced fat cheese - or even a slice of cheese. Other ingredients which will add flavor to this combination include any of the following: chopped onions of any variety - but the sweet varieties of purple onion would be our choice, jalapeno peppers, your favorite salsa and yes, even a few tortilla chips or corn chips.

Also, corn tortillas as well as flour tortillas go well to compliment this combination. Enjoy with a glass of unsweetened tea, or a cup of reduced fat milk and a side of whole grain white rice.

Red Beans & Franks: One of my favorite combinations and one of my favorite side items is white or yellow hominy. As with the pinto bean combination - all of the meal suggestions also compliment this combination.

Navy Beans, Great Northern Beans or White Beans & Franks: When white beans are used the flavor combination goes from earthy to a bit bland, but the unique taste can be quite appealing. Cornbread tends to work well with this food combination - either sweet or the old-fashioned recipes. We always keep several different packets of cornbread mix on hand so that making a pan of cornbread or corn muffins is just a few minutes away. Simply add one egg and a bit of milk to most of the commercial mixes - and pop into a preheated oven.

Baked Beans & Franks: When you're craving a sweet combination of flavors - then baked beans can hit the spot. To set off the sweetness of the beans, pair with foods on the opposite end of the flavor spectrum such as pickled beets or pickled okra.

Chickpeas & Franks: When we use this flavor combination we serve the two ingredients separately. First, drain the chickpeas and allow them to cook in a non-stick skillet containing just a tab of extra virgin olive oil for at least 10 minutes. They will turn a beautiful golden brown color and have a lovely texture to them when you bite into them.

The franks can be left whole and roasted in the oven or toaster oven - or they can be sliced down the center, stuffed with a half-slice of cheese and placed into the oven. Or, you can wrap them in biscuit dough or a crescent roll and then bake. Each method has it's own unique flavor and brings something just a bit different to the dining table.

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