The 1200-Calorie-A-Day Menu Cookbook by Nancy S. Hughes (1994, Paperback)

With the recipes in this book I found that in order to keep the meals low-calorie/low-fat you had to cook with ingredients that are processed and artificial such as butter sprays and butter seasonings, light margarine, non-fat cheese and other diary, and egg substitutes etc. I guess I was looking for more of a healthier way to cook low-calorie meals. Most of the recipes are not easy to make if you are in a hurry. I found most to be labor intensive with ingredients you would not normally have as a staple. Another con was that all the recipes served 4 to 6 people. Not good if you are alone, unless you don't mind eating the same thing for a few days in a row. Also....no pictures. It's nice to see what you're cooking.

What do I like or love about this book? The WHOLE book! Every recipe has flare and excitement that we've left out of our everyday meals. French toast w/ warm maple syrup and fresh bananas, sausage links and cold milk. 344 Calories, 6.8g total fat per serving - each recipe has the calories and total fat listed. Some of the dinner's are now our favorites. I have a cookbook collection and have to say that this is right up on top! Shrimp Linguine and olives w/ sauteed zuchinni! All the recipes are easy to put together, you just have to set aside your old ways and do something new - very tasty. Choose a breakfast, lunch and dinner and add a dessert and you'll never go above 1200 calories in a day! I was very pleasantly surprised. Most recipes are 4 servings and some desserts state makes 24 (choc. cupcakes!) This would be a terrific wedding, birthday or holiday gift. Try It!