Low-Calorie Versions of Your Favorite Comfort Foods

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Pancakes - Avoid the boxed stuff, and try a combination of banana and oats

Pancake mixes are certainly a convenient option when you don't have time to lose in the morning, but they're often made with enriched flour and partially hydrogenated oil—in other words trans fat. On average, a dry pancake mix prepared as directed (with the addition of eggs, vegetable oil and milk) will yield 250 calories per serving, or about four pancakes.

But did you know you can prepare pancakes in the same amount of time with just four everyday ingredients? In a blender, mix together 1 ripe banana, 2 large eggs, 1/2 tsp baking powder and 1/2 cup rolled oats. Cook the pancakes as you normally would in a nonstick pan. One serving of five pancakes has just 200 calories, plus extra fiber and protein.