The Podleski sisters, Janet and Greta of Eat, Shrink and Be Merry, will be in the Ask a Host spotlight for the next three weeks. This is your chance to ask them any food-related questions, especially about healthier eating options. The warm weather is on its way and I for one need help getting bikini body ready.

Today's question comes from Kate who asks: I'm making your Shockolate Cheesecake ( Feb's cooking club recipe) where you use sour cream and cottage cheese to lighten the recipe. What are some other tricks you use to make recipes healthier?

Janet and Greta: Be creative with substitutions for mayonnaise in sandwiches. For example, try replacing fat-laden mayonnaise in egg salad sandwiches with fibre-filled hummus (lemon-dill hummus is especially tasty!).

When making pizza or casseroles, use cheese with stronger flavour so you can use less of it and still get great taste. Try sharp cheddar, Swiss or Parmesan in sauces or casseroles. For pizza, mix part-skim mozzarella with freshly grated Parmesan try Monterey Jack. A little goes a long way! Look for part-skim varieties with 40% less fat.

Substitute 2% evaporated milk for some or all of the artery-clogging cream in soups and sauces.

Add fibre to muffins and loaves by blending all-purpose flour with wheat bran in a 3:1 ratio (1½ cups flour plus ½ cup wheat bran), or use high-fibre Robin Hood Nutri-Flour Blend, which bakes like white flour but contains healthy wheat bran.

Do you have food question for the Podleski sisters? Don't be shy. This is your chance to tap into their wealth of food knowledge. Please post your questions for them below.

Ask a Hostis featured Tuesdays.

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Related:

• February Cooking Club Results: Shockolate Cheesecake
• Ask a Host with Janet and Greta: What's a Healthy Way to Thicken Sauces?
• Ask the "Big Cheese": What Happens to the Food Cooked During Taping of Shows?