Cloudy with a chance of (healthy) meatballs

The kids and I watched the season premier of Biggest Loser a couple of nights ago. (Go Abby!) During the first commercial break they showed a preview of the movie, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Were they kidding? Food falling from the sky is every overweight person’s biggest fantasy – or nightmare depending on how you look at it. Was NBC being ironic or just stupid?

From what I understand, there is a positive message about not eating junk food in the movie – at least according to the review I read in the Denver Post this morning. Even if it didn’t, I’m planning to take the kids to see it this weekend anyway. It looks like a blast.

But it got me thinking. First, what does the town of Swallow Falls do with all the rotting leftovers? Compost them? Put them in giant Ziploc bags and freeze them? Ship them to starving people in third world countries? I guess I’ll have to see the movie to find out.

Second, is there such a thing as a healthy meatball? I set off to find out using Food Blog Search. Here’s what I found…

Healthy meatball recipe roundup

This Mama’s Zucchini-Carrot Meatloaf – use the meatloaf recipe to make meatballs. Sauté the golf ball sized meatballs in a pan for a few minutes, then cook them in marinara sauce.
Skinny Italian Turkey Meatballs from Gina’s Weight Watchers Recipes
Turkey Meatballs over Greens from the kitchn
Meatballs with Tomato Sauce & Peperonata with Cannellini Beans from Essentially Healthy Food
Mini Turkey Meatballs from Sarah’s Cucina Bella
Easy Turkey Meatballs from Erin's Kitchen
Beef and Sausage Meatballs in Tomato Sauce and Recipe for Phase One Turkey Meatballs with Romano Cheese and Herbs from Kalyn’s Kitchen (both are South Beach Friendly)
Spinach Florentine Meatballs from Enlightened Cooking
Sundried Tomato Meat Balls from Cindalou’s Kitchen Blues
Almost-Perfect Meatballs (and Tofu-balls!) from Food for Laughter
Beef and Sausage Meatballs in Tomato Sauce from Kalyn’s Kitchen
Fast & Frugal Friday: Bison Meatballs and Frozen Assets: Light & Healthy Turkey Meatballs from Savor the Thyme

Tips to make meatballs healthier

Use a lean meat. Many of the recipes above use turkey. You can use lean beef, venison or buffalo, too. Tofu crumbles are a choice for vegetarians.
Instead of premade bread crumbs, make your own from whole wheat bread. Toast the bread until it’s dried out. Then put in a food processor to turn into crumbs.
Instead of bread crumbs, use oatmeal. Instant oatmeal is the most like bread crumbs. But if you don’t mind the texture, use old fashioned or steel cut oats.
Instead of a whole eggs, use three egg whites. If a recipe asks for 2 eggs, I like to use 1 whole egg and three whites.
Experiment! Add shredded vegetables to your meatball mix. Carrots, summer squash and zucchini all work well.

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