Hairy Dieters UK

I watched the first episode on catch-up last night. I didn't quite understand why they had to go so low because I thought the dietitian said they should be eating 1/2 what they were eating - ie. 1750 calories, which would be reasonable.

But what I though was interesting was that they weren't given any guidance and were left to figure it out for themselves - maybe that's a bad thing or maybe that's the premise of the programme.

The way they approached it was great - they though about how to make lasagne healthier and less calorific. They replaced the pasta layers with leeks sliced and laid out into sheets, dry fried lean beef to make the ragu and made a sauce - rather than make a cheese sauce they simply made a white sauce with semi-skimmed milk and cornflour and used strong cheeses (mature cheddar and parmesan) as a topping so you wouldn't notice the lack of cheese in the sauce.

As a concept I think that is brilliant - showing that you don't have to go 'low-fat' to adjust your meals, that just by some careful cooking and upping the flavours you can have a tasty meal. They didn't show the calorie content but everyone seemed to enjoy it.

As TV presenters go they are pretty likeable - just ordinary blokes who seemed genuinely shocked that they were so overweight.

I saw the first episode last night as well - me and my boyfriend are planning on trying some of the recipes (we've ordered the book from amazon)

I think it's a really good thing and they do seem really genuinely shocked that they were so obese - I read an interview with them in a magazine and they have lost about 3 stone in from the beginning of the show until now so they're doing well.

The one thing I find I personally like about it is that it appeals to my boyfriend! He is a chef and doesn't agree with low fat or no fat anything, and always cooks with loads of butter and pasta etc, so he's seen that even chefs can find ways of cooking versions of classic dishes without compromising on flavour and we're now going to go on this journey together.

I can't wait! If anyone wants, I'll review the recipes and maybe post a couple

We had the leek lasagne last night and it was really good - I have left overs for my lunch today i have the book too and it has some great recipes in.

I made the Cassoulet that was shown in epsidoe two on Tuesday........464 calories and it was delicous.

I went to school with Simon, he was in the year above me........ Smashing bloke.

He had that beard when he was 14.

I love the Hairy Bikers!

I watched this I love the lasagne recipe with leeks instead of pasta - useful for me as I gone gluten free, using Quorn mince instead of beef makes it even less calories.

Last night's was good - I'm definitely going to try that chicken korma recipe. It's my husband's favourite Indian dish but I never eat it because its usually so high calorie.

And they are looking really good - that Body Pod that can measure body fat is intriguing, and what a reduction they've managed - 44% to 32% is brilliant.

I thought the pizza dough mix as a substitute for pastry was inspired, I wonder if it would work for fruit pies too. Not that I eat pies regularly but I do like to do a traditional pudding on a Sunday when my men are at home and they love an apple or rhubarb pie.