15 Ways to Cut 100 Calories
You don’t have to give up all of your favorite foods to shed those extra pounds! To stop weight gain, most Americans simply need to add 2,000 more steps (one mile) and eat 100 fewer calories each day. From passing on the croutons to opting for grilled meat, small changes in the types of food you eat and in the portion sizes you choose can quickly add up to 100 reduced calories. This can help you drop those pounds or maintain you current weight—and you won’t miss a thing!
Here are 15 ideas to help you cut calories during your day:
1. Go turkey. Trade a side of regular bacon or sausage for the turkey version with fewer calories—and less fat, too!
2. Spread your muffin, bagel, or toast with two teaspoons of fat-free or light cream cheese.
3. Greens are good, so enjoy your salad but pass on the croutons.
4. Use mustard on your favorite sandwich instead of mayo and save 80 calories per tablespoon.
5. Blot away. If you’re eating pizza, blot off the grease with a napkin.
6. Opt for grilled meat in place of breaded or fried. Flour and bread crumbs add calories and absorb more cooking oil.
7. Use low-sodium chicken broth instead of oil to sauté meat and veggies.
8. Substitute non-fat Greek yogurt for a serving of sour cream.
9. When eating out, skip the BBQ sauce and ketchup.
10. Munch on Wendy’s value-menu fries instead of a baked potato with sour cream and chives. In this case, fries are the lower-calorie treat. Surprising, but true!
11. You don’t have to eliminate dessert to cut calories. Choose apple, peach, or blueberry over pecan or cream pie.
12. Pass on that piece of cake. Select a cupcake instead.
13. Need to satisfy a sudden craving for potato chips? Just be sure to control your portions by pouring an individual serving into a bowl instead of eating from the bag.
14. Munch on 1/2 cup of fresh grapes instead of the snack box of raisins.
15. At happy hour, savor a single glass of wine instead of gulping a few beers.
References: Women’s Health, March 2009; America on the Move, September 2007 (americaonthemove.org)
Tasty Snacks under 200 Calories
Try one of these healthy snacks the next time you’re in the mood to munch!
- Dunk two celery stalks in two tablespoons of light bleu cheese dressing: 90 calories, 6 g fat.
- Toast one slice of multigrain bread. Spread with one tablespoon of goat cheese, then cover with one sliced tomato. Add black pepper and a pinch of dried thyme: 133 calories, 4 g fat.
- Fill a six-inch whole-wheat pita with two tablespoons of hummus. Squeeze with lemon juice and sprinkle with paprika: 160 calories, 6 g fat.
- Dip one piece of mozzarella string cheese into 1/4 cup of warm marinara sauce: 95 calories, 3.8 g fat.
- Pop one bag of 100-calorie popcorn. Season with 1/2 teaspoon of cumin, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon chili powder: 100 calories, 3.5 g fat.
Reference: SparkPeople