Downsize Your Diet..."DietBytes by Sandy"

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

In the midst of holiday fun, many people find that their clothes are fitting tighter and their hips are growing wider. "I'm just too busy to workout right now," they explain, or "It's too hard to eat right when there's temptation everywhere!" It's actually not that hard at all! Try some of these pain-free ways to cut calories this season so you can get back on track in 2010.


In order to lose 1 pound, you must burn 3,500 calories. If that seems overwhelming to you, let me put it this way: Just slashing 50 calories a day can cause you to lose 5 pounds in a year! Here are some tactics to help:


1.) Measure (and reduce) spreads & condiments:
Instead of mindlessly smearing peanut butter on your bread, take out a spoon and measure one spoonful. You can cut up to 200 calories this way!
Switch from regular mayo to light or fat-free mayo (you'll save 40 calories per tablespoon).
Instead of regular cream cheese, switch to The Laughing Cow Light spreadable cheese (you'll save about 30 calories).


2.) Ditch the regular soda already!
Switch to diet soda and save 150 calories per 12 ounce can.
Or switch to seltzer or soda water and save the same amount.


3.) Swap out regular chips for baked chips and you'll save 70 calories per 2 ounce bag.


4.) Replace regular beer with light beer and you'll save 30 calories per 12 ounce beer.


5.) Enlighten your morning cup of joe by replacing cream with half and half...or go with skim... and save 50-100 calories.


6.) Banish the butter: One "pat" of butter has 35 calories...you really won't miss it, I promise.


7.) Scoop-a-fy your bagel: Hollowing out the insides of your bagel will cut 100 calories.


8.) Cut the Cheese: Not literally! Skip the cheese from your sandwich or salad at lunch and you'll save up to 200 calories.


9.) Make it baked (potato) instead of mashed: Whether you're at a restaurant or at home...mashed potatoes often include fatty additives like milk, cream, and butter. Ask for your tuber plain and you'll save up to 300 calories!


10.) Don't clean your plate: My personal favorite tip -- There's no one holding a gun to your head telling you to finish every morsel at meal time. If you leave some food left over at every meal, you can cut 100-200 calories every day.


Healthy Eating!

Sandy Sfikas, RD, LDN
http://sandysrd.wordpress.com