Easy Ways To Cut 100 Calories A Day

Calorie counting for weight loss may seem daunting, but cutting calories does not have to be nearly as difficult as it sounds. By making a few simple changes, you can easily cut 100 calories per day; that's 700 calories per week. It takes a deficit of 3,500 calories to lose 1 lb. Using some simple tips to cut 100 calories per day will enable you to trim 3,100 calories--or nearly 1 lb., in 31 days. Combine them to cut even more calories, and you'll drop pounds more quickly.

Cut Liquid Calories

One of the easiest ways to cut calories is by switching or lightening up on liquid calories; specifically, sugar-laden beverages. Trade in 10 oz. of your regular soda for diet soda or choose 8 oz. sugar-free lemonade in place of 8 oz. regular, prepared lemonade. Even healthy beverages can be full of calories, such as 100 percent fruit juice. Instead of drinking 12 oz. of orange juice with breakfast, eat a whole orange. You'll cut calories and add a few grams of dietary fiber to boot.
You can still enjoy "fun" beverages, such as chocolate milk and alcohol and cut calories at the same time. Substitute 1 cup of skim milk with 1 tsp. chocolate syrup for 1 cup of commercial whole chocolate milk and drink two 12 oz. light beers instead of two regular beers.

Modify Your Main Meals

Breakfast is still the most important meal of the day, but that doesn't mean it has to be calorie-laden. Substitute 3 oz. turkey sausage for the same amount of pork sausage; top your whole-grain waffles with 3 tbsp. sugar-free pancake syrup instead of 3 tbsp. regular maple syrup or top your whole grain bagel with 1.5 oz of fat-free cream cheese in place of full-fat cream cheese.
Trimming calories from your lunch and dinner meals is painless and may be as simple as slightly reducing portion sizes or making an easy swap such as choosing minestrone soup in place of broccoli cheddar. Eat your chicken breast skinless versus skin-on or take half of your 6-oz. steak home in a doggie bag (eat only 3 oz). If you're game, lose the meat all-together on your thin-crust pizza (substitute with veggies) for a significant calorie savings. Bread can be a main source of calories so it's an easy place to cut back. For example, eat your hamburger or sandwich open-faced (without the top of the bun).

Use Low- or Non-Fat Condiments

This category may just be the easiest for trimming calories. You won't sacrifice flavor, just calories by switching to low- or non-fat condiments or cutting down on your portion sizes. Start with your salad by drizzling 2 tsp. of creamy ranch dressing on your salad instead of heaping on 2 tbsp. Use 3 tsp. Dijonnaise for sandwich spreads or salads in place of tsp. regular mayonnaise.
Side dishes can be another condiment calorie trap. Top your potato with 3 oz. of fat-free sour cream, plain yogurt or even salsa in lieu of regular sour cream or enjoy 1/2 cup of steamed fresh broccoli (plain) instead of 1/2 cup of frozen broccoli topped with cheese sauce.