Regardless of the diet you follow, how much you ultimately weigh depends on the calories you consume. Eliminating 500 calories from your diet can help you lose a pound a week. Do that consistently, and you'll have an impressive weight loss by the end of the year. Keeping your energy up and your tummy full on fewer calories than you're used to consuming are key to losing weight. Your diet plan should include low-calorie substitutes for high-calorie foods, and that includes your snack foods.
Fruit
Fresh fruit is a healthy, nutrient-filled low-calorie snack that is well suited for an on-the-go nosh. Some fruits are more low-calorie than others, however. Choose an orange, a peach or a cup of grapes, and you'll get 55 to 70 calories. An apple, banana or slice of fresh pineapple will give you 80 and 105 calories. Although some canned fruits and fruit cocktails may be acceptable, avoid any that are packed in sweetened syrup. Also stay away from dried fruit snacks, as their sugar and calorie content is much higher than that of fresh fruit.
Vegetables
A balanced diet includes plenty of fresh vegetables. Like fruit, vegetables are filled with vital nutrients and are naturally low in calories. One 4-inch stick of peeled cucumber, for instance, weighs in at a single calorie, while a medium celery stalk has only six calories. Carrots, rich in vitamins A and C, have 25 calories each, while one stalk of potassium-rich broccoli has 11 calories. If you want to dip them in dressing, stick with low-calorie or reduced-fat versions. A tablespoon of reduced-calorie Italian salad dressing has fewer than 30 calories.
Nibbles by the Handful
Instead of reaching for a bowl of potato chips or corn chips, give a bowl of popcorn a go. A full cup of air-popped popcorn has just 31 calories. Instead of upping the calorie count by drenching it in melted butter, try a variety of seasonings, such as cinnamon, grated parmesan cheese or a sprinkling of uncooked, sugar-free flavored gelatin. For something a bit heartier, try 1/2 cup of plain oyster crackers or half a handful of dry-roasted peanuts, which have about 100 calories each.
Cracker Snacks
Avoid those orange cheese crackers you see so often in vending machines, as there are more suitable options in the cracker category. One saltine-type cracker has fewer than 15 calories, while a single whole-wheat cracker has 20 calories. You can top your cracker with a spread, but some spreads have many more calories than others. A tablespoon of peanut butter has nearly 100 calories, while a tablespoons of low-fat cream cheese has just 30. A small slice or 1-inch cube of cheddar cheese has nearly 70 calories.
Member Comments