Thread: What kinds of "little" changes have you made to cut calories??

I make tasty snacks out of barely caloric veggies like cucumbers and celery. Both are bulky and make me full... and I can eat as much of them as I want inbetween meals when I feel like I want to eat.

You can slice the cucumbers and dip them in any number of low cal things, hot sauce, soy sauce, mustard, balsamic viniagrette. They act as a replacement for pototo chips when I want a late night snack.

I use light soy milk instead of fat free milk (Only 70 calories per cup), its thicker tastier and less calories that watered down-fat free

I use splenda instead of sugar.

I don't drink juice... its way more calories than nutritional value makes it worth if your dieting.

I MEASURE portions for cereal, pastas, rice -- to make sure I'm only eating a serving and not 3 like is easy to do when you just scoop on your plate.

Morning star sausage links (they are vegetarian) are only 80 cals for 2 of them, very very tasty -- great replacement for when you want a low cal breakfast meat.

Lots of salads, tablespoon of a reduced fat cheese adds in flavor without too many cals , a good fat free balsamic is only about 5 cals per serving so its a treat that you can really eat up guilt free.

Nuts may be good for you, but they are VERY high in calories, I only eat them for rare treats and stick to the portion (which is so little its hardly worth it).

I keep a freezer full of 300 calorie or less frozen vegetarian meals from lean cuisine, smart ones, and amy's and a few others. I can eat cheese pizza, fettacini alfredo, lasagna, angel hair pasta, other heavy meals for low calories when I want something thats a quick and easy no brainer.

'Better than peanut butter' sold at health food stores is delicious, low fat, and only 100 calories for 2 tablespoons vs the almost 300 calories per 2 tablespoons of regular peanut butter.

I use orowheat sandwhich thins for bread only 100 calories for a 2 peice bun...I can add in a slice of low fat cheese (45 cals) for a low cal lunch or add in a veggie burger (80-100 cals) for a satisfying dinner.

Frozen waffles, only 90 cals per slice, great for a treat.... using sugar free syrup (30 cals for a 1/4 cup VS 240 cals for a 1/4 cup of a regular syrup), usually only a table spoon, sometimes with a few slices of banana to make it interesting.

I can't believe its not butter spray instead of butter or margarine, only a few calories for 5 sprays.

Those are just a few of the ways I manage to eat tasty things and stay on calorie target... my goal is to get full, high volume, low cal.. and as delicious as possible :-)

HD, I LOVE those Sandwich thins. I started using them recently and they are soooo yummy.

And great idea on the waffle with SF syrup... I need to get some of those...that would definitely cure my sweet tooth

Originally Posted by Millania

hi kygirl-so far I have stopped using sugar alltogether and now use splenda or sweet and low for my coffee
I stopped using mayo(used to love it) now I use mustard instead
I used to love having a little cup of ice cream every other day now I have one spoon instead
I would eat 4 cookies now I eat 1 (if I am dying for something sweet)
Instead of regular ranch dressing which is my fav I use vinegarette
I drink more water and only 1 diet soda per day instead of 4 diet sodas per day
I love fried chicken and used to have it once per week but now I bake it or grill it instead
If I am craving something thats in my home(my mother bakes pies and all types of bad stuff about once a week) I have one spoon or a sliver instead of an entire piece
Good luck to you, let us all knw how your weight loss is going
I just started this week so it will be a very very long battle for me

Thanks Millania!

I have about 15 lbs to lose myself. I had bloodwork done and I am totally healthy except for about 15 lbs I need to get my BMI and body fat down a bit. I want to get my BMI down to about 23 and my body fat down to about 25-26%.
You can do it!!

Originally Posted by KMonte85

substitutions in the items you eat can be a big influence on cutting calories

Like applesauce instead of oil and yogurt instead of sour cream for baking.

Reduce the sugar when baking goodies and up the sweet spices like cinammon, nutmeg, or extracts.

Avacado or tomatillos or plain yogurt instead of mayonaise

When eating salad, get dressing on the side and dip your fork in the dressing instead of pouring it over your food

Eat soups with veggie based broth instead of cream or meat based broth.

Eat Albacore instead of tuna

Use turkey instead of pork or beef while cooking, when it allows


Of course just watching portion size, and not eating junk foods will do the trick too - but I'm sure you are already well aware of that!

KM, I love substituting applesauce although I don't allow myself to bake really anymore...too much temptation with sweets in the house And I don't want to ruin anyone else's diet by bringing into work all the time