Cut Calories Without Cutting Taste!

Cut Calories Without Cutting Taste!
By Lisa Paterson

If the word “diet” sounds depressing to you and you are really not ready to give up all those tasty, but not so healthy foods you have been indulging in, you might be thrilled to know that there are easy ways to cut calories without starving yourself. The more so, you don’t even have to refuse your favorite pastas, burgers, ice-creams and chocolate – just make the following tips a part of your eating routine and continue enjoying your regular diet!

Cheese
Choose a low-fat version and cut your fat intake by half. Try to substitute cheese with tofu gradually.

Coffee
Black coffee without sugar is known to lower appetite; but if you can’t have it plain, opt for a small cup, skimmed milk and sugar substitute.

Salad
Switch to a fat-free salad dressing – lime juice is great to add taste, for example. Olive oil is another healthy choice. But if you just can’t live without mayonnaise, at least go for low fat versions.

Fried Food
Grilled and broiled foods are as tasty as fried ones. However, if you still choose to fry do it on a non-stick pan that allows using less oil. Try fast stir-fry method in a wok with minimum oil.

Pizza
A thin crust, whole wheat pizza topped with a low-fat cheese is a great choice. Learn to bake your own healthy pizza instead of ordering or buying more calories loaded ones.

Pasta
Reduce portion size. Switch to whole wheat pastas and non-creamy sauce with more veggies.

Soups
If you can, opt for non-creamy soups. Ideally, make your soup at home and avoid unhealthy sodium content in canned soups. If you want creamy texture, use skimmed milk, boiled and pureed white beans, cauliflower or potato.

Burgers
Replace beef and pork with turkey and say good bye to cheese. Choose whole-wheat buns and load your burger with lots of veggies.

Doughnuts
Pick ones not covered with chocolate or glazed with sugar.

French Fries
Make them at home. Slice potatoes, spritz with olive oil and bake till crisp Add garlic or herbs.

Soda
Switch to diet versions. But the healthiest variant is to replace it with water and juices.

Smoothies
Use skimmed milk or yoghurt. Don’t add sugar – fresh fruits are tasteful enough and don’t need taste enhancers.

Ice-cream
Switching to low-fat ice-cream is effective in cutting calories only if you don’t tend to overeat it. Low-fat ice-cream is not as delicious as homemade frozen yoghurt – a great healthy alternative. Ice-creams in the form of frozen fruit juice have fewer calories than cream-based kinds.

Chocolate
Least loaded with calories option is dark chocolate; it is rich in antioxidants and good for heart!

Sandwiches
Make them with whole-wheat or whole-grain bread. Try whole-wheat pita bread – it is low cal and filling; stuff it with lean meat and lots of vegetables. Use fat-free salad dressings instead of mayonnaise – the yummy snack will not become less tasty!

Finally, how you eat is just as important as what you eat. Drop supersized portions; use smaller bowls and plates – oftentimes, you end up stuffing yourself only because there is still food on your plate. Don’t snack all the time without actually being hungry. Don’t eat just like that, as a time pass or just because you are in the party where one can grab any snack for free.

Adopt a moderate way in eating and there will be no need for any diet. Food is definitely a great pleasure, but don’t make it the goal of your life. Be aware of the calories and cut them wisely, without sacrificing the favorite taste!

These cupcake toppers are certainly not boring and won't blow the diet too much either.

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