Share your trick, plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Always_Smiling_D

So not all of us are on the clean eating train, I do admire those who are. I myself, being a Latina girl enjoy a lot of the not so wholesome foods with lots of seasonings and flavorings n yup, now and then it will be fried... but of course along the way we all learn lil tricks which will help clean up our diet some without having to go completely clean and still gain results wanted...

As I said Latina - my plate will consist of rice and some type of meat usually in sauce or fried, so I figured that brown rice can be prep'd exactly the same as I used to do the white rice and yes that includes the yellow rice with all the goodies, except of course it is brown-yellow rice and well the meats still done in sauce but now I measure make sure it is withing serving before I place on plate and when I fry, I do so in olive oil or in an electric fryer I recently purchased that requires no oil whatsoever cuz the meet will fry in its own juices and fats... (much healthier)

At restaurants, no salad for me - plus when you look up nutritional values some of the salads are higher in calories that items from the main menu - so I ask for what I want and as soon as I place my order I ask for a to-go box. When my meal arrives, which of course could easily feed 2 or even 3 of me, I cut everything straight thru the middle and place it in the box (next day lunch *wink*)

I would love to hear what are some tricks you have used to curve your diet without fully giving up all the food you love and find yourself craving... at home and at restaurants

westendcurls

I like a little chocolate daily but i found that if i have milk chocolate i really over do the "little" part of that so i started buying dark flavored chocolate ( plain dark is not so great ) but i now actually prefer mint dark chocolate over almost any form of milk chocolate.

I've totally replaced sour cream with Greek yogurt and really can't taste any difference.

I replace the oil in my cookies with apple sauce makes them softer and less calories. (Works with any baked goods really )

I found low calorie bread at Sprouts farmers market (trader joes off shoot) that is actually filling and yummy, unlike that SarahLee crap thats like eating air.

Beans! Beans are so filling!!!

jodiehong

I'm the same way... I don't like to order salads when I go out because I feel deprived, especially when my hubby is eating a juicy burger next to me. I just go with smarter choices (e.g. having the burger over a bed of greens instead of the bun) or I make one of my daughters share my entree! :P I RARELY order anything other than water with lemon when I eat out. It's empty calories. If I order a cocktail (mainly for special ocassion), I ask the server which one has least calories.

When I'm not eating out, I can eat pretty well. Mostly chicken, fish, and veggies. I use a lot of creole seasoning and spices. I also like to indulge in dark chocolate. I get the low carb dark chocolate (brand is Simply Lite). They have it Trader Joe's for $2 each pack and I eat only one square a day.

bcattoes

Olive oil instead of butter or lard
HIgh fiber pasta instead of regular pasta
High fiber wraps instead of bread (sometimes)
100% wholemeal bread instead of white bread
Put extra vegetables in everything
Thin crust veggie pizza over thick crust with greasy meats
Red sauce over alfredo
Vinaigrette over creamy dressings
Reduced fat dairy over full fat
fajitas over cheesy or fried dishes
Stir fry over breaded and fried options
Sushi w/o cream cheese or tempura
filet mignon over a well marbles ribeye
Grilled meat/fish and veggie sides over fried or saucy meat with fries

msbrownbeauty87

these are some great tips, thanks

SezxyStef

to be honest the only thing I have changed is

Plain NF greek yogurt for FF sour cream because it is better
Skim milk for 2% Milk cause it's yummy

other than that I still eat the same foods...just less of them...sometime more cause of the calories...ie bacon/gravy/cottage cheese.

twixlepennie

During weight loss I did lots of switches, chosing low calorie options when it was available. Now I'm in maintenance and the only thing I've carried over is diet soda instead of regular. And Progresso light soups, because I like them better than regular soup

Always_Smiling_D

Thank you for all the great comments... I think this is a great way to help each other with our goals - I know that lil by lil we all start changing things.

It doesn't have to be all or nothing - lil changes can bring forward great results.

jayjay12345654321

Back when I used to cook my food, I switched from a 12-inch skillet to an 8-inch skillet. That way I didn't fix too much. I didn't have the self-restraint to save half for later if I cooked a double portion.

granolagirl

Wow, thanks everyone! Great tips!

I use shirataki noodles or spaghetti squash instead of regular spaghetti noodles.

I drink warm broth before I go out to eat so that I am knda full before I get to restaurant.

Drink water, water, water!

granolagirl

Oh, yeah and at home I eat from a small salad plate instead of a larger plate. It makes me think I am eating a larger portion that what I really am.

prattiger65

If has been my experience that if I hit my macros and calories without restricting my diet, it is much easier to stay on track. In the beginning I tried all of that but found if I didn't eat food that I liked, I would eventually crash and over eat. Now I have found that I actually like some lower calorie foods, but I eat whatever I want, just not ALL OF IT.

Always_Smiling_D

bump, only cuz I know there are many many more lil tricks out there

rahlpn

Have you tried substituting quinoa for rice? I tried the brown rice thing and it just doesn't taste good to me at all! Quinoa has changed my life, lol. I eat it in/on everything; chili, tacos/fajitas, soups, salads, by itself as a side dish, with lots of veggies mixed in. Love it.
Oh yeah, and spaghetti squash! Now I can have 2 cups squash instead of just one cup pasta for way fewer calories. I like it with marinara and sauteed sliced zucchini or grilled chicken and Ragu reduced fat alfredo.

ninerbuff

So not all of us are on the clean eating train, I do admire those who are. I myself, being a Latina girl enjoy a lot of the not so wholesome foods with lots of seasonings and flavorings n yup, now and then it will be fried... but of course along the way we all learn lil tricks which will help clean up our diet some without having to go completely clean and still gain results wanted...

As I said Latina - my plate will consist of rice and some type of meat usually in sauce or fried, so I figured that brown rice can be prep'd exactly the same as I used to do the white rice and yes that includes the yellow rice with all the goodies, except of course it is brown-yellow rice and well the meats still done in sauce but now I measure make sure it is withing serving before I place on plate and when I fry, I do so in olive oil or in an electric fryer I recently purchased that requires no oil whatsoever cuz the meet will fry in its own juices and fats... (much healthier)

At restaurants, no salad for me - plus when you look up nutritional values some of the salads are higher in calories that items from the main menu - so I ask for what I want and as soon as I place my order I ask for a to-go box. When my meal arrives, which of course could easily feed 2 or even 3 of me, I cut everything straight thru the middle and place it in the box (next day lunch *wink*)

I would love to hear what are some tricks you have used to curve your diet without fully giving up all the food you love and find yourself craving... at home and at restaurants

At restaurants I split entrees with my DW or just eat half of it or less and bag the rest for take home. I eat white rice practically every day, but not more than 1 cup total. And I "cheat" everyday with something, but it's always counted toward my daily calorie allowance.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition