What Are Some Of Your Calorie Cutting Tricks?

RosanaRosanaDana

Besides Not Eating of course. For me, I fill a 64 oz. glass pitcher with water and slice fruit every night (oranges, lemons, limes, strawberry, kiwi, peaches, whatever I have). By morning the water is wonderfully flavored and I set my goal to drink it all that day. I never drink soda, diet or otherwise.

Branstin

I have increased my protein to counteract my reduction in calories for weight loss.

I drink plenty of water and also drink Diet Pepsi.

pleasepleaseno

cayenne pepper and mustard! low calorie and lots of flavor

seltzermint555

cayenne pepper and mustard! low calorie and lots of flavor

I agree! Also cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, fresh basil, etc.

Using less cheese on things is a huge benefit to me. My husband and I still regularly make and eat some of my old recipes with tweaks, and one of the biggest things is using less cheese. For example pizza, pasta, Mexican entrees, etc. 1/4 to 1/2 cup of cheese instead of 1 cup or more as recommended.

Shropshire1959

No trick .... PORTION SIZE

barbiecat

no cheese, bread, peanut butter, butter, salad dressing, dessert, alcohol

joshbond85

Plan all of the calories ahead of time. When you see how much you're allowed to eat, you'll start to ask "am I actually hungry?"

Jess__I__Can

Plan all of the calories ahead of time. When you see how much you're allowed to eat, you'll start to ask "am I actually hungry?"

Yes, pre-log.

NaomiJFoster

More protein for my breakfast.
Portion sizes.
Balancing carbs/proteins/fats more reasonably.
Eating out once a week instead of 2 or 3 times.
Holding myself accountable and logging any 'extras' that I eat or snack on.
Stopped lying to myself (Oh one more cookie won't make a difference!)

jennagoogles13

no cheese, bread, peanut butter, butter, salad dressing, dessert, alcohol

I couldn't never give up cheese or peanut butter for the rest of my life!

lemonsnowdrop

no cheese, bread, peanut butter, butter, salad dressing, dessert, alcohol

That sounds miserable.

I use Miracle Whip in my tuna instead of mayo, since it doesn't make too big of a difference to me. Also, I use PB2 when I'm craving peanut butter but know I want more than a couple tablespoons!

CindyMarcuzAdams

no cheese, bread, peanut butter, butter, salad dressing, dessert, alcohol

I couldn't never give up cheese or peanut butter for the rest of my life!

If it wasn't for cheese and peanut butter I would starve to death...

hyg99

Think I need to be grateful I don't like peanut butter...

ChrisM8971

MORE cheese, bread, peanut butter, butter, salad dressing, dessert, alcohol

Fixed

jeannemarie333

I make sugar free orange jello and put a can of crushed pineapple in it while it sets (pineapple in it's own juice, not syrup), then top with cool whip lite and it feels like I am indulging in a very delicious adventure

Also, green tea throughout the day, and I agree with using spices and herbs to kick up the flavor of foods. I switched to evoo instead of butter and love Greek yogurt.

Agree with balancing carbs, proteins and fats and stay away from high glycemic foods.

Great topic!!

kommodevaran

Not sure if these can be called tricks, but:
5 meals a day and not eating between meals.
Portion control. I have reduced the amount of rice, pasta, bread, pizza, fruit, cheese, chips, chocolate, nuts and milk I ingest at a time.
Frequency. I eat chocolate, chips, cookies, cake, ice cream less often.
Drink water instead of soda.
Cook from scratch instead of eating premade.
Stopped using sugar in tea and milk in coffee.
Baking fish, meat instead of frying.
Yoghurt/smoothies w/fruit and nut butters instead of ice cream.
ETA: I eat better quality food, no low-fat low-cal anything, I'll rather reduce portion size.

Jazz_2014

Subsitution. I used to drink sweet tea with meals. Now I drink water with lots of lemon. Pick something and subsitute it with something better. Fried foods replaced with baked or grilled. Beef is replaced with chicken and fish, the list is long.

Janette3x4

I make sugar free orange jello and put a can of crushed pineapple in it while it sets (pineapple in it's own juice, not syrup), then top with cool whip lite and it feels like I am indulging in a very delicious adventure

Also, green tea throughout the day, and I agree with using spices and herbs to kick up the flavor of foods. I switched to evoo instead of butter and love Greek yogurt.

Agree with balancing carbs, proteins and fats and stay away from high glycemic foods.

Great topic!!

That jello sounds so n good! I must make some. Thanks!

jennagoogles13

I used to always use some form of a carb as a side dish (potatoes, bread, pasta, rice) whereas now, I use veggies. I steam them, roast them, or sautée them and it's amazing how many calories I save for more meat

MaggieLoo79

I used to always use some form of a carb as a side dish (potatoes, bread, pasta, rice) whereas now, I use veggies. I steam them, roast them, or sautée them and it's amazing how many calories I save for more meat

Me too! :happy:

RosanaRosanaDana

Plan all of the calories ahead of time. When you see how much you're allowed to eat, you'll start to ask "am I actually hungry?"

I agree with that big time. I try to plan a week ahead for shopping but log the day before. That way I know just what I'm going to eat and can stay within my calorie plan.

sassymanatee

I try to buy low calorie things at the grocery store for each craving I have. For example: instead of cakes and ice cream, I will get those applesauce pouches for my sweet tooth cravings.

LessHeavyVeggie

I used to always use some form of a carb as a side dish (potatoes, bread, pasta, rice) whereas now, I use veggies. I steam them, roast them, or sautée them and it's amazing how many calories I save for more meat

Me too! :happy:

Me three! (well, not meat, but the carbs/veggies bit!

Also I've down massively on butter - I cook with it and have sandwiches/toast fairly often. I realised that 5g is enough to fry some veg/eggs and I don't bother buttering my bread anymore! Also with cheese I've gone from mature to extra mature cheddar and use a lot less but still get the flavour - I find using the small grater tricks my eyes into thinking there's a lot more there even though the scales show there's less.

RHachicho

No tricks XD. But I guess that glazing vegetables for grilling with low cal cooking spray probably counts. Works like a charm and doesn't rack up the calories like glazing them with olive oil. I enjoy grilled asparagus way way too much.

Oh and topping meals with about 10g of grated Parmesan cheese and 10g of fresh sumac mixed together. Doesn't add to the calories much and provides mucho tasty.

earthboundmisfit

I stopped drinking alcohol. I like peanut butter but never have more than 2 tablespoons in one day. I cook veggies with low cal cooking spray and lots of spices.

Spreyton22K

These substitutions started out as a way to deal with some medical issues but they had advantages in the calorie department as well....probably going to be repeating many:

Yoghurt - we make our own. Savoury or sweet options
Pumpkin instead of Potatoes - nightshade veg was an issue. Advantage lower carbs.....Baked with Cajun seasoning, paprika and parsley.
Using oil from spay container. With roasted veg put 1-2 tsp oil in a plastic bag with whatever seasonings and shake the veg around it coats them all nicely without the need to sit them in a layer of oil.
Don't have to deny all your favourite treats but learn new ways with fruit. Baked apples, roasted in a bath of maple syrup, vanilla bean, rum essence, orange zest and juice topped with complimentary flavoured yoghurt all dusted with a mix of sweet spice, cinnamon and ginger is an awesome dessert.
Don't be afraid to 'play' with flavours and seasonings too......
Try marinating meats more often then bake, discarding the marinade lovely flavours without extra calories or often the need for tomato sauce, mayo etc.
The maturer the cheese the less you need for flavour.
Baking - get into loving your own baked biscuits and slices. Even if the calorie counts are similar I believe what you make at home is always going to be superior quality than store bought or even artisan bakery produced.....also great way to involve everyone in what they eat. Those with kids may find that the littlies (or not so littlies) are more likely to eat what they have helped make.

malibu927

I've gone from 2-3 24 ounce bottles of pop a day to one can of diet, drinking water the rest of the time.
When we have burgers I'll usually go bunless unless the calories I have left are fairly high.
Weigh everything, especially when you discover that a pint of Ben & Jerrys that says "about 4 servings" is much closer to 5 when you see the weight of the container.

JBcat123

I have a cup of strawberries. pretty low cal or I have pickles (Polish dill pickles) which are 10 calories per piece.

mblair1968

plain yellow mustard, all the spices already mentioned. Increase protein. 1 whole egg, and then egg whites, high fiber tortillas & breads, beans and chicken breast with spices, lots of soups, lots of water. I still have my diet coke.

shortntall1

For my sweet tooth, I usually have either a SF fudgesicle (50 calories), chocolate malt pushup from Schwans (90 cal) or a WW raspberry chocolate ice cream on a stick (70 cal, I think). I have it at night while watching tv.

bethira

Plan all of the calories ahead of time. When you see how much you're allowed to eat, you'll start to ask "am I actually hungry?"

This ... and it works!