What Are Some Of Your Calorie Cutting Tricks?

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Replies

  • sweetnlow30
    sweetnlow30 Posts: 497 Member
    Nothing secret about my tips but here are some things that have helped me:

    Prelog my day each morning

    I eat the same thing for lunch every day with slight variations. It is easier for me to plan and I am not sick of it yet!

    I never drink my calories besides one coffee a day. If I decide to have something like a smoothie, I consider it a meal replacement.

    I keep tempting foods like baked goods out of sight. My husband has a cupboard for his own treats since he is bulking. I find I crave less when I don't have to look at it

    I save a good amount of calories for a bed time snack/ treat every night. Its usually fruit and ice cream or a salty snack. It's a reward for staying on plan that day and the calories are accounted for.

    I enjoy taking traditional recipes and making them lighter. Sometimes I will create my own mini casserole as a side to the family's higher calorie dish. I use less cheese on mine and weigh out the items so I have a calorie controlled dish of my own

    I use a smaller plate at dinner time. It really does feel like I am getting more food when I fill a small plate and I feel more satisfied. Your mindset is important when sticking to a calorie reduced plan.
  • trainguy917
    trainguy917 Posts: 366 Member
    no cheese, bread, peanut butter, butter, salad dressing, dessert, alcohol

    I agree with all of these except for, well, most of them. Cheese is high in calcium and protein. Peanut butter is one of the most amazingly versatile foods in the world nutritionally. Whole wheat breads are wonderful sources of whole grains, fiber, and even protein if you choose wisely. Salad dressing is so broad that I don't know what you mean. You eat your salads with no dressing at all? What about the fact that you need some fat in order to absorb some of the nutrients in the salad most effectively? Oil and vinegar is great on a salad and good for you. Butter, dessert, and alcohol I'll give you, but not 100% of the time. The key is portion control. To me, no food is completely forbidden. There are every day foods, every week foods, and special occasion foods.
  • sabolfitwife
    sabolfitwife Posts: 423 Member
    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!!

    Your Jello recipe sounds absolutely delicious! I will have to try that, maybe even this weekend for a healthy 4th of July bbq dessert :-)

    I myself like to pre-log my foods for the day (usually the night before while I make my lunch for work) so I can see how many calories I'll be taking in throughout the day. Then I go by how I feel. If I'm hungrier than I thought I'd be I try to eat some extra protein. Lots of water, no sodas and I've been trying to add in more fresh veggies as they're low in calories and fill you up.
  • amberj32
    amberj32 Posts: 663 Member

    I've been slicing up banana, putting it in a ziplock bag, tossing in a little bit of hot cocoa powder, shaking the crap out of it, and then freezing it. The result is a delicious banana chocolaty mess.

    I need to do this tonight! That sounds very good!
  • trainguy917
    trainguy917 Posts: 366 Member
    chew baked goods and spit


    Ummmmmmm........ Can't tell if this is for real but "ew" and "haha!" are my first reactions.

    If serious, http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
  • LotusAsh
    LotusAsh Posts: 294 Member
    no cheese, bread, peanut butter, butter, salad dressing, dessert, alcohol

    that sounds terrible
  • LPReid
    LPReid Posts: 2 Member
    Measure/weigh your portions. No guessing!
  • MG_Fit
    MG_Fit Posts: 1,143 Member
    I usually try to replace all of the recipes that call for grain with cauliflower. This seem to work well. Oh, and when eating a burger or hot dog, I just use lettuce.
  • Biggirllittledreams
    Biggirllittledreams Posts: 306 Member
    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!

    Peanut butter = lyfe.
  • kvansanity
    kvansanity Posts: 108 Member
    I don't cook with oil or butter. I use cooking spray to get the job done. Yeah, I'm sacrificing flavor and tenderness of my meat at times but with enough vegetables and spices it all tastes good.

    I also avoid using salt unless absolutely necessary cus once I start eating salty food I won't stop.

    PB2 for peanut butter in smoothies (although I go for the real stuff half the time too!)

    I drink coffee, water, and tea and hardly any other types of beverages. I rarely drink and I don't do soda either!
  • joebooth28
    joebooth28 Posts: 55 Member
    I like to eat foods that pack more of a "punch" so that I don't get hungry. Things like Cottage Cheese, Bananas, Toast and Peanut Butter, Apples... Things that are filling for me so I am not looking for something to eat an hour later.
  • BernadetteChurch
    BernadetteChurch Posts: 2,210 Member
    When I'm baking biscuits I make them smaller than I used to. For the last batch I made that meant a difference of about 50 calories per biscuit! The calorie difference depends on the recipe, of course, but every little helps!
  • Michellekutz1
    Michellekutz1 Posts: 122
    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!

    I keep hearing about PB2 what is it and where do you get it?
  • 43mmmgoody21
    43mmmgoody21 Posts: 146 Member
    no cheese, bread, peanut butter, butter, salad dressing, dessert, alcohol

    and no fun!
  • justcat206
    justcat206 Posts: 716 Member
    Well, I don't eat anything and when I feel like I'm about to faint I eat a cube of cheese.
  • hj1119
    hj1119 Posts: 173 Member
    - I bought two things for my weight loss journey - a 64 ounce water jug, and a food scale. I try and drink two jugs full of water each day.

    - I said goodbye to coffee, and hello to herbal teas, organic teas, english breakfast tea, green tea, black tea, red tea and all other cups of deliciousness. I have yet to put a pack of sugar or drop of milk into a cup of tea.

    - Not all dressings are created equal! I once saw a bottle of balsamic vinaigrette with more than one and a half times the calories of Ranch!

    - I said goodbye creamy salad dressing, hello Simply Dressed & Light Roasted Tomato Vinaigrette! It is DELICIOUS - and only 17 calories per tablespoon! WHAAAAT? I know! My kids even ask me to buy it because it tastes good.

    - More vegetables!

    The thing I find easiest is just not buying crap food. I live 15 minutes from civilization so if it's not in my cupboard, no one is eating it. It's really easy to just not even buy it - I write a list before I grocery shop, I stick to that list and I only go down the aisles for essentials - rice, spices, etc. I couldn't tell you where the chip aisle even is in my store.
  • kwantlen2051
    kwantlen2051 Posts: 455 Member
    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!)
    Great advice! Thanks! Yes, I find that eating more protein keeps me full longer and then I don't binge!
  • ktroiano1983
    ktroiano1983 Posts: 12 Member
    Trying to eat mostly hot things. Hot things (temperature and/or spiciness) make me feel like I'm eating something much richer than it is. So for vegetables I'll stir fry them in just some herbs and non-stick spray and they taste much more "umami" than just a salad. Lots of vege-based soups.
  • BigT555
    BigT555 Posts: 2,067 Member
    skipping "breakfast"
    brushing teeth earlier at night
    using protein shakes between meals to curve hunger
    tons of water
    having a mental talk with myself before eating crappy foods regarding whether i can afford to eat said food or not
    never eating out unless i have no other option (which comes up once every couple weeks anyway)
    biking to work
    eating less processed foods
    eating slower and smaller bites
    not getting second helpings unless its completely needed, and only after waiting 15 minutes after finishing my first helping
  • ekat120
    ekat120 Posts: 407 Member
    Increasing protein
    Big glass of water before I start putting together a meal
    Piece of fruit or serving of veggies (e.g., salad or big handful of baby carrots) before I start putting together my meal
    Slowing down and eating mindfully and without distraction (I'm terrible at this, but when I do it I notice a big difference!)
  • ekat120
    ekat120 Posts: 407 Member
    Here is my secret, you cannot tell anyone. I have a patent on this so I do get residuals. Ready; I lowered my calorie input and raised my caloies output. I know, sound simple, but it has been working.

    No cutting out anything, except sitting watching the tv.

    Just one old man's opinion.........

    True. But I thought this thread was about ways to help you do that.
  • Shalaurise
    Shalaurise Posts: 707 Member
    Think I need to be grateful I don't like peanut butter...

    *nods* me too!
  • sweet2def
    sweet2def Posts: 52 Member
    Fizzy water to fill me up
  • johnsat
    johnsat Posts: 7
    Planning list every thing you have eaten and keep in mind what you plan to eat get the portion right and nothing is out of bounds. I still drink beer, go out for meals eat peanut butter, I put cream on my strawberrys and generally eat what i want. If I over do it I add an extra gym session, you must burn more than you intake just eat a bit less and move a bit more it may not be fast but it goes. Good luck
  • Myhaloslipped
    Myhaloslipped Posts: 4,317 Member
    I substitute plain greek yogurt for sour cream and PB2 for peanut butter. Some people would disagree, but they taste just like the real stuff to me. Also, 50 calorie high fiber/low carb tortillas have been a Godsend.
  • Myhaloslipped
    Myhaloslipped Posts: 4,317 Member
    Well, I don't eat anything and when I feel like I'm about to faint I eat a cube of cheese.

    lol :laugh:

    HZDUA7R.jpg
  • sanderbant
    sanderbant Posts: 5 Member
    I substitute plain greek yogurt for sour cream and PB2 for peanut butter. Some people would disagree, but they taste just like the real stuff to me. Also, 50 calorie high fiber/low carb tortillas have been a Godsend.

    And 60 calorie flax pitas! Could not live without them!
  • DebTavares
    DebTavares Posts: 170 Member
    What is PB2 and where can you find it? How many calories does it have?
  • chilly1470
    chilly1470 Posts: 178 Member
    no cheese, bread, peanut butter, butter, salad dressing, dessert, alcohol

    Wow, all those things are good in moderation and if used within your allowed calories. Why cut anything? Reduce, yes, but not eliminate. I won't go overboard and eat a tub of ice cream everyday, thereby crossing out much needed nutrients. But, whatever works for you.
  • smarieallen85
    smarieallen85 Posts: 535 Member
    I measure out EVERYTHING...if I eat pasta, I'll literally only eat half a cup and put it in a salad instead of using it as a main course. No dressings/vinaigrettes. Cottage cheese!

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