l am looking for low calorie dishes that taste good and use easy to find ingredients. I really like five ingredients or less recipes.
By eve from Gulf Coast
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
Ok guys, I'm really serious about losing some weight but need some advice from ya'all. I need to know what are some good snack foods to munch on that don't have a lot of calories but will fill me up.
Also, does anyone have some low calorie, cheap meals I can make with items you might normally have at home? Yes I know, this is asking a lot but I sure would appreciate any help I can get.
imaqt1962
What do you normally munch on? No faux-chocolate is going to satisfy you when you really have a craving, but sometimes your body just wants a little bit of carbs as a midday pick-me-up or something crunchy and a little salty. Carrot sticks [with no-fat or no-cal dressing], lowfat popcorn or mini rice cakes can replace chips. Low-fat cheese, peanuts or other nuts are also nice if you're starting exercise and you need the protein, but they are high in fat compared to vegetables. Berries and apple or orange slices can replace sweets. Smoothies with frozen fruit and low-fat yogurt and a dash of faux-sweetener make a delicious breakfast or desert. Just switching to diet soft drinks, water or juice [the real stuff, nothing with corn syrup is juice...] will help a lot. Switching to 2% or skim milk will also help out. There are yummy vitamins in almost all of these -- rice, corn and soft drinks are the exceptions. If I'm out and about and need a quick something that will tide me over for an hour or two until I can sit down and eat, I grab one of those meal bars [I prefer the Luna ones, but you'll have to read the labels and taste them for yourself]. It's much healthier than buying a candy bar, although they do cost more.
You know, I've never been on a diet, but I also never gained weight after I finished my growth spurt in high school. I love sugary foods, but my mother warned me that I was at risk for diabetes if I kept it up. I decided that junk food and snack food were not "real" food, and it's really made all the difference. That doesn't mean that I don't eat or that I don't snack -- I can demolish a bag of peanut butter cups without thinking about it. What it does mean is that I don't let that food in the house and I avoid it when I'm at a party or out for lunch. Set out a few basic lifetime rules for yourself and you won't be desperately fasting or counting calories after the holidays. It's easier to slowly change and identify the bad habits you're willing to let go of [peanut butter cups] and figure out good habits you want to keep [smoothies! walking!]. I find that if I just ask myself if I've had enough "real food" today, I'm usually on the right page. I also listen to what I'm craving and figure out what that actually means. [Crave sugar? Have some pasta for dinner or a fruit salad for lunch.] My sister does all these complicated month-long diet plans and specific "toning" exercise and she's a little chubbier than I am in spite of it. I don't know what other skinny girl non-diet tips I can give you, but I wish you the best of luck!
I'm in the same place you are, I can't afford those high priced diet or low carb foods. I look for Michelena's frozen healthy ones (they correspond with Weight Watchers) and buy lots of those when they are 1.00 each. These are great for lunch-filling and you don't over eat.
Keep things simple - simple straight forward meals - meat, potatoes and 3 veg, fish veg and rice for instance. The trick is in portion control - meat about the size of the palm of your hand, a tablespoon or two of rice, pasta or potatoes and as much veg as you can fit on the plate! (Especially leafy green and brightly coloured veg). Choose carbohydrates with a low GI (glycaemic index) if possible - sweet potato instead of potato, Doongara rice instead of plain rice, etc. Just substitute these next time you go shopping. Low GI carbs will keep you feeling full for longer and if you have a tendency to hyperglycaemia will not raise your blood sugar in a surge straight after you've eaten.
Regards
Jo
Has anyone tried Adobo seasoning? You can find it with the seasonings or the mexican food section
of the grocery. It does have a lot of salt in it, but I sprinkle it on celery sticks and strips of red or green peppers and snack all day.
Drink water. Choose water for your choice of drink.I like the slimfast shakes. I make my own with the mix at home with 1% milk. I exercise now. Ride 2 miles on a bike everyday. I use my total gym every other day. If you don't have equiptment or belong to a gym, WALK. Outdoors is best, but in the winter walk your house. Get moving. It will be your best success. Since October, I've loss almost 25 pds. Cut your current eating habits in half. You will be surprised at the results. Good luck! :)
The unfortunate truth is that the only way to really lose weight and KEEP it off is through lifestyle changes involved in healthy eating habits and at least 30 minutes of exercise 4 times a week. Sure it sucks when you first start, but as it becomes habit your energy increases and you begin to crave the adrenaline boost from exercising. I am a petite person (5'5" and 110lbs). That is before I had two children. WIth both kids I was 198lbs the day after delivery! So you can see I had a long hard slog to get some semblance of a figure back.
Ditch soda and alcohol all together. Empty calories you don't need. Drink enough water to sprinkle your lawn with. All vegetables are now your friends. Don't focus only on carrots as it will tint your skin orange if you eat to many. This also has the added benefit of antioxidants which add a glow to your skin. Fruits are the second in command and should be enjoyed in healthy amounts. Dairy should be non-fat, or if you need some low-fat. Meats are fine, but no bigger than a deck of cards and steer toward fish. Especially salmon which JLO says gives her that fantastic glowing complexion. They also contain fish body oils which are high in complex 3 omega fatty acids which are essential to the body and help to keep our hearts healthy. Last - the dreaded carbs - even the new government food guideline acknowledges that the country have become carb junkies. No more than two REASONABLE sized servings a day and whole grains only. That's one slice of bread = one serving. Read the package.
Make sure you exercise and eat right and increase the amount of exercise and vary your routine in order to keep yourself from getting bored. DON'T just do cardio. Include weight-bearing exercises and you will increase muscle which decreases and burns extra fat. Plus when you see the shape of a tricep popping out of a previously matronly arm you get pretty damn happy.
I've done everything I listed above and in 6 months lost 88 lbs and am back to 110lbs. So it is possible. Just stick with it and get the support of friends and family and others like us. Good luck.
I found a great way to lose weight! I downloaded a HYPNOSIS MP3 to my computer. Hypnosis is a really effective way to change bad habits like overeating, smoking, drinking, etc. and there are great hypnosis sessions for just about everything! I order mine from www.hypnosisdownloads.com/
Dieting is SO difficult.
My favourite low cal food is Marshmallows.
You feel like you're having something nice, but they're not THAT bad. (only a couple at a time)
(sensible food through out the day of course!)
GOOD LUCK
Julie
As a light meal i like to have one of those maggi 99% fat free 2min noodles which are baked not fried. They come in 3 different flavours and in a handy cup which you just add boiling water to and go. Best of all they only have 900kj (220cal)!!!!!!! and as a dinner or lunch thats nothing!!!
hey everyone i am 14 and i have huge love handles and a flabby stomach i have been getting made fun of at school because of them :| school starts in 2 weeks does anyone have any suggestions for me to lose my love handleS?
Hi,
I am a personal trainer (toronto) and I have a great free e-book download of recipes on my site. Check it out at http://www.skyhighfitness.com
Hi I am a personal trainer in Toronto, and what it always comes down to is counting calories and a good fitness regime. Come see my site for some great tips on losing weight.
http://www.TorontoPersonalTrainer...
Does anyone have any favorite low calorie casserole dishes?
Lesley from Crystal River, FL
Try www.allrecipes.com
I get lots of great ideas from there!!!
And be sure to read the reviews----you get lots of great tips from others that have tried the recipes!!
Most casseroles can be made low-cal but substituting low-cal/low fat ingredients. Use fat free canned soup, red. fat cheese, boneless skinless chicken, lean ground meat that has been well drained and rinsed to remove excess fat, additional vegies, etc.
Can someone suggest some easy, tasteful, low calorie recipes?
By Bertha
You should check out www.skinnytaste.com. It's a great blog that gives me LOTS of ideas for healthy family meals :)
I would sincerely appreciate a few recipes for a healthy and low calorie breakfast bar?
Thanks so much.
By Montana Jewel Therapy from The Last Best Place NW Montana
Does anyone have a good recipe for a low calorie dip for vegetables.
