There are so many hidden calories in foods that we are eating that aren’t even adding that much flavor-just calories. Here are some tips from Shape.com to cutting the unnecessary ones out of your meals, snacks and desserts.
1. Add the Olive Oil Last - Calories saved per cup: 150
Steam your vegetables first and then add flavor by adding just a bit of olive oil. This way your vegetables won’t just soak up all the oil.
2. Lighten Up Your Juice - Calories saved: 100
Dilute any sweet drinks for a healthier option.
3. Make Skinny Mashed Potatoes - Calories saved per cup: 150
Mix in half a cup of low-sodium chicken broth for every 3 pounds of potatoes instead of half a cup of butter or heavy cream.
4. Trade in Your Wine Glass - Calories saved: 100
Use a champagne flute for portion control
5. Downsize Your Baked Goods - Calories saved: 310 to 385
Spread out your mixture in more smaller-sized tins and you’ll have more muffins to enjoy in smaller sizes. Another great trick to save 75 additional calories is to swap half a cup of applesauce for the half cup of butter or oil called for in your recipe.
6. Get Sandwich Savvy- Calories saved: 420
Anything mixed with mayo is bad news. Also try and skip the trio- chips are one of the worst types of junk food for you.
7. Bulk Up Your Pasta-with Veggies - Calories saved: 250
To fill your plate, mix a cup of pasta with a cup of steamed veggies, topping the dish with half a cup of your favorite jarred marinara sauce.
8. Serve Dessert in a Shot Glass - Calories saved: 360
A shot glass is just enough to satisfy your sweet tooth and not too much to kill your diet.
9. Take Your Own Popcorn to the Movies - Calories saved: 600
Pre-pop your lightly buttered popcorn and then use your big tote to carry it in.
10. Ditch Designer Cereals and Granolas - Calories saved: 500
Go for cereals high in fiber and low on sugar. I never choose a cereal that has more than 12g of sugar.
11. Choose a Leaner Cut of Meat - Calories saved: 500 to 600
Choose a filet mignon rather than a big steak. To save more calories ask the chefs to skip the final step of brushing the meat with butter or oil to make it look juicier.
12. Turn Your Back on the Buffet Table - Calories saved: 650
Literally turn away from the food and you will be less tempted to eat after your full.
We’ve all heard that drinking a glass of wine a day is healthy for us. I just didn’t know exactly why. Here are six reasons you should indulge yourself daily:
Remember this: there are no hangover cures. What works for me may not work for you. However, there are some things you can do that will at least lower your chances of being useless the day after your office party. Here are a few tips:
Before the party:
- Eat something, preferably a carb-heavy meal, to slow the effects of alcohol.
- Stay hydrated throughout the day.At the party:
- Make your first drink a non-alcoholic one.
- Eat every three hours.
- Avoid foods that will dehydrate you more (this means salty and sugary).
- White wine, vodka, and gin are easier on the liver than darker drinks such as red wine, beer and sugary drinks.
- For every alcoholic drink you have, down a glass of water too.
- Flush out your liver before you go to bed by eating carb-rich or protein-rich foods (maybe a turkey sandwich or peanut butter on toast).
- As much as you want it, don’t give in to your salty, fast-food cravings (such as a late-night Big Mac). It’s hard on your digestive track.
- Drinking alcohol makes you lose vitamins B and C, so stock up before hitting the hay. Eat bananas, whole grains, oranges or even take a multi-vitamin.
- The best snack would be a piece of whole grain toast topped with peanut butter and banana slices. Down it with a big glass of water.The next morning:
- If you still wake up feeling like you were run over by a bus, don’t skip breakfast.
- Flush the alcohol from your system by eating foods like eggs, fruit, lemon and honey.
- Contrary to popular belief, coffee doesn’t sober you up. But it may help with your hangover headache.
If you’ve ever needed a reason not to drink to excess, other than the morning after, here it is: This handy tool will take the amount you drank and translate it into food. As in, one glass of wine equals a slice of pizza. But since it’s the holidays, I say ignore the result…
I would say there’s a pretty good chance a thought like this has crossed most people’s (women’s) minds: “I know alcohol has a ton of calories, so maybe I just won’t eat as much if I’m planning to drink that day.” This is fine, in theory. A nutritionist might advise you, every once in a while, that it’s alright to skip dinner and just have dessert. That way you’re eating the same number of calories. However, “drunkorexia” can turn into a way of life. And one thing’s for sure: you are NOT going to get the nutrients you need from a glass of vino. Plus, not eating when you drink gets you drunk faster, and then lowers your inhibitions (which might then cause you to binge on food anyway). Point is: it’s a risky balancing act that’s likely to leave you unhealthy. Read more…
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