Beat Diet Downfalls
Make Your Weakness a Weight Loss Advantage
Provided by Prevention.com
You probably have at least one vice that undermines your losing, or keeping off, unwanted pounds. For some people, the best way to deal with this is to go cold turkey--no more candy, no more fast food, no more evenings in front of the TV. But for many others, abolishing most-loved foods is the fastest route to weight loss failure.
That's why we're going to show you exactly how to incorporate the foods you crave into your everyday meals and still shed pounds.
Losing weight couldn't be easier! Get ready to slim down while living it up.
Fast Food Fans
Drive-thru food is great because it's quick and it tastes good. But there are ways to get the "fast" without the fat. Many burger places offer grilled chicken sandwiches and salad bars. If fried chicken is your weakness, picking off the breading strips calories while retaining the flavor, says Susan McQuillan, RD, a registered dietitian in New York City.
Overall, sub shops are a pretty safe bet--if you go easy on the mayo. And your grocery store is a great place to pick up healthy convenience foods such as reduced-fat hot dogs, low-fat frozen dinners, or stir-fry ensembles for quick meals at home.
But when you just can't shake the craving, it's perfectly fine to hit your local hot dog stand or burger joint--just mini-size your meal.
Menu To make losing weight easy, it has to fit into your busy lifestyle. Here are some options you can grab on the go.
Breakfast 8 oz fat-free plain yogurt 1/3 cup strawberries 1 slice whole wheat toast with 1 Tbsp fruit spread
Wash and slice fruit the night before, or thaw the frozen kind in your refrigerator overnight.
Lunch 1 fast-food hamburger 1 small order fast-food french fries 1 12-oz cola
For a more filling meal, load up on low-calorie extras such as tomatoes, lettuce, onion, and pickles.
Dinner 3 fish sticks, frozen 1/2 cup spaghetti with marinara sauce tossed with 1/2 cup cooked spinach and 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese 1 whole wheat roll
Jarred tomato sauces with vegetables are still pretty light on fiber. For more bulk, microwave frozen veggies, and add them to the sauce.
Snack 1 banana 4 oz orange juice
Total: 1,739 calories; 56 g fat
Meat & Potato Lovers
The key to losing weight while still eating the comfort foods you grew up with is learning how to prepare them with fewer calories. Start with smart choices: Lean cuts of red meat such as top round, sirloin, and London broil average 240 calories per 3-oz serving compared with their fattier cousins: prime rib, T-bone, and filet mignon, which weigh in at 340 calories for the same-size portion. Then grill or saute them in olive oil spray instead of butter to cut calories even further.
For variety, try pork tenderloin or tuna steak as hearty red-meat substitutes. And explore other side dishes such as sweet potatoes and whole grain rice or pasta. They have the same starchy feel as potatoes but boost your fiber intake to fill you up faster.
Menu The protein from meat and the carbohydrates from potatoes are a great way to control your hunger. And with a little planning, they can help control your waistline too.
Breakfast 1 cup bran flakes 1/2 cup 1 percent milk 1/2 cup blueberries
A high-fiber breakfast will help move some of the fat and calories from last night's dinner out of your body.
Lunch Ham sandwich: 2 slices whole wheat bread 1 oz reduced-fat Swiss cheese 2 oz turkey ham 1 roasted red bell pepper Romaine lettuce 1/2 cup macaroni salad 1 medium banana
For fewer calories, ask if your deli prepares low-fat or fat-free side dishes.
Dinner 1 cup tomato soup made with 1 percent milk 1 serving Sauteed Steak and Mushrooms 1 serving Guilt-Free Scalloped Potatoes 1 cup steamed broccoli
If you stick to the 3-oz serving size, you can eat meat most days of the week.
Snack 1 apple 12 potato chips
Having a piece of fruit along with the chips can stop you from eating the whole bag.
Total: 1,530 calories; 51 g fat
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