How to Have Your Favorite Snacks for Half the Calories

How to Have Your Favorite Snacks for Half the Calories

Ditch the Froyo for Yogurt

Froyo tastes so good in the summer, but it's loaded with sugar and calories. For a sweet treat that won't pack pounds, make a yogurt parfait with unsweetened yogurt. Load your yogurt up with low-calorie chocolate syrup, fresh fruit, coconut flakes, chia seeds, and more. The toppings will be so flavorful that you won't miss the added sugar.

Swap Crunch for Chips

Hummus and pita chips sounds like a healthy snack, but those chips can add up, calorie-wise. When you're in the mood for something crunchy, trade the chips for a crunchy veggie, like carrots. The sensation of crunch will satisfy that snacking sensation, and you'll get protein and fiber with fewer calories.

Make Your Favorite Foods Healthier

There are lots of ways to make the same foods you already enjoy, but using less fat or sugar. If you love microwave popcorn, start air popping your own popcorn using a microwave and paper bag. Rather than coat your popcorn with butter, try nutritional yeast, which has a cheesy flavor.

If you love fried chicken sandwiches from fast food restaurants, order a grilled chicken sandwich to lower the calories in the dish.

Often, leaving off a topping -- say, a slice of cheese or a creamy salad dressing -- will drop the calorie count of your favorite food. If you're worried your favorite food won't taste as good without your creamy dressing or sauce, ask for the sauce on the side.

Other proven ways to make favorite foods healthier include lowering the amount of added salt or sugar in the dish and using whole grains over refined grains, like white rice.

Dry Fry for Healthier Meals

The more cooking oil you use, the more calories in your dish. Master the art of dry frying to lower calories in your side dishes. To dry fry, use a nonstick skillet. Place the veggies or meat in the skillet and allow them to cook over the heat. If your veggies start to burn, use a little water. Meat such as ground turkey or beef should cook using the fat that melts off through the cooking process.

Try Your Favorite Foods - in Smaller Servings

Sometimes you have a craving that won't go away. While you may be able to avoid the first couple of cravings, eventually you'll cave and wind up binging on a guilty pleasure, then feel awful for falling off your diet.

Rather than cut foods out altogether, try portion control for those items that are hardest to give up. Indulging in the foods you love in smaller amounts helps you get that flavor hit without the side of guilt. Try these techniques today to enjoy foods you miss without cheating on your meal plan and boost your skills in the kitchen. When you learn healthier ways to cook food, you will be able to stay fit for life.

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