Having to endure many painful sacrifices is one of the most annoying things about dieting. Most diets force you to give up or limit your favorite foods and start a diet plan made up of foods you don’t like. But there is good news, there are easier changes to reduce calorie intake for weight loss that will help you in your weight loss process. Many of these are so painless and simple that you won’t even know you’re making healthier lifestyle changes.
Check out these simple and healthy changes to cut your calories:
#1- Cut down on mayonnaise
Mayonnaise is high in fat and calories, making it add to your calories for the day when you add a few tablespoons to your sandwiches. Try to use just 1 tablespoon or less to cut calories and fat. You can still enjoy the flavor but without consuming the added fat. For a healthier option, replace the mayonnaise with mustard.
#2- Consume 1 cup of water before each meal
Consuming a glass of water before each meal fills you up so you don’t eat as much and therefore reduce the number of calories you eat at each meal.
#3- Substitute a snack for vegetables every day
You can cut your calories substantially by replacing one of your snacks, which are typically over 200 calories, with vegetables. Some good options are: cauliflower, celery sticks, carrot sticks, sliced bell peppers, baby tomatoes, snap peas, broccoli, cucumber slices. Try dipping them in salsa or low-fat dressing.
#4- Replace sugar with Stevia
Stevia is a natural sweetener that has no calories, so it does not affect blood sugar levels, making it an excellent alternative to sugar in coffee and tea.
#5- Switch from cream to skimmed milk
Also switching from cream to skim milk or a low-fat creamer in your coffee is another easy way to cut calories. It may take a while to adjust to this change at first, but it’s a great way to reduce your calorie intake for weight loss.
#6- Slow down when eating
Cutting back on snacks and meals will cause you to eat less, up to 50% less. When you eat slower, your body has time to get the message that it’s full. Give yourself at least 20 minutes or more to eat each snack and meal. Be sure to chew each bite slowly, taking a break between bites, and finish eating when your body tells you that you are full (don’t stuff yourself).
#7- Add fruit to your Meal Plan
Some of us crave something sweet like candy or other sweets throughout the day, but instead eat a couple of pieces of fruit every day to cut calories. Fruits contain natural fiber and fructose that satisfy sugar cravings to keep you from eating higher-calorie sweets.
#8 Switch to light bread
You can cut 50 to 100 calories every day just by switching to light bread. Another option is to replace bread entirely by wrapping your sandwiches in a lettuce leaf.
#9- Cut the cheese
Just adding a slice of cheese can add 100 calories or more to your meal; instead, fill your sandwich with other healthy and flavorful fillings, such as lean cuts of meat and crunchy vegetables. You can also add a little extra flavor to your sandwich by adding olives, pickles, or some hot peppers for extra flavor.
#10- Cut your portions in half
Whenever you eat at a deli or restaurant, eat only half the portion that is served to you. Most restaurant meals are double or triple the normal serving size. Adjusting your eating habits to eat only half the serving size will leave you the other half to eat later.
These are 10 very practical and simple ways to effectively reduce your calorie intake to lose weight without even realizing it.