Diet Friendly Foods

Tasty Foods to Help Maintain a Diet

No matter what diet program is chosen, most dieters feel that some of their favorite foods are forbidden. Sometimes they are but there are many foods that provide delicious nutrition without adding calories OR fat. These eighteen easy to find, simple to
prepare foods range from proteins to provide energy to fruits and even candy!

If you find that your favorite pork chops pack too many calories or that fried catfish has too much fat, look for alternatives. A 3 and 1/2 ounce serving of water packed tuna has less than a gram of fat, just 116 calories but offers 25 grams of protein. Shrimp - unless its' deep fried - has less cholesterol than most shellfish but less fat - just one gram for three ounces of broiled or boiled shrimp. At just 84 calories, shrimp can be a tasty treat. Shrimp also packs heart healthy Omega-3 fatty acids.

If fish fails to hook your appetite, try poultry. Lean, roasted turkey breast without the skin offers less than a gram of fat for a 3 and 1/2 ounce serving. At a scant 135 calories, turkey breast also provides healthy doses of Vitamin B-12, zinc, and iron. A skinless chicken breast when baked, broiled, or microwaved weighs in with three grams of fat and substantial protein.

Spice up that seafood or poultry with condiments. Fat free salsa offers a burst of flavor as a topping. So do spicy mustard and horseradish. Don't limit your flavorful experience to meats - add any of the above to vegetables, baked potatoes, or even an egg white omelet.

Add a side of pasta to your entrée for a healthy serving of carbohydrate with little fat and some protein. Low-fat sauce toppers like marinara add zest. A cup of cooked pasta adds less than a full gram of fat and has just 186 calories. Choose a whole-wheat or vegetable base pasta for more fiber and less fat.

Tuck your tuna or turkey breast into a whole wheat pita bread pocket for a delightful sandwich with low calories, low fat, and great taste. Start your meal with a cup of tomato soup with only 85 calories (made with water, not milk) and two grams of fat. It will help to fill your tummy in a delicious, low fat fashion.

Another tomato based favorite is a non-alcoholic Bloody Mary made with spicy tomato juice and a stick of celery for the swizzler. This fun mixer allows you to enjoy cocktail hour with a mere 35 fat free calories and some beta carotene as a bonus.

Fruits that offer maximum taste and low fat appeal include cantaloupe. A cup of this sweet melon offers more Vitamin C and beta carotene than orange juice with just 60 calories and less than one fat gram. A fresh pear has 98 calories and almost no fat. Strawberries check in with just 43
calories for a cup and less than a fat gram. Strawberries also provide fiber, potassium, and a whopping 140% of the daily recommended allowance of Vitamin C. You don't have to be a monkey to enjoy ripe bananas. These long, yellow favorites may even lower blood pressure while filling your tummy. At just 108 calories and less than a full gram of fat, bananas are satisfying.

Add a dollop of real whipped cream to those berries or sugar free pudding or gelatin. Rich and delicious, whipped cream has only one fat gram per serving and just 8 calories.

If candy is a favorite, try a single Tootsie Pop with 60 calories and no fat. For a richer taste, try one Butterscotch drop. Savor it for about fifteen minutes and enjoy the taste with a low 25 calories and no fat.

If you prefer a cookie, try a couple of fortune cookies. These favorites from Oriental take-out have just 30 calories and no fat.

For those who want a salty, crunchy treat, try a handful (about five) regular size pretzels. You'll gain maximum crunch with very little fat. To avoid water retention from the salt, choose a no-salt variety. An ounce of either has just 108 calories.

Rather than cheat on your diet with calorie rich foods or fatty treats, use these simple foods to satisfy those cravings and stay slim!

live a healthy life

Losing Weight Isn't Necessarily About Dropping the Pounds Fast, but Rather Leading a Healthier Lifestyle and Making Better Choices


It's estimated that more than half of all Americans are overweight. Due to decreased activity, poor food choices and more, Americans are getting fatter and fatter by the minute. So how can one put forth an effort to lose weight without changing their daily life? Well, the answer is
simple: you can't. In order to lose weight and become more healthy, you've got to put some work into it. Even if it's just a little work, a little can go a long way. Here are a few ways to help yourself lose weight and become more active so you can lead a healthier lifestyle.

Healthy Tip #1 - Calories

Calorie counting is an easy way to start keeping track of your food intake. Keeping track of calories, while it may not significantly cause you to drop 30 pounds, will actually help you eat less. When you're watching what you eat, you become more aware of your food choices.

If you're not into calorie counting, you can also try keeping a food diary. In the end, keeping track of what you eat will help you eat less.

Healthy Tip #2 - Fluids

As Americans, we drink a lot, and I don't mean alcohol. We drink tons of soda, concentrated juices and high fructose drinks. Many of us can consume an entire day's worth of calories in a day, which would mean we wouldn't have any calories left toward our food intake.

If you're not ready to go cold turkey on your soda habit, you can try switching to diet or to zero calorie sodas. Switching to one of the alternatives can greatly reduce the amount of calories you're consuming each day, which in turn can help you lose weight. While the weight loss will only be a few pounds here and there, every little bit counts.

Avoid juices and other high sugar, high fructose syrup drinks. Energy drinks especially can throw off your entire day with sky-high calorie counts.

Healthy Tip #3 - Water


It's fact that we don't get nearly as much water as we should. You should be drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day. While it's unrealistic to go from drinking none to 8 glasses over night, it is a good goal to work toward. An easy way to add water into your daily life is to drink
a glass or two right when you wake up. Drinking water first thing in the morning will also help encourage you to drink more throughout the day.

You can even switch out one or two cans of soda a day with a glass of water.

If you're keeping a food diary or calorie counting, it also helps to keep track of how many glasses of water you're drinking.

Plus, if that doesn't convince you: drinking water leads to clear, healthier skin - and who doesn't want that?

Healthy Tip #4 - Exercise

Many of us are busy, whether it be school, work, or taking care of the kids. So we can't always add in exercise to an already tight schedule. An easy way to boost your metabolism and add some 'exercise' to your daily routine is to boost things up a bit. Turn that leisurely walk with the dog into a fast-paced walk. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Housework is also a great way to burn calories.

You can add arm stretches to your morning shower, or leg crunches while sitting at your desk. Getting up and walking around the building once a day. Anything that makes you just a little bit more active.

While it doesn't sound like a significant amount, it will add up. The more frequently you do little things, the more energy you'll gain over the course of the day. A little goes a long way, and eventually you'll get to a point where you actually want to go for a quick jog in the morning.

Losing weight doesn't mean dropping 60 pounds in 3 months, or having drastic surgeries. It means watching what you're eating and become a healthier person. Your body will benefit greatly if you focus on fixing poor eating habits.