It’s almost bathing suit season and I need to do some tweaking- know what I mean? The winter layers are coming off and there’s no more hiding! But who’s interested in a serious diet or feeling deprived? Not me! And I’ve got it all figured out, too. It’s entirely possible to save a few calories without starving just by making a few easy changes in the way I eat, and I’m ready to get started! Here are some easy ways to save calories that allow you to actually enjoy your food without packing on the pounds:
Use non-fat milk in your coffee. Substituting non-fat milk for whole milk or cream can save as much as 100 calories! It’s easier to transition to skim milk in your coffee than in your cereal or drinking it straight because coffee has so much flavor.
Eat Greek yogurt. Ounce for ounce, Greek yogurt has more protein than regular, which gives you more nutrition for each calorie and makes you feel satisfied longer.
Eat an orange. Or any fresh fruit instead of drinking a cup of juice. You’ll save a few calories, get more nutrients, and feel more satisfied from actually eating, rather than drinking.
Nibble on popcorn instead of chips. It really isn’t about depriving yourself, it’s about making smart choices. You can still give in when you get the munchies, and who doesn’t like popcorn? To save even more fat and calories make your own in an air-popper. Add flavor with a sprinkle of salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, or whatever you like.
Eat open-faced sandwiches. Who says every sandwich needs a top and a bottom? Leave off that top piece of bread or roll or bagel for some healthy calorie savings.
Eat skinless chicken. You’ll save lots of fat and calories. So will swapping out dark chicken for chicken breast.
Drink water. Soda and juice have so many calories that you just drink down without even getting the satisfaction of eating! Get into the habit of drinking water and you’ll see a huge difference. If you need to have flavor in your drink, add some fruit slices to your water.
Bake your fries. Is there anyone who can give up fries? You can still enjoy crispy potato treats by baking your “fries.” Cut potatoes into wedges or slices, toss with some olive oil, salt, and the seasoning of your choice, and bake on a cookie sheet in a 400 degree oven till crisp.
Sprinkle dry roasted seeds or nuts over your salad. Swap them for croutons- you’ll still get that extra crunch, but you’ll save calories. You’ll also get a nutrition boost in the bargain!
Learn about portion sizes. So many of us really have no idea what an actual portion size is, which is one reason for overeating. Here is a handy portion size guide that makes it easy to eat healthy portions.
Blot your pizza. Yeah, you might have seen people doing this and laughed at them, but the truth is they’re actually onto something. Blotting pizza and other greasy foods really will make a difference.
Use mustard instead of mayo. You love some mayo on your sandwich, but it can really pack on fat and calories. Mustard has lots of flavor but no fat and very few calories.
Eat frozen yogurt. Sometimes you just need a frozen treat and there’s nothing wrong with that! Enjoy low-fat frozen yogurt instead of ice cream.
Eat high-fiber cereal for breakfast. Studies show that doing this will help you eat less during the day.
Eat from a smaller plate. It’s true that we eat with our eyes first, and when you’re hungry, your eyes want to see a full plate. Eating your main course off of a salad plate will help trick your brain and make you want less food.
These calorie saving swaps and tricks are such an easy and clever way to eat smart and healthy all the time. Incorporate them into your lifestyle and you’ll be looking and feeling great before you know it- without feeling deprived at all!
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Your health so important and it’s also something that you can have some control over by living a healthy lifestyle. One component of maintaining a healthy lifestyle is making sure you eat well. With all the talk about free-range this, and organic that, you might be scared off, thinking that healthy eating is too expensive. It’s true that you could spend a lot shopping in high end health food stores, but you don’t have to. Not at all! In fact, you can keep your eating very healthy while you build your savings or pay off loans. Here are some tips to help you master healthy eating on a budget:
Get a store membership card. It’s free to sign up, and this will make you eligible to members-only specials which can save lots of money.
Buy inexpensive vegetables. Carrots, kale, sweet potatoes, and bananas are are cheap, but also full of important nutrients.
Buy frozen fruits and vegetables. They are not only sometimes cheaper than fresh, but often more nutritious because they’re frozen at the peak of their freshness.
Buy plain rice and oatmeal. It’s tempting to buy the ones that come with flavor packets, or in individual portions, but those are way more expensive. Plus there’s lots of extra salt and sugar that are not that great for you. Buy the plain kind, in larger packages, and flavor it on your own with fruit and herbs.
Beans and lentils. Cheap and nutritious.
Eggs and tuna. Also cheap proteins.
Buy meat on sale. Buy more than you need and freeze it.
Buy cheaper cuts of meat. Cook in a slow cooker to flavor and tenderize. Delicious!
Buy a whole chicken. It’s cheaper than buying parts. You can use the leftovers for salad or tacos the next day.
Use onions. Onions are cheap and you can use them to flavor just about everything.
Use coupons. And take advantage of sales.
Buy what’s in season. It will cost less and taste better.
Don’t buy drinks. Drink water- it’s better for you and it’s free.
Cut out processed foods. Don’t spend your money on unhealthy ingredients.
Buy generic. Most of the time you’ll see a difference in price, but not in taste or quality.
Don’t give up on healthy eating because you think you can’t afford it. You can! So give it a try: your body and your wallet will thank you!
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Moms are special and Mother’s Day is the day to let them know that. My mom means the world to me, and I’d give it to her if I could! Or maybe not- who wants that set of problems? What I mean is, I want to give my mom the best gift ever this Mother’s Day. You probably do, too, and if you think that the best gift ever has to cost a lot, think again! Check out this list for 20 inexpensive but still great Mother’s Day Gifts.
DIY recipe book. You could buy a great cookbook for about $30, but for even less you could make a special personalized recipe book with your favorite family recipes and some photos. Print them out on nice paper, slip them into plastic sheet protectors, and put the pages into a binder you decorated yourself.
Custom gift basket. Think up a theme your mom will appreciate and fill a basket. You could do a spa basket, a chocolate basket, coffee, gardening, crafting, or baking. The options are endless.
Gift card. Spend as much as you want on a gift card to almost anywhere.
Magazine subscription. Most are very inexpensive, and the gift lives on all year!
Make a scrapbook. Get the family involved and include photos, poems, and memories.
Cook a special meal. Serve your mother breakfast in bed, or invite her over for a special dinner.
Go out for tea. Restaurant meals are expensive, so how about a tea or coffee date at a fancy pastry shop?
Coupon book. Okay, I know this sounds a little nerdy, but it’s still a good one. Make a few coupons with offers to do special things for your mom.
Photo album. Don’t we all just snap pics on our phones and leave them there? Print some out and make a really nice album.
Wine. Buy a special bottle that doesn’t have to cost that much.
Mani-pedi. Take Mom out for a little pampering. Or get a gift card from her favorite salon so she can go when she wants.
An activity together. Go to a movie or concert, take a walk or a class together.
Baked goods. Whip up a special dessert or make a batch of muffins.
Journal and pen set. For some reason, sets make a great gift, and lots of people are keeping journals these days.
Volunteer together. Spend your special time together doing something good for others.
Flowers. You can never go wrong with flowers. Spring for a bouquet from the florist, or DIY with a couple of bunches from the local store.
Chocolate. You can’t go wrong with a gift box of chocolate, either.
Book. A nice hardcover book is an excellent gift for a reader.
As a mom myself I know that I’d love to get anything on this list and it doesn’t matter at all that they’re not fancy, expensive gifts. Happy Mother’s Day!
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