8 Ways to Cut 250 Calories 

                                              By-  Dianne Villano, Certified Personal Fitness Instructor                                                                    

  1. Just trash it! Toss out all of your kid's uneaten food. Wouldn't you rather splurge on a nice piece of double chocolate fudge pie than your kid's cold, greasy french fries?
  2. Avoid disaster movies - No, not the latest version Speed but the belt busting size movie snacks.  A 5.3 oz bag of M & M's contains 766 calories and a jumbo popcorn has 1,640. (That's a whole day's intake for most of us!!) You can bring your own treats. A regular size bag of M & M's has only 250 calories and 11 Cups of air popped popcorn has only 336 calories. You can  extra flavor (as well as protein) by sprinkling on a bit of parmasean cheese and a butter substitute. (ask you trainer how to fit your favorite snacks into your allotted number of daily exchanges
  3. Stop eating off of your boy/girlfriend's plate - Unfortunately, just because they came off of someone else's plate does not make them calorie free. The calories really add up even though you "didn't order the fries, just had a few off of my boyfriend's plate"
  4. Single is good - Single servings, that is. Instead of letting a 1/2 a bag of chips (nearly 900 calories) lure you away from your fitness goals, buy single serving bags (about 150 calories) or pre - package a large bag yourself into single servings.
  5. Ax the Alfredo - Instead of the creamy sauce on your favorite pasta choice (about 250 calories/1/4 cup,  have a nice marinara at 70 Calories is a much better choice. 
  6. Don't assume all salads are  the best choice -  For instance, Taco Bell's Taco Salad  has 850 calories while the Fiesta Beef Burrito has only 380 calories. (ask your trainer for nutrition panels and other nutrition information for your favorite fast food haunts) Also, watch any mayo-based choices at your local salad bar and for goodness sake, remember that 1 tablespoon of your average dressing has 80 - 100 calories.(2 fat servings)!!!!
  7. Realize that  "heros" aren't always gallant. A seemingly healthy 6" tuna sandwhich can contain as many as 500 calories - stick with lean meats with mustard and spices or a smear of mayo.(250 - 300 calories) ***Remember 1 tablespoon of may is equal to around 80 calories. Most pre -made  subs contain several times that amount plus cheese and oil or dressing.
  8. Be fashionably late for your dinner reservation - This will eliminate standing around the bar sipping those pre dinner drinks (100 calories per oz. of liquor and  around 85 calories per 4 oz of wine.)or nibbling on bar snacks or other high fat appetizers. (The average hand full of peanuts is around 170 calories)


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