Low calorie food substitutions.

[Dave Gray]

I have a recommendation for you guys.  I am trying to cut useless calories, so I'm finding ways to substitute things in recipes where you don't notice all that much.

I hope you have some suggestions as well.

One that I think is pretty good is onion dip.

Normally, the recipe is 16 oz of Sour Cream + 1 package of Lipton onion soup mix.

But if you substitute Lowfat Greek Style Yogurt for the Sour Cream, you can cut the calories by 75%.  You can barely tell the difference, since it only serves as a base for the onion flavor.  It's a pretty amazing calorie difference for not a big difference in taste.

[Buddhagirl]

I've started using diet tonic in my gin and tonic.

[Dave Gray]

^ I've taken that advice.  It's good.  It's the way to go for Gin and Tonics.

[bsfins]

I've mentioned it before,the Turkey Bratwurst by Honeysuckle is pretty good...Less greasy....I've been using ground turkey,and ground pork in almost everything instead of beef...

The Turkey Bacon...Well it's ok, it doesn't tastes like bacon,a very acquired taste...

For the past 3 years or so, I've gone to the Light sour cream...

I've had to go away from the sugar free creamer...Tastes plasticy,and skins over really fast like cooked pudding...YUCK

[Dave Gray]

The Turkey Bacon...Well it's ok, it doesn't tastes like bacon,a very acquired taste...

We've switched to this, too.  I'm happy with it.  It doesn't taste exactly like Bacon, but I like the taste of it just as well.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I find keeping a picture of Rex Ryan without his shirt on posted on my fridge works well.  I immediately lose my appetite. 

[Brian Fein]

I have been doing this and I've already lost about 15 pounds.  Of course I've upped my exercise as well.

I buy Fat Free wherever possible.  Cheese, salad dressing, mayo, milk, anything.  I've also decided I'm not drinking calories anymore.  This includes beer, soda, teas, whatever.  Its water or diet-something only.  I also started buying light bread, which has 35 cals per slice instead of 90 in regular.

I find that really counting your calories is a good way to drop unwanted poundage, or if you're Dave, to stay rail-thin. 

[Dave Gray]

I find that really counting your calories is a good way to drop unwanted poundage, or if you're Dave, to stay rail-thin. 

I'm not going to be fat, ever, pound-wise.  But my family gains weight in the belly and neck...not in the extremities.  We look like birds.  I notice that changing my diet helps keep those parts regulated.


We have switched to whole-wheat spaghetti, which is pretty good.

[AZ Fins Fan 55]

We also use the whole wheat spaghetti and we make it with ground turkey instead of beef and I actually prefer it that way now. At first I was against it being a red meat lover but it has won me over.

[SportsChick]

I tried the whole wheat stuff and I just can't eat it. It's gross tasting to me.

I've been trying to eat more fruit and veggies and less 100-calorie packs of junk food. I've also discovered that yes, I can stomach yogurt and there are some great flavors out there

[bsfins]

My Mom mentioned she used to do Dave's onion dip using cottage cheese,using a blender/food processor  to smooth it out....Err 

Sportschick,I'm curious at what brand of yogurt, I've found that the Kroger brand light,has about 80-90 (vs 100-120 of some other brands) calories per 6 oz serving,and tend to be much cheaper than other brands...Taste is ok, not quite as creamy....It's been the thing to satisfy my sweet tooth, and an occasional,sugar free pudding...

[badger6]

Replace the carbs with veggies, veggies, veggies. And if you get hungry again, eat more veggies. If you have to have a potato, have a sweet potato. I find that I can have my 6 pack in 6 weeks if I replace 75% of the carbs and starches with protein and veggies. I don't have the will power to keep it year round, but close is good enough at my age !!! I think it's the Makers Mark that really sabotages my efforts, ha ha. Oh well.........

[SportsChick]

Lil B - I generally get the Publix brand, Yoplait lite, Dannon Lite N Fit and Target brand (Archer Farms). Different brands have good flavors. Dannon has a caramel right now (seasonal) that is YUMMY

[TonyB0D]

be careful with fat-free stuff, sugar is just as bad, if not worse, than fat.  fat is OK, but sugar kills, ESPCIALLY HFCS.  avoid that shit like the plague.

you can trade calories for things like whole grains and fiber (while whole grain bread might have twice the calories of a regular loaf, if doesnt have the bad stuff the loaf would. 

basically you can eat whatever you want, as long as you burn more calories than you consume you will lose weight.

[badger6]

be careful with fat-free stuff, sugar is just as bad, if not worse, than fat.  fat is OK, but sugar kills, ESPCIALLY HFCS.  avoid that shit like the plague.

you can trade calories for things like whole grains and fiber (while whole grain bread might have twice the calories of a regular loaf, if doesnt have the bad stuff the loaf would. 

basically you can eat whatever you want, as long as you burn more calories than you consume you will lose weight.

I completely concur. Energy in vs energy out. That is all it is about at the end of the day. But your macros can make a difference depending on your own body.*

*what works for me may not work for you, take the time and find out what works for you. It takes a while to do that, but it is worth it........................... ...............