25 easy tricks to lose 10 pounds
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1. Try baked chips.
For an easy snack, swap one ounce of regular totrilla chips for the baked version with salsa, which is a mere 130 calories when compared to tortilla chips and guac (230) calories).
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2. Skip the smear.
Instead of adding cream cheese (50 calories per tablespoon) or butter (100 calories) on a plain bagel, try a flavored version like cinnamon-raisin or salt. Both are delicious without the spread.
2. Forgo regular bottled dressing.
Skip the full-fat version — where two tablespoons can set you back 155 calories — for a portion of fat-free dressing that’s only 30 to 50 calories.
3. Prepare tomato soup without milk.
Rather than tomato soup with added milk (it can clock in at 160 calories), heat up and sip a cup of calcium-enriched vegetable juice (only 50 calories) instead.
5. Pass up a chocolate bar.
A 1.4-ounce serving might soothe your sweet tooth, but it could set you back 210 calories. Instead, eat 10 regular-size jelly beans, four to five pieces of hard candy, or 10 Life Savers (100 to 110 calories).
6. Skip the canned version.
Instead of canned cream corn (185 calories per cup), eat corn on the cob (80 calories for a medium ear).
7. Remove the skin from a chicken breast after cooking.
It’ll save you 100 calories.
8. If pie is your weakness, pass up the pecan.
At almost 430 calories per slice, it’s much smarter to choose a slice of lemon meringue (305 calories).
9. Say goodbye to bacon.
If you want bacon with your eggs, rather than four regular strips (175 calories), have two slices of Canadian (70 calories). It’s just as filling.
Related: 9 Ways to Get a Flat Belly Without Diet or Exercise
10. Use less peanut butter.
When making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, skimp on the peanut butter: Two tablespoons equal 190 calories versus 95 in one tablespoon.
11. Hold the regular mayo.
In tuna, chicken, and pasta salads, use two tablespoons of light mayo (90 to 100 calories) to save more than 100 calories.
12. Use cooking spray.
When you brown or sauté, skip the tablespoon of oil (120 calories) and use nonstick cookware with a spritz of cooking spray.
13. Eat fish smarter.
When ordering shrimp, pass up the fried (145 calories for eight) and choose boiled (45 calories for the same amount).
14. Think about portions.
On a fast-food stop, say no to a medium order of fries (385 calories) and order a small one (250 calories).
15. Go light on the yogurt.
Instead of a six-ounce container of fruit flavored yogurt (150 to 170 calories), choose a light version (60 calories).
16. Forget the salted peanuts.
Two ounces will set you back a whopping 340 calories. Grab 20 thin-twist pretzels for 230 calories instead.
17. Pick your toppings wisely.
Instead of topping ice cream with crumbled cookies, crushed chocolate candy, or hot fudge, top with two tablespoons of fresh berries. It’s a 10-calorie extra, compared to 105 to 135 calories.
18. Skip the peanut-filled candy.
Pop 20 plain M&Ms in your mouth (90 calories) instead of the same amount of peanut M&Ms (210 calories).
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19. Eat ice cream smarter.
Instead of an ice cream bar covered in chocolate (170 calories), try a fat-free fudge pop (65 calories).
20. Skip the whip.
When ordering your favorite coffee bar beverage say no to whipped cream — you’ll save 130 calories.
21. Change how you eat chocolate.
If you need a chocolate fix, replace six Hershey’s Kisses (160 calories) with 15 dark chocolate chips (70 calories).
22. Change your breakfast habits.
Replace cinnamon-flavored oatmeal (295 calories) with a package of regular oatmeal, prepared with fat-free milk and a sprinkle of cinnamon (185 calories).
23. Enjoy a yogurt and fruit parfait.
But have it without granola and save 100 calories.
24. Avoid the extra calories of tartar sauce.
Two tablespoons of the sauce is 150 calories. Instead, enjoy shrimp with cocktail sauce (40 calories for three tablespoons).
25. Pass on the snack size chocolate pudding.
The same amount of refreshing strawberry gelatin is only 80 calories — chocolate pudding is double at 190 cals.
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