Want to Lose Weight but Hate Change? Try Simple Substitutions!

Fat grams, carbohydrates, proteins, etc. – with so many different things to consider when choosing what to eat, it’s easy to become frustrated. What’s really important when it comes to losing weight? Calories!

It’s helpful to think of calories like money. In order to make the most out of your daily calories, you’ve got to spend them wisely. That means choosing foods that are nutritious and will fill you up, without excess calories. Don’t worry, that doesn’t mean giving up your favorite foods. It just means making minor adjustments within your diet.

In fact, by making a few simple changes and cutting 200 calories a day from your diet, you could lose up to 20 pounds over the course of a year! Cutting 200 calories from your diet can be done making simple substitutions, which are minor changes in the diet that allow you to still enjoy your favorite foods without feeling deprived. For example:

With simple changes like the ones above, you can easily cut calories from your diet. You can also incorporate simple substitutions into your favorite recipes to make them lower in calories as well. Try following these tips:

• Use skim or 1% milk when a recipe calls for whole milk or cream.
• Replace oil with applesauce to make a lower-fat, heart-healthy recipe. (One cup of unsweetened applesauce may replace 1 cup of oil).
• Use low-fat versions of cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, etc.
• Use fat-free vegetable spray instead of butter.
• Marinade meats in low-calorie dressings and spices instead of oils.
• Replace the cream and sugar in your morning coffee with skim milk and your favorite low-calorie sweetener.

With a few simple changes, you’ll be on your way to a healthier new you in no time!