Calorie counting is all over the internet at the moment, and for good reason. Amongst all the crazy diets, fads and meal trends that have emerged over the last few years, it has risen as the most successful! And for good reason, it is completely science-backed. However, when you really get into the science of it, it can be so tricky. This is because one 'heavy' meal a day can make you feel like you need to sacrifice other meals or even your favourite snacks.
But, did you know that there are many swaps you can make in your day-to-day cooking which can lower calorie counts statistically (and without sacrificing flavour)? Not sure what they are? Navigating this world doesn't have to be a challenge! We've broken down some simple changes you can make today below:
Swapping Oil For Spray
Some people will tell you that you need to substitute oil for water, and this is a viable option. However, you don't need to sacrifice flavour or that crunchy crisp to enjoy a delicious, low-calorie meal. Instead of using regular oil, which is easy to over-pour, swap to an oil spray! It's a lot easier to coat your pan with less. Plus, it also contains fewer free radicals, which can otherwise harm your cells.
Limit Sugary Drinks
Sugary drinks can be delicious, but they can be oh-so addictive! This means that you will quickly find you crave them more and more. Though they may be easy to consume, these drinks often hide many calories, which can impact your health and weight in the long term. One can of Coke actually contains 140-155 calories. Now, imagine drinking multiple a day!
If you crave the fizz, try to swap for healthier alternatives, such as zero-sugar versions. Though, as a complete alternative, we recommend swapping to our Nutritional Lattes. Not sure why! Take our Minty Cacao Latte, for example! One serving made with water contains only 13 calories! Now, that's a worthy swap.
Use Less Sauce
Did you know that sauce can hide many calories? For example, 100 grams of mayonnaise can contain up to 680 calories! The same amount of calories can get you a full serving of pasta with room to spare; when you use the right ingredients, of course.
We know! Sauce is oh so delicious. But cutting it out can make a real difference for your health, especially if weight loss is on your mind.
If you can't resist the allure of a great sauce, it's not all bad news. There are some low-calorie alternatives on the market. You just need to look in the right place. You can also DIY your own blends. This means you know exactly what is going into your mix.
A favourite sauce of ours only requires two ingredients: Greek yoghurt and Spicy Ginger Latte! Trust us, it tastes great on burgers, wraps, or even with a serving of homemade fries.
Choose The Right Snacks
So many diets and fads will tell you that snacking is the evil of all evils! What they don't tell you is that this is heavily dependent on the snacks you choose! Why? Eating 5 times a day is actually good for you if you choose the right foods. It can help you feel more energised, sleep better, live better and maintain a healthier relationship with your body. That's where making mindful snacking decisions comes in. And before you ask, this doesn't mean that you can't enjoy your favourite, typically labelled cheat foods. Chocolate, chips, lollies and salty snacks are all fine! We just recommend making mindful choices when shopping for them. Go for the lighter option and make the effort to truly understand what a 'serving size' looks like.
As a reminder, snacks like carrot sticks, celery sticks and fruit are also a low-calorie way to fuel your body. You can typically eat these in a higher volume as you can stretch the calories further.
Put Less On Your Plate
We are conditioned, as humans, to eat everything that is put in front of us from a young age. This means that we typically find ourselves filling up or overeating just to clean our plates. When serving yourself, aim for a smaller serving size and eat slowly and mindfully. If you're still hungry 20 minutes after finishing, you can top up your plate. Otherwise, you'll slowly begin training your body to eat smaller meals. Before long, you'll find that your portions and servings are in better control!
Get Enough Sleep!
It may not be food-focused, but sleep is critical for your diet and for maintaining motivation! Without enough sleep, you will find yourself low on energy, low in mood and even stressed, all of which can trigger your desire to eat. With enough sleep, your body will be naturally fueled and all the more likely to function on smaller meals and snacks.
Struggling to sleep? Our Dreamy Vanilla Latte can help calm your nervous system before bed, priming your body for not only a long sleep, but a deep and restful one.
The Jomeis Fine Foods Team Is Here To Help
At Jomeis Fine Foods, we understand how tricky calorie counting can be. Not to mention learning to read labels can be mind-spinning. Our product range was designed to be macro-friendly, gluten-free, sugar-free and dairy-free. Explore it online and make the healthy swap today.
