11 Ways to Cut Down On Your Daily Calorie Consumption
We all know that one of the best ways to lose weight and keep it off is to cut down on our calorie consumption. But sometimes, it can be hard to know where to start. Here are 11 easy ways that you can cut down on your daily calorie consumption, without feeling like you're depriving yourself.
1. Ditch the soda.
A can of soda has about 150 calories, and those calories add up quickly if you're drinking multiple sodas a day. If you're looking for a refreshing alternative, try sparkling water with a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice. You'll save calories and get a healthy dose of Vitamin C at the same time!
2. Say goodbye to sugary coffee drinks.
A Venti Starbucks Frappuccino can have over 600 calories! If you're trying to cut down on calories, stick to plain coffee or tea, or make your own coffee at home with skim milk and sugar-free flavoring syrups.
3. Avoid high-calorie alcoholic beverages.
A margarita can have over 500 calories, while a glass of wine has around 120 calories. If you're looking to drink alcohol but want to cut back on the calories, go for light beer or straight spirits like vodka or gin, which have less than 100 calories per serving.
4. Be choosy about your toppings.
When it comes to pizza, less is more. Stick with one or two toppings instead of loading up your slice with everything under the sun. And when it comes to salad, go easy on the creamy dressings and cheese toppings - opt for vinaigrettes or lemon juice instead.
5. Make smarter choices when ordering out.
When dining out, choose entrees that are grilled, baked, or steamed instead of fried; hold the mayo and cheese on sandwiches; and don’t be afraid to ask for dressing on the side so that you can control how much you use.
6. Don’t eat mindlessly.
We’ve all been there - we start eating a bag of chips or a pint of ice cream without even realizing it! To avoid mindless eating, make sure that you are only eating when you are actually hungry, and not just because something tastes good or because you’re bored. If you have a troubling controlling portion you can try an appetite suppressing pill - there are many good over the counter diet pills available nowadays.
7. Be portion aware.
Most restaurant portions are large enough to feed two people, so when dining out, consider splitting an entrée with a friend or family member. And when cooking at home, take care not to supersize your portions - use smaller plates if necessary so that your food doesn’t look like it’s disappearing in front of you!
8. Fill up on fiber-rich foods first.
Before digging into that plate of pasta or pile of french fries, start your meal with a salad or some broth-based soup - doing so will help fill you up on low-calorie foods so that you’re less likely to overeat later on.
9. Skip the appetizers.
Appetizers can be tempting, but most of them are high in fat and calories and won’t do much to fill you up. If you’re at a restaurant where they serve bread before the meal, ask for it without butter so that you can avoid adding unnecessary calories and fat to your meal.
10. Don’t be afraid of fat-free options.
Just because something is labeled “fat-free” doesn’t mean that it’s calorie-free. In fact, many “fat-free” foods are actually higher in sugar and carbs than their full-fat counterparts. So rather than reaching for the “fat-free” ranch dressing, opt for oily vinegar dressings instead - your waistline will thank you!.
11. Use spices instead of salt.
Sodium is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to water retention and bloat, so it’s important to limit your intake if you’re trying to cut down on calories. Season your food with herbs and spices instead of salt - not only will this help slash your sodium intake, but it will also give your food an extra flavor boost!.
Conclusion:
By following these simple tips, cutting down on daily calorie consumption doesn't have to be difficult - small changes can make a big difference! Try incorporating one or two of these tips into your daily routine and see how quickly the pounds start melting away.