(Taken from BBC: The bowl on the left may look like it has more food, but in fact, both bowls contain the same amount of calories)BBC health link here!According to the BBC, foods high in water and fiber will pad your meal without adding calories. Low energy density foods, things like cucumbers, will not only give you less calories while you eat more, you will also feel less snackish an hour later.
This isn't news, of course, but it does bring up questions on how we can trick the brain into believing that we are receiving more nutrients then we really are. For instance, in this picture:
Both cups contain 215 calories. The cup on the right is topped with low fat yogurt and granola, while the cup on the right is just strawberries and cream.
And there are plenty of other examples, for instance, using lettuce or cabbage to fill in for a number of dishes, vegi-chips instead of potato chips, and other such things.
So here is a call to you guys, let us know what meals you guys like to cook, and lets see if there are any ways we can chop the calories down, while increasing the amount we eat!
Comments (11)
In addition to using fat free/low sugar/lower calorie options of the foods I eat regularly, I also trick myself into thinking there is more food than there really is.
I tend to arrange food on my plate to where it fills up the whole plate. Like if I have a sandwich and chips, The sandwich is in the middle and the chips are around it instead of them being in a section with an empty place left for a 3rd option. It makes me feel like I eat more. I can eat a sandwich and chips like nobody's business, but I rarely finish that whole plate. I also use smaller bowls than I used to for cereal and things like that.
Wooow. That berry-filled cup looks AMAZING! I can't think of anything right off the top of my head- but how about grilled hamburgers (not like McDonalds but the ones you make at home)?
i always use smaller bowls and smaller plates, ultimately eating less than my family members who have bigger dishes and have seconds...thirds...whatever.
I have several tips to make you think you're eating more food while reducing calories:
~grill rather than fry foods
~drink low-calorie beverages (such as diet instead of sugar-sweetened)
~use vegetables/tofu instead of meat
~use smaller dishes
~arrange the food so it looks like it fills up the plate
~replace butter with reduced fat spreads
~use more water when cooking soups, oatmeal, and other such foods
~use tomato-based sauces rather than cream-based sauces
~cut food into chunks rather than mashing it (such as with potatoes, carrots)
~eat fruit rather than drinking fruit juice
~eat poultry rather than red meats (35 calories per oz vs. 55 calories per oz)
This isn't really a "trick" - but when I drink a cup of water before a meal, it actually does make me feel more full so I don't want to eat as much
When my hubby makes homemade chili, he puts a ton of fresh veggies like celery, onions, bell peppers, green peppers in it and less beans. All the veggies cook and blend in really well!
Cheers,
BB
Macaroni and Cheese! Or pancakes.
I would love either of those with less calories.
@AmistadBaby@xanga - If you want to make healthier mac n chz, replace a little of the chz with pureed soft tofu. You could also use whole wheat noodles (doesn't drop caloires but it does make it more healthy), and if you want to be really good, add veggi's, ex: broccoli or peas. Say you eat a cup of mac n chz, if you have broccoli in it that's less pasta and chz and more veggi per cup of food so it has less calories and keeps you full longer.
With pancakes you can add whole wheat flour and oatmeal to the batter (instead of just white batter). Also try adding fruite, like blueberries. You get vitamins and antioxidants that way. Instead of dumping butter and syrup on the top (nothing but empty calories) try vanilla yogurt and more berries, any kind, I love strawberries and bannanas on my pancakes.
Hi
Actually its within our power to eat within control but we don't,since we get floored by taste!
sadaboy
@adept_of_chaos@xanga - Thanks! Those are such good suggestions, I'm saving them for later.
That cup looks delicious! *drools* I don't really pay a lot of attention to portion size xD Even when I take a big plate, I won't be able to eat it all anyway :P But good tips everyone ^.^
I eat this way all the time: making my meals look MUCH bigger yet have less calories than what people typically eat!! :) I think it helps that I eat only meat (red meat, fish, poultry & eggs) and non-starchy vegetables!