By Tess Rose Lampert,Cheapism
Ignore all the fad diets
-- for weight loss, there’s no magic pill or substitute for simply
burning more calories than you take in. That doesn’t mean suffering with
a piece of celery and a lettuce leaf for lunch, though. There are
plenty of delicious foods for indulging without worrying about packing
on extra pounds or undoing a workout. These low-calorie dishes feature
inexpensive and nutrient-dense foods to help lose weight quickly while
still enjoying meals.
[post_ads]Try this easy, delicious treat to enjoy a hydrating, refreshing, and flavorful beverage without added sugar or artificial sweeteners. Watermelon is at its lowest price during the summer, which makes healthy, low-calorie watermelon juice cheaper than chemical-laden alternatives such as sports drinks and sodas. To make, simply place chunks of cold, sweet, juicy watermelon in a blender and blend until completely smooth. Swap out cocktail mixers with tasty watermelon juice at parties to save calories without having to stick to flavorless club soda.
[post_ads]Try this easy, delicious treat to enjoy a hydrating, refreshing, and flavorful beverage without added sugar or artificial sweeteners. Watermelon is at its lowest price during the summer, which makes healthy, low-calorie watermelon juice cheaper than chemical-laden alternatives such as sports drinks and sodas. To make, simply place chunks of cold, sweet, juicy watermelon in a blender and blend until completely smooth. Swap out cocktail mixers with tasty watermelon juice at parties to save calories without having to stick to flavorless club soda.
Stir-fry has a lot going for
it in terms of health. The traditional seasonings, including garlic,
ginger, and onion, are super-low-calorie and provide tons of nutrition.
Some of the meat can be replaced with chunks of broccoli, one of the
lowest-calorie foods available, and don’t skimp on other veggies, such
as peppers and snow peas. Seasoned with low-calorie chilies and soy
sauce, rather than thick, store-bought sauces that can hide a lot of
calories, this is a dish for filling up without packing on the pounds.
Dessert can be tough for
people trying to lose weight, and it’s important to have options.
Grilling makes it easy to avoid high-fat sweets, because caramelized
stone fruit is just as tasty as any pie or cookie, offering layers of
flavor from the ripe fruits themselves and the hot grill char. A tiny
scoop of ice cream or yogurt on top won’t destroy this low-calorie dish,
but stick mainly to the fruit and indulge guilt-free.
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This trick is a game-changer for anyone trying to lose weight, cut carbs, or avoid gluten:
Replace pasta with zoodles, or spiralized zucchini. (Some other
vegetables, such as yellow summer squash, also work.) It cuts the
calories by more than half, and in-season zucchini is even cheaper than
pasta by volume. For the best texture, be sure to salt and drain the
zoodles, squeezing to remove excess moisture before adding sauce. That
way, they stay firm and don’t make the dish too watery.
No one should have to miss out on ice cream, even people trying to shed pounds quickly. Instead of opening a pint, simply blend frozen bananas, pulsing until they are crushed and blending until smooth, to make a one-ingredient treat that's delicious and satisfying. Eat banana "ice cream" right away as soft-serve or stash it in the freezer for a harder consistency. Add flavor with cinnamon, vanilla, or even a few nuts
No one should have to miss out on ice cream, even people trying to shed pounds quickly. Instead of opening a pint, simply blend frozen bananas, pulsing until they are crushed and blending until smooth, to make a one-ingredient treat that's delicious and satisfying. Eat banana "ice cream" right away as soft-serve or stash it in the freezer for a harder consistency. Add flavor with cinnamon, vanilla, or even a few nuts
[post_ads]The ultimate cleansing diet
food, this powerhouse of a low-calorie dish fills the stomach and
cleanses the gut. Praised since ancient Rome for its health benefits,
cabbage soup has endless variations. Stick with simple ingredients such
as onions, carrots, celery, garlic, vegetable broth, and crushed
tomatoes. Season with salt, pepper, and chili and eat as much as you
want, as often as you want.
This tasty dish doubles as
breakfast or dessert. Sprinkle cored apples with cinnamon and a few
raisins and bake at 350 degrees until soft (about 45 minutes). The
result is a sweet flavor like apple pie filling, but with the calories
of an apple. Enjoy with a small scoop of Greek yogurt for an extra layer
of decadence.
Chicken
delivers a healthy dose of animal-based protein, which can help curb
cravings during a low-calorie stint. The fat is in the skin, so opt for
skinless chicken. Thighs are cheaper than breasts and have more flavor
in the meat itself, so they stay juicy and flavorful even without the
skin. Season with salt and pepper and bake until cooked through. These
can be enjoyed next to veggies or on top of a salad to complete a meal.
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