Dieting sucks.
Seriously. It does.
This is especially true for those who are looking to count their calories.
If you want to lose weight, you need to sacrifice certain foods.
This includes the salts, the sweets, and the savory.
Is there a way enjoy the foods you love while attempting to stay fit?
There is!
Here are four swaps you can make to kick that junk food habit to the curb!
1. Ice Cream
Do you know what’s cool?
Ice cream.
Do you know what’s even better?
Ben and Jerry’s
Do you know what’s not good?
The metric butt-ton of calories, sugar, and fat.
If you want to lose weight, you need to cut back on your calories.
Halo Top
Halo Top is a lifesaver for those who have a sweet tooth.
On top of your standard chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, Halo Top has a variety of premium flavors such as Birthday Cake, Pistachio, and, my personal favorite, Red Velvet.
The best part?
Each pint contains anywhere between 280-380 calories. The calorie content makes it perfect for anyone who is looking to fit in a sweet snack after lunch or a delectable dessert at the end of the day.
Oddly enough, while the protein-to-calorie ratio is not up to par with other foods, for what it is, the protein is still an added benefit.
2. Soda
One of the best ways to start up a diet is to cut out sugary soft drinks.
I do know, however, that there are those who are addicted to cola.
And for some odd reasons, there are people who dedicate their lives to diet cola.
Talk about Cult-a-Cola.
While zero-calorie cola is good for those looking out for calories, the aspartame inside it is not so good for you.
I know you know about sparkling water, but are you aware of . . .
Zevia?
If you absolutely need the flavor of soda, Zevia is your friend.
A can of Zevia contains 0 calories.
That’s right.
0 Calories.
This makes it easy to pair it with lunch, dinner, or if you just really need a boost of caffeine.
With the exception of protein shakes, I believe drinking your calories is ridiculous as it is way too easy to do.
It is also sweetened with stevia leaf, a healthier option than sugar.
You can’t go wrong with flavors like Cola, Ginger Ale, and Root Beer.
3. Fast Food
To say there is a healthier version of fast food is oxymoronic – it doesn’t exist. My recommendation for those looking to lose weight is to stay entirely away from fast-food restaurants.
However, if you are human, like me, and are in a bind, then sometimes you need a quick bite.
Chipotle
You probably knew this was coming. With most fast-food restaurants, you need to “hack” to get your calories down.
With Chipotle, you can rest (relatively) easily. Depending on your calorie count, if you skip the cheese, sour cream, and guac, you can make a meal that adds up to around 500-600 calories.
That’s two cheeseburgers at McDonald’s.
Go crazy with lettuce and fajita vegetables as they are fairly low in calories.
As a warning, do know that Chipotle is not always accurate with its measurements. The staff is human after all. This can easily cause you to over-consume or under-consume your calories.
Also, Chipotle’s food does have high levels of sodium, which can prove to be detrimental in the long run.
If you travel a lot or are looking to satiate a fast food craving, go with Chipotle.
4. Yogurt
You’d think yogurt itself is already a healthy alternative.
Think again!
Certain yogurts contain lots of sugar.
Sugar mean extra fat.
You don’t want extra fat.
Kirkland Plain Nonfat Greek Yogurt
One serving of Kirkland’s Greek Yogurt (⅔ of a cup) only has 100 calories and has 18g of protein per serving when compared to “luxury” brands of yogurt.
On top of its protein content (which is essential if you’re looking to build muscle), the strength of this food is its versatility.
You can make this food sweet or savory. Looking for a sour cream alternative? Add a dollop to your burrito.
Looking for a desert snack? Add some berries.
Looking for a protein-packed snack? Add a scoop of your protein powder and mix it up!
The possibilities are endless.
All in all . . .
Cutting back your calories doesn’t have to suck. You just need to know the healthier alternatives!
Now that you know some alternatives, get out there and get healthy!
Good luck!
The Anabolic Surge 