Simple ways to shave 250 Calories

These 9 challenges will help you burn more calories, eat less & reap major effects with less effort

It’s been drilled into our heads that 3,500 calories equals a pound of fat—cut 500 calories every day for a week and you’ll be a pound lighter. But according to a new study in theLancet, most people actually will lose only half the weight predicted by the 3,500-calorie rule. Why? Muscle burns more calories than fat, so the rate at which your body gains and loses weight depends on, in part, your body’s make up.

Before you throw your diet—or scale—out the window in frustration, change your expectations. It might sound counterintuitive, but the same study suggests that you’re better off cutting just 250 calories a day. You’ll still lose about 25 pounds over 3 years and probably feel less deprived while you’re at it. So lose weight the easy way. Here, 15 ways to shave 250 calories from your day.

Nix the Muffin

Shave 340 calories
America may run on Dunkin’, but your body could probably run on fewer calories and still function just fine. Instead of going with the chocolate chip muffin (610 calories, 23 g of fat), order a chocolate frosted doughnut (270 calories, 15 g of fat) and save 340 calories.

Make Your Own Trail Mix

Shave 251 calories
Loaded with way too much sugary dried fruit and candy, store-bought trail mix has veered far from the good-old raisin and peanut blend from your Cub Scout days. A half-cup of the store-bought kind packs an average of 346 calories! Shave off 176 calories by making your own concoction with 1/2 cup of Fiber One cereal, 15 raisins, and 15 peanuts, suggests Erin Palinski, RD. Trade your regular 20 ounces of Gatorade for the low-cal G2 version and cut another 75 calories.

Take a Hike

Shaves 250 calories
Grab your hiking shoes and head out to enjoy the fall foliage. A 160-pound person will torch 250 calories every 35 minutes spent trekking on the trail.

Split Dessert

Shave 246 calories
Life’s little pleasures are better when you share them. Divvy up a slice of tiramisu with that special someone and save close to 250 calories.

Make Mashed Potatoes with Greek Yogurt

Shave 480 calories
Channel Paula Deen and your mashed potatoes—complete with butter, cheese and a liberal helping of sour cream—can pack up to 600 calories per serving. Upgrade the nutritional value of this side dish by subbing in Greek yogurt for sour cream and cutting down on butter, recommends Palinski. The spuds will still be rich and creamy, but for 480 fewer calories.

Eat Just the Inside of Your Pie

Shave 250 calories
Skip the calorie-laden piecrust and enjoy the warm filling, says Sari Greaves, RD, nutrition director at Step Ahead Weight Loss Center in Bedminster, NJ. That alone will cut about 150 calories. Say no to the dollop of whipped cream (save 30 calories) and trade your scoop of vanilla Häagen-Dazs for one from its Five line (save 70 calories).

Choose a Broth-Based Soup

Shave 300 calories
“Eating a broth-based soup instead of a cream-based one is going to be a lot healthier,” says Palinski. Not only does cream have more fat and calories, but also it’s typically used in soups made with starchy carbs, such as potatoes. While a serving of New England clam chowder can pack up to 480 calories, a cup of minestrone can warm you up for only 180 calories.

Drink Water before Every Meal

Shave 270 calories
Drinking two glasses of water before eating may reduce your consumption by 90 calories a meal, report Virginia Tech researchers. Want other strategies to eat less? Eating slowly can help you shave 66 calories per meal; chewing gum before you eat can cut another 68 calories.

source: fitbie.com