5 Smart Food Swaps That'll Help You Beat Those Cravings
It'd be nice if we always really wanted carrots and broccoli, but face it, that's not going to happen. At least there's a way to outsmart your appetite by going for foods with similar taste and texture.
1. "I could really go for some nachos."
A plateful of nachos with the works can have 1,520 calories and 100 grams of fat. Kill the craving for just 190 calories and 8 grams of fat by filling a crispy taco shell with refried beans, reduced-fat Cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, and salsa. You win by saving 1,330 calories and 92 grams of fat.
Related: These 15 Foods Will Help You Lose Weight
2. "I need to devour a pizza, stat."
A single slice of four-cheese pizza can cost you 330 calories and 11 grams of fat. But if you take half of a whole wheat pita and top it with chopped tomatoes, some shredded light mozzarella cheese, and some basil and oregano, you can satisfy that pizza craving for 196 calories and 8 grams of fat. You win by saving 134 calories and 3 grams of fat.
3. "Potato skins would really hit the spot right now."
An order of loaded potato skins has a frightening 2,040 calories and 131 grams of fat. Forget these exist, but get the same satisfaction with a medium baked potato topped with microwave-steamed broccoli and some reduced-fat Cheddar cheese for just 250 calories and 4 grams of fat. You win by saving 1,790 calories and 127 grams of fat.
Related: 21 Ways to Show Your Cravings Who's Boss
4. "I'm only going to eat one ice cream bar, I promise."
Just one 5-ounce chocolate-covered ice cream bar comes in at 290 calories and 20 grams of fat. Get the same chocolatey taste: Insert an ice-cream stick into a ripe banana, roll it in a crumbled reduced-fat chocolate wafer, and freeze it for only 78 calories and 1 gram of fat. You win by saving 212 calories and 19 grams of fat.
Related: 7 Ways Your Kitchen Is Making You Fat
5. "Mmm... fresh apple pie."
A slice of homemade apple pie is around 411 calories and 19 grams of fat. A homemade baked apple sprinkled with cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar and microwaved at 70% power until tender (about 3 minutes) is only 108 calories and 0 grams of fat. You win by saving 303 calories and 19 grams of fat.
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