The trick to slimming down is choosing foods that help fire up your metabolism and or leave you feeling full so you don't go all bottomless pit at your next meal.
1. OATMEAL
When a craving for creamy comfort food hits, pop a package of instant flavored oatmeal into the microwave. Each has about 100 calories of belly-filling oat grains and fiber.
2. AN OMELETTE
Whisk together for egg whites and yolk with sliced peppers or tomatoes, and cook in skillet over medium heat. The result: healthy, flavorful snack under 150 calories. Most of the protein in eggs is found in the whites, and protein boosts your metabolism.
3. VEGGIE BURGER
Made from soy rather than meat, these guiltless substitute are flavorful yet low in fat. With just 100 calories each, it can be eaten on a whole-wheat bun without your going over your snack calorie quota.
4. SWEET POTATO FRIES
You've desperate for fast-food fries, but there are 380 calories in medium sized fries. So, make these faux fries- the same amount has half the calories . Here's how easy it is: Cut thin slices of sweet potato, brush with one teaspoon olive oil, sprinkle on some salt or cinnamon, and then baked them at 425 degrees for 30 minutes. Sweet potato contains satisfying fiber, which stabilizes blood sugar, keeping you from craving even more junk food later on in the day.
5. POPCORN
A single microwavable serving without butter or flavoring has about 130 calories- that's 3 1/2 cups of popcorn for fewer calories. The serving is low in fat and surprisingly high in fiber.
6. APPLE SLICES
This is loaded with fiber; it fill you up quickly and keep you that way for a long time. Slices from half an apple eaten with 1 1/2 tablespoon of peanut butter run you about 200 calories.
7. FAT FREE YOGURT
this trendy, tangy, and portable snack is high in protein and lo in sugar, and some brands have fewer than 80 calories in a single serving container. a recent study found that people who ate three servings a day had a healthier body weight than those who didn't eat yogurt.
8. DRIED FRUITS
Chewy, fiber-rich dried fruit (make sure that there is no sugar added) appeases your sweet tooth and helps keep you feeling fuller longer than most vendo treats do. One-third cup of dried mangoes has fewer than 150 calories.
9. NUTS
Don't let the fact that nuts are high in fat scare you; the monosaturated kind keeps your heart healthy and is filling. And, your body burns calories just to digest all that protein. Keep your daily intake to 1/4 cup, which is about 200 calories.
10. STRING CHEESE
Cheese has always considered a weight-loss enemy, and most diets warn you away from it. But high-protein, part-skim string cheese is terrific slim-down food. One package has about six grams of protein and fewer than 75 calories. And it doesn't need to be refrigerated constantly, so you can pop a few in your purse for when you find yourself facing a snack emergency.
SOME TIPS TO FIGHT OF YOUR CRAVINGS!
- CHUG WATER
Feeling the urge to snack when you've eaten recently can be sign that you're dehydrated, nutritionists say. Drink a glass of water and see if the craving disappears.
- BRUSH YOU TEETH
It's psychological cue to your brain that you are finished eating for a while. Plus, there's just something about having a minty, squeaky clean mouth that makes you want to keep it away.
- GO FOR A WALK
Even if it's a quick lap around your office or a stroll down block, a few minutes of exercise in addition to change of scenery can help take your mind off eating, say a weight loss experts.