Best Ways to Spend 500 Calories
As promised, we're continuing our "Best Ways" to spend calorie series, which is also my next TODAY show segment. (Check back later for the video.) We're talking 500 calories, which can sound like a lot, but is about what you're looking for in at least two of your daily meals.For those trying to lose weight, many are aiming for about 1500 calories, a ballpark number which might be higher or lower, depending on your starting weight, age, activity and other factors. I'm often asked about "special" meals, like a brunch, and how to avoid that sense of deprivation when we feel we'd like to indulge. Of course, these are just guidelines, and you can add or subtract 100 calories or so to round out a meal or save calories for later. It's all what works best for you.
Here are some of my favorites that you can take from home, order in a restaurant, or eat on the go. What are some of yours? Post away! We all need all the help we can get!
500 Calorie Brunch
·Vegetable/egg white omelet (100 calories total)·5 eggs whites (75 calories) and chopped onions, peppers, tomatoes (25 calories)
·2 slices (center cut) regular or Canadian bacon (60 calories)
·2 4-inch pancakes (150 calories)
·¼ cup low-cal syrup (30 calories)
·½ cup fat free plain yogurt (40 calories)
·½ cup raspberries (40 calories)
·1 Mimosa [3 oz. champagne 2 oz. orange juice] (80 calories)
500 Calorie Soup and Sandwich
·Chunky Vegetable Soup (100 calories)·Ham and Cheese Sandwich (300 calories)
·3 ounces lean, low-fat ham (120 calories)
·1 thin slice (about 3/4 ounce) low-fat swiss cheese (80 calories)
·2 thin slices100% whole wheat bread or "light" 100% whole wheat bread (90 calories)
·Lettuce, sliced pickles, mustard (10 calories)
·100 calorie pack cookies or 100 calorie candy bar (100 calories)
500 Calorie Steak Dinner
·4 ounces cooked, rare, eye of round (about 3-4 slices) (180 calories)·½ cup cooked couscous (with finely chopped carrots, onion added) (100 calories)
·1 cup steamed green beans (fresh or frozen) (25 calories)
·4 chocolate-dipped whole strawberries (75 calories)
·4 ounces red wine (120 calories)
500 Calorie Fast Food Meal
·Arby's Regular Roast Beef Sandwich 320·BBQ Sauce 30
·Whole Baked Potato 150
·Chick-Fil-A or Burger King Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich (270 calories)
·Honey Mustard Sauce (30 calories)
·½ bag small waffle fries or BK kiddie fries (to share!) (140 calories)
·Small Side Salad with 1 tablespoon light dressing (60 calories)
·"Kid's Meal"
·Hamburger 250 cal
·Kiddie fries 250 cal
What about drinks?
Choose water, any diet soda, or beverage of your choice. Coffee and tea can be good choices, but keep the add-ons to a minimum (cream, sugar, flavorings). Stick with black tea or coffee for a no-cal beverage, and be mindful of amounts of "real" cream and sugar, or limit calories with a substitute. Avoid wasting precious calories on liquids!
Comments
Drastically cutting hundreds of calories when eating out is very possible for every person to achieve. Anybody who eats out should read the book "Eat This Not That," a book that shows that behind each burger, turkey sandwich, and ice cream sundae is a simple decision that could help you control your weight-and your life. For example: Burger King doesn't want you to know that a BK Big Fish. Sandwich and fries have a whopping 1000 calories-nearly half your daily caloric intake! At Chipotle, you can cut 570 calories out of your Chicken Burrito just by ordering it as a bowl (without the tortilla) and asking them to hold the rice. (Same great taste, but with 94 fewer carb grams!)
The book is packed with tons of valuable information and pictures, and guides you to making the best choices in a variety of real-life situations. With the "eat this" food on the left page and the "not that" on the right for easy comparison.
http://www.buzzillions.com/prd-802473-eat-this-not-that-reviews/
These are some of the best pieces I've seen as a practical solution for watching calorie intake! Thanks!
Ham is not healthy, get this off the program :)
Why are sodium counts rarely addressed in any caloric or weight loss article? Not only is salt bad for many health problems, but it retains fluids, making you feel bloated and giving poor "weigh-ins".
Why are sodium counts rarely addressed in any caloric or weight loss article? Not only is salt bad for many health problems, but it retains fluids, making you feel bloated and giving poor "weigh-ins".
Why are sodium counts rarely addressed in any caloric or weight loss article? Not only is salt bad for many health problems, but it retains fluids, making you feel bloated and giving poor "weigh-ins".
I agree that sodium content should definitely be considered. But I believe this article's main point is referencing caloric and portion size; hence the title.
Ham, like all cold cuts, are high in sodium, but I wouldn't go so far as calling it unhealthy. I've eaten ham almost every week for at least 15 years and my bodyfat floats around 10% with no other health problems. The key to balance is disciplined and daily exercise with a sensible diet. Eat and train like a competitive athlete and pretty soon your body will start to look like one.
How do you figure out how mant calories you should eat a day.
To Crimson Platypus ;-)
U sound like u know what u are talkin about!
I suspect some more of u`re opinions can be very goody!
what about a plan, lets say 30- day -plan?
could u?
Kindly, Reidun
How about a hypoglycemic diet? How do you keep the blood sugar up and not overeat?
Chris - I know it's hard to track Calories, but ivillage has a calorie counter... just look under diet and fitness. You can enter in what foods you eat, plus it also assists you in roughly how many calories you should be eating per day if you want to keep a close watch.
Chris, the average person needs 15 calories per pound of body weight each day to maintain their body weight. For every 5,500 calories you consume in excess of that, you will gain a pound. Vice versa, for every 5,500 you consume below that, you will lose a pound.
ok, i'm 12, and feel overweight. what can i do? eating 1500 cals a day wont help me lose any weight what are some things i can eat that are around 250 clas per meal?
thankz for the helps girlies :)
ok, i'm 12, and feel overweight. what can i do? eating 1500 cals a day wont help me lose any weight what are some things i can eat that are around 250 clas per meal?
thankz for the helps girlies :)
ok, i'm 12, and feel overweight. what can i do? eating 1500 cals a day wont help me lose any weight what are some things i can eat that are around 250 clas per meal?
thankz for the helps girlies :)
