LOW CALORIE SNACKS

low-calorie snacks

Giving in to the munchies can compound calories in no time, so a good way to beat the problem is to nibble on low-calorie snacks.

Tossed Salad (40 calories)

Most men do not eat enough salad, but replacing nasty snacks (you all know your weaknesses) with a leafy salad with onions, tomatoes, peppers, and sliced radish is the surest way to cut down on calories and lose weight. Add any low-calorie dressing and you're ready to roll.

Raisin Bread (60 calories)

Why eat cookies or chips when you can toast some raisin bread?

Fruit Salad (1 cup -- 50 calories)

Fruit salad makes for a perfect snack. It is very sweet and one small cup is enough to fill you up.

Air-Popped Popcorn (1 cup -- 50 calories)

Oil-popped popcorn can contain up to 150 calories and microwaveable popcorn can be high in saturated fat, so simply air-pop those kernels; they're great snacks. Avoid the butter -- it's loaded with calories.

unnecessary calories to avoid

• Processed, precooked foods
• TV dinners are always higher in calories than homemade foods in the same category.
• Saturated fat, so avoid cream soups, creamy dressings, creamy dips, and fried food.
• Steam your vegetables.
• Cut down on muffins; they contain up to 450 calories. The same goes for croissants, which contain 420 calories each.
• Candy bars might look innocent enough, but the average bar (2 oz.) can contain around 300 calories, and you know you can't settle for just one.

low-calorie success

From this point forward, I expect that you'll start watching what you eat and stick with a low-calorie plan. And not just for a couple of weeks -- you need to make a lifestyle change. Use the aforementioned examples to make your own low-calorie meals and you'll lose that unnecessary weight in no time.

Credit for this article goes to www.askmen.com

LOW CALORIE DINNERS

low-calorie dinners

Eat these meals for dinner and you'll be lean in no time.

2 Chicken Fajitas (300 calories)

Ingredients:

• 2 corn tortillas
• 1 sliced chicken breast
• 1 sliced large bell pepper
• 1 sliced onion
• 4 tbsps tomato juice
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• Garlic powder

Directions:

1- Simmer sliced chicken breast, bell peppers, onions, tomato juice, chili powder and garlic powder in a skillet until chicken breast is cooked and sauce thickens.
2- Microwave tortillas and add the chicken mix.

Asian Stir-Fry (350 calories)

Ingredients:

• Sliced lean beef
• 1 large garlic clove
• ½ medium sized sliced yellow onion
• 1 chopped medium red pepper
• 1 chopped carrot
• 1 chopped head of broccoli
• 1 tbsp canola oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsps soy sauce
• 2 tbsps sesame sauce
• 2 tbsps garlic sauce
• salt, cayenne pepper to taste

Directions:

1- Toss beef, salt and cayenne pepper in a bowl.
2- Sauté beef mix in a wok (hey, we're making Asian here) for 5 minutes.
3- Remove the Sauté mix but leave the leftover sauce in the pan.
4- Add garlic and onions to the wok and Sauté for about 4 minutes, then add the rest of the vegetables.
5- Reduce heat and add beef to the vegetables, then add lemon juice and soy sauce.

Barbecue Chicken Thigh (320 calories)

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless and skinless chicken thighs
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp barbecue powder

Directions:

1- In a bowl, mix the chicken and oil.
2- Add barbecue powder and let it sit (in a refrigerator) for at least half an hour.
3- Pre-heat oven at 450°F.
4- Place the chicken in tinfoil (shape foil into a bowl-like receptacle with the top slightly open).
5- Roast the chicken in the oven for about 40 minutes.

The credit for this article goes to www.askmen.com

LOW CALORIE LUNCHES

low-calorie lunches

Sandwiches make a great healthy lunch choice, especially when one is pressed for time and doesn't like eating fancy meals at work. Best of all, ingredients can be easily added or modified to suit one's taste without ruining the meal. They are easy to prepare, so no instructions are needed. The following make great low-calorie lunches (notice they include the aforementioned low-calorie ingredients).

Tuna Sandwich (290 calories)

Ingredients:

• ½ cup tuna in water
• 1 tbsp fat-free Miracle Whip™
• 2 slices of whole-wheat bread
• Slice of yellow onion
• Leaf of lettuce
• Slice of tomato (or two)

Turkey Pita (260 calories)

Ingredients:

• 1 whole-wheat pita
• 6 smoked turkey slices
• 3 slices low-fat cheddar
• Slice of yellow onion
• Leaf of lettuce
• Slice of tomato

Smoked Chicken Sandwich (240 calories)

Ingredients:

• 2 slices whole-wheat bread
• 6 smoked chicken slices
• Sliced bell pepper
• Leaf of lettuce
• 1 tbsp barbecue sauce

The credit for this article goes to www.askmen.com

LOW CALORIE BREAKFAST

low-calorie breakfasts

If you're going to start the day, you might as well start on the right foot, and that means a low-calorie breakfast.

Bagel with fat-free cream cheese (200 calories)

Why stuff yourself with bacon and eggs when a quick bagel will do the trick? Just remember that regular cream cheese can have up to 40 grams of fat per teaspoon, so fat-free alternatives are always better.

Oatmeal with raisins (170 calories)

Most guys add milk to their oatmeal, but using water or skim milk instead can be even healthier. Oatmeal is easy to digest and jump-starts the system like no other breakfast. It's also a great pre-workout food since it is light on the stomach and contains plenty of slow carbs.

Banana milkshake with juice (280 calories)

If finding the time to make breakfast is just as hard as choosing the right ingredients to make a low-calorie meal, then breakfast shakes are the answer. All it takes is a blender, 1 cup of 2% milk, a small banana, and a bit of juice for flavour. There is no substitute for milk when making milkshakes (hence the name), but such breakfasts are still healthier than pancakes with syrup and butter...