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