as i get further into my diet, i will plan to update this page (or make additional pages) with even more of my favorite foods and their nutrition content. for now, just some of my favorite low cal options. i focused on a few that other sites don’t mention. everyone knows the regulars like chicken broth, cabbage stew, diet popsicles etc.
solids
- salsa is a great snack & gets those veggie nutrients into your diet if you’re like me and don’t eat enough servings as it is.
i recommend Muir Glen Organic Salsa — Garlic Cilantro (medium), 10 cals
i try for organic whenever possible & this salsa is delicious with a lot of flavor. it quickly became my favorite! i’ve noticed that the more flavor + level of spiciness a food has, the more full it will make you feel.
you can tasty up some egg-whites with a dab of this stuff with a sprinkle of cheese for a low cal omelette and it’s easy to stay at 150 cals with a serving of tortilla chips or even less with a small pita.
- cereal is a great low cal option for any meal. many cereals are just barely over 100 cals a serving and make great snacks and meal options. those with whole grains are extra filling. i really like kashi cereal. my faves are Strawberry Fields & Heart to Heart Honey Toasted Oat because they are sweet enough to be enjoyable, contain many nutrients, and 120/110 a serving.
- salad is the BEST! i love getting those mix bags in the store. about 15 cals for a large bowl of salad. i mix my own dressing with vinegar & seasonings. again the bolder taste of mixes like Italian Seasonings means you don’t need as much (not even a whole serving size of dressing)
- jello is another fave of mine. it’s only 80 cals (less for sugar free) & filling plus it is so good for your nails & hair. you will notice a big difference in the strength of your nails if you eat jello often.
- soup is great and easy as there are so many canned soups that are around 100 cals. Progresso has been marketing the under 100 but if you check any soup out, the majority are right around that amount/serving anyways.
- i have fallen in love with fruits again. many fruits are negative cal foods because in the digestion process they burn as much or more calories as they contain.
i still like to count the cals in my daily quota, but it’s good to stock up on these for when you have a craving. they are:
apples, blueberries, cantaloupe, cranberries, grapefruit, honeydew, lemon, lime, mango, orange, papaya, peach, pineapple, raspberry, strawberry, tomato, tangerine, turnip, watermelon.
- there are also neg cal veggies!!! they are:
asparagus, beet, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, chicory, hot chile, cucumber, garden cress, garlic, green beans, lettuce, onion, radish, spinach, turnip, zucchini.
liquids
- WATER!!! the recommended daily dose of H2O is eight 6 oz. glasses a day. you need to keep your whole body hydrated.
- diet soda is o.k. but try to cut down on this too. studies have shown you’re likely to ingest more calories drinking diet than regular soda!
- teas or coffees are often dehydrating but can be a good appetite suppressant, again, moderation is best.
- milk has cals (110 for 1% & 80 for skim) but it is more filling & nutritious than other drinks. soy is an option, but don’t be too afraid of the real stuff, the benefits outweigh the negs if consumed in moderation.
other tips
- sodium causes you to bloat & hold on to more water-weight so watch your salt intake.
- get a multi-vitamin for any nutrients you may be missing out of as a result of your diet.
