7 sneaky ways to cut the calories needed to lose weight

Are you looking to lose weight, even if it's just a kilo or two? The good news is, you don't necessarily need to slash your portions drastically, or go all out at the gym.
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You can still cut just enough calories needed to lose weight, without feeling deprived. So, forget the calorie counter, and try these sneaky ways to slim down your diet...
Use a bowl
As someone with a weakness for salt and vinegar chips, I won’t tell you that you can’t occasionally forgo low calorie foods and indulge your junk food craving instead. But to minimise the calorie damage, don’t just mindlessly demolish your snack straight from the bag or box. Instead, take five extra seconds to transfer a more modest serving to a small bowl. By exercising portion control, you’ll know exactly how much you're eating – and still have room left for dinner!
BYO Popcorn
Popcorn and the movies are a lot like eggs and bacon: they go hand in hand. Unfortunately, a small movie theatre popcorn can contain 500 calories or more – almost a quarter of your recommended daily intake! The good news? You can still get your fix: simply bring a bag of light microwave popcorn from home. You’ll consume around half the calories, plus it’s a whole lot cheaper!
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Have a hearty breakfast
A proper breakfast is essential for boosting your metabolism, but this doesn’t mean you can’t still cut some calorie corners (while still meeting your daily calorie requirements). Instead of sugary granola or processed cereal, opt for a steaming bowl of oatmeal with a bit of Greek yoghurt (a great low calorie breakfast). For extra flavour without the side of guilt, add healthy toppings such as fresh berries or a bit of cinnamon.
Embrace al dente
Cooking your pasta right doesn’t just mean it’ll taste better – it’s also better for you. Why? Well, according to Johanna Burani, RD, the author of Good Carbs, Bad Carbs, "hot water breaks down the bonds between starch molecules” – meaning the longer you boil your pasta, the quicker your body converts those carbs into fuel. If you opt for the shortest cooking time (usually found on the back of the box), it’ll take longer to digest, keep you fuller for longer and ward off food cravings.
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Chop your veggies chunky
It’s great to go for oven-baked over pan-fried veggies (we're all the about the plant-based diet), but if you’re dousing them with lots of oil, they’re still going to have a high calorie count. The more individual pieces you cut, the more surface area there is for the oil to stick to. The sneaky solution? Chop your veggies at least half an inch thick and coat them lightly using a spray oil instead of a bottle. How's that for a clever way to cut the calories needed to lose weight?
Indulge your food fantasy
If you’re anything like me, you often find yourself thinking about dinner before you’ve even finished your lunch. But don’t feel guilty – anticipating a meal can actually lower your appetite. A study conducted by German PhD, Dr Hallschmind found that thinking about a meal in advance helps to rein in ghrelin (the hunger hormone) levels, making you feel fuller sooner and consume less calories during the actual meal. *Resumes delicious dinner fantasy*
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Turn the lights down
It may sound crazy, but a recent study from Cornell University says mood lighting could be the key to cutting calories. People who ate a meal under soft, warm lighting consumed nearly 200 fewer calories than those who feasted in brightly lit places – apparently, this could be because the bright lights were similar to the ones found in fast food restaurants, creating a psychological need to rush through meals and eat more.
Do you have any good tips or tricks for sticking to a healthy diet?
193 Member Comments
Super interesting who know that lighting would affect your food
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Thanks for the info
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Omg the mood lighting sounds interesting reducing calories
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Was surprised to read about the mood lighting! Have never heard of that before.
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I believe in moderation! That's the key to most of everything really. But I agree with the indulge your craving bit
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Not too sure whether mood lighting works at our place, especially when friends are sitting at the same table.
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I need to listen to some of these tips
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Mood lighting is interesting.
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I do like my pasta well cooked, but now I know what all the fuss is with cooking pasta al dente!
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I have a small red bowl for junk food, does work well that tip
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I def like the treat your indulgences advice!!
I recently bought some really big bowls !!! Hahaha
Also eat fresh. Limit food from a package if you can! Markets are great for inspiration . Just go once a week and get a trolley full . Then cut and eat! and get meal ideas from the net. Blend for shakes and soups. Make dips ! Then add protein of your choice! Heaps of good ideas! Thanks BH!
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Eating with a bowl is so trendy. Having a hearty breakfast does work wonders sometimes.
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I recently started the bowl method and it has made such a difference. You have a clear point to stop without going completely without
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i have a light breakfast, heavy lunch and light dinner. Seems to be okay so far.
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mmm gotta love that bowl of nourishing and comforting pasta
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Very interesting read with great suggestions.
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I don't deprive myself of anything, but do cut back on portions. Also limit the morning and afternoon teas and the weight falls off
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Interesting article.
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I have a very slow metabolism so I need to be careful not to eat more calories than I can burn in between meals - so low calorie dense foods and portion control are very important for me
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I'm a big believer in moderation! I find the lighting fact interesting. We usually have mood lighting in our kitchen but I will say I always eat fast. It's a struggle for me to eat slower.
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I like simplicity: just eat healthy (da#n it)!
Problem is, people do not know what 'healthy' means nowadays with heaps of misinformation out there....when one figures that out, they are winners. And no, we are not all different, we are all human species with same physiology...now just go and figure it all out ;)
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Interesting ideas here!
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Interesting read... I am a big believer in drinking water but another tip is that apparently there is some research that suggests that eating off blue plates somehow tricks your mind into feeling fuller...not sure if it's true but worth a try!
And soup...replacing one meal with a filling soup always works for me.
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I've been very successful lately on my diet, it's great to read new tips and ideas. Think the key is always a balance - and lots of water!
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