While dieting can be tough, not every meal has to be made with oatmeal and spinach—and if you're looking for more options than just salad or grilled chicken breasts (which yes, they are delicious), there are plenty out there that won't make you feel sluggish after eating them.
It's time you learned how to eat more and still be full with these super hacks to end your dieting woes.
Here are some low-calorie meal ideas that will help you keep your lifestyle healthy while still feeling sexy:
Low-Calorie Density Foods
The key to making eating healthy sexy is not just about cutting calories, but also making sure you're getting enough fiber and water.
Low-calorie density foods are those that are high in water and fiber and low in fat. When combined with other nutrients such as protein and healthy fats, these foods can fill you up without adding unnecessary calories to your diet—and they might even help keep you fuller longer!
Some examples of low-calorie density foods include:
Whole foods
Veggies like broccoli or cauliflower (steamed)
Snacks like protein bars and fruits
Whole Foods
Whole foods are foods that have not been processed or refined. They're high in fiber, vitamins and minerals, phytochemicals (plant chemicals), water content and nutrients.
Whole foods are low in calories because they contain more nutritional value than highly processed items like white bread or pasta made from refined flours.
Steel-cut oatmeal. It has a lower glycemic index than regular oats, which means it won't spike your blood sugar levels as much as more processed foods do. In fact, most people can eat steel-cut oatmeal without any effect on their blood sugar levels at all! This makes them perfect for those looking to lose weight or maintain healthy eating habits.
Brown rice. This is a whole grain that is rich in fiber, magnesium and B Vitamins. It also contains manganese, selenium and phosporus- all of which play vital roles in maintaining muscle function
Vegetables
Broccoli. It contains about 5 grams of fiber per cup—and that's not even counting all of those delicious nutrients like vitamins C, K and beta-carotene that come with it too!
Cauliflower. If you're looking for something more substantial than a few vegetables can provide (and if you don't mind adding some extra work), try eating cauliflower instead: One serving has 2 grams more than broccoli per cup!
Carrots, celery and cucumbers. These trifecta are all high in water content. They are also high in fiber, which keeps you full for longer and helps to lower your blood sugar levels. They’re low in calories, fat, protein and sugar. What more could you want?
Steamed asparagus. It is not only a great side dish to any meal, but it's also a great snack. Asparagus is low in calories and high in fiber, which means that you can eat as much as you want without gaining weight. It also provides vitamins A and C, folate (folic acid), manganese and potassium! If you want to add some extra flavor to your meal or if your taste buds are craving something savory after a heavy breakfast then steaming fresh spears of this veggie will do the trick for sure!
Lettuce. It is a great source of vitamins A and K. It’s also rich in folate, manganese and calcium. It’s low calorie density; one cup of lettuce has about 15 calories! I recommend romaine or bibb lettuce because they have more flavor than iceberg lettuce.
Snacking
Snacking is a great way to keep your metabolism going and maintain energy levels throughout the day. It's also important that you choose snacks that are low in calories, high in nutrition, and free of sugar.
You can combine these factors with an emphasis on protein and fiber as well as water (for hydrating purposes). Here are some ideas:
Protein bars or gels—these portable foods are convenient when you're running errands or traveling on vacation. Plus they'll help keep hunger at bay!
Fruit—it's one of my favorite healthy treats because it offers tons of antioxidants while being naturally sweet enough not to need additional sugar added back into it.
Cooking at Home
Cooking is a great way to save money and eat healthier, but it's also fun! You control what goes into your food (which means you get to customize it) and you can make a variety of things that are delicious (like baked chicken breast with cashews, or oatmeal cookies).
You'll probably have more vegetables than meat on hand because veggies are cheaper than meat and they're actually good for us. This means that when someone comes over for dinner, there won't be much left over after everyone has eaten—you didn't waste anything!
Eating Out
When you're ordering at a restaurant, ask the chef if he or she is willing to special order for you. This can be anything from a low-calorie meal to an entire dish made without butter or oil.
You could also try requesting something off-menu at fast food restaurants (like Subway) and see if they'll accommodate your request!
Conclusion
It’s time to ditch the hate on low-calorie foods, because they are so much more than just a way to survive or lose weight. They can be delicious, nutrient-dense treats that help boost your energy and mood.
And as long as you keep a healthy balance of protein, carbs, and fat when snacking away from home (or at least knowing what’s in your snacks!), you can feel full without feeling like you’re missing out on anything important.
Struggling with structuring your meals? We got you, book a 15 minute strategy call with our team here and we'll get you sorted!
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