Diet advice

Small Swaps for Weight Loss.

If you’re looking to lose weight, making small adjustments to your eating habits can be just as effective as major life changes.I’mHungry GirlLisa Lillien, and I’m here with five small swaps for big weight loss.

Swap Bread Slices and Sandwich Buns for Lettuce Wraps and Cabbage Buns

This swap makes a BIG difference. You can save hundreds of carby calories in one meal by trading starchy bread products for leafy produce.

The best part of a sandwich is what's inside, anyway! Either wrap up your sandwich/burger goodies in fresh lettuce leaves (iceberg or butter works best), or go for steamed leaves of cabbage. Just remember to keep the rest of your sandwichingredients on the healthy side.

Skip Oily Potato-Based French Fries, and Bake up Carrot Fries Instead

I’m a sucker for French fries… as are most humans on this planet! The problem is that they’re usually loaded with caloriesdue to the carby potatoes and the oil they're fried in. But you can enjoy the taste and texture of fries without overdoing it in the calorie and fat departments. Just replace the potatoes with carrots, and bake them instead of frying. All you need to do is cut peeled carrots into French-fry-shaped spears, lay them on a baking sheet, and sprinkle with salt. Then bake for 15 minutes on each side at 425 degrees, and voila! French fries for a fraction of the calories.

You’re going to want to tell your friends about this.

Swap Standard Pasta for DIYZucchini Noodles

Did you know that one cup of regular cooked pasta has about 200 calories and 40 grams of carbs? Just one little cup! That’s completely unnecessary, especially when you consider that pasta doesn’t usually have much flavor; it’s the toppings that really make the meal.

Use zucchini noodles instead, and you can double your portion size for a mere 70 calories and 14 grams of carbs, plus 4 grams of fiber. No contest. And don’t be intimidated by the preparation: As long as you have the right tools,making zucchini noodles into low-carb pastais so easy.

Trade Potato Chips for 94% Fat-Free Popcorn

Swapping out chips, crackers, and other crunchy snacks for 94 percent fat-free popcorn is one of the best small changes you can make when you’re looking to lose weight. That's because you can havefive cupsof the popcorn for about 100 calories. That’s one high-volume snack! Mix it with freeze-dried fruit or mini semi-sweet chocolate chips for some added flavor. Taco seasoning is another tasty add-in, if you’re looking for something on the savory side.

If popcorn isn't your thing, tryother smart snackswith 100 calories or less.

Swap Carb-Heavy Baking Ingredients for Canned Beans

Yes, seriously! Over the years, I’ve used everything from canned pure pumpkin to applesauce to nonfat Greek yogurt in dessert recipes, but canned beans might be my favorite baking swap yet!

Black beans provide the perfect texture for decadent dishes like brownies and chocolate cake, and chickpeas are great in blondies and peanut-butter desserts. The beans provide protein and fiber, which is something that can’t be said for typical baking ingredients like flour and butter! Beans are better. Enough said. Trymy favorite recipes with beans.