3 Healthy Habits that Aren’t Just for Weight Loss

By: Jill Weisenberger, MS, RDN, CDE, FAND —

It’s common for dieters to bump up their exercise, trim portions, eat more low-calorie foods and make other positive lifestyle changes. But should people who aren’t worrying with their weight make these changes? Here are three healthy living strategies worth doing whether we want to lose weight or not.

Healthy Habit #1: Move!

Exercise does far more than burn calories. Yes, it does help manage weight, but even without weight loss, exercise improves insulin resistance and decreases markers of chronic inflammation. Regular exercise is associated with reduced risks of heart disease, some cancers, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and more. It strengthens bones and muscles, improves mood and increases your chances of living both longer and healthier.[i] [ii] So how much exercise is necessary? Guideline #1 is any exercise (even 5 minutes) is better than none.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following for healthy adults:

  • 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week
  • At least two muscle-strengthening sessions each week that cover legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms

And don’t forget to be active between exercise sessions. Long periods of sedentary behavior are also unhealthful.

Healthy Habit #2: Cut Back on Added Sugars

A mere tablespoon of added sugar or honey contributes 45 – 60 calories, which can add up fast for anyone watching calories. But excessive added sugars are linked to poor health in ways other than weight gain. The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugars to reduce the risk of dying from heart disease.[iii] Added sugars may contribute to elevated triglycerides and other metabolic abnormalities.

Healthy Habit #3: Load Up on Non-starchy Vegetables

Non-starchy vegetables like carrots, kale and cauliflower add only about 20 or so calories per ½ cup. Plus, they’re very filling, making them a calorie counter’s good friend. But these nutritional powerhouses are so much more. They provide fiber, potassium, magnesium, folate, and vitamins A, C and K. And they’re brimming with health-boosting phytochemicals, natural plant compounds that interact with other nutrients to shield us from disease. A healthy diet rich in vegetables is linked to lower blood pressure and healthier hearts. It lowers the risk of stroke, type 2 diabetes and several cancers too. The federal government’s MyPlate recommends that adults eat at least two to three cups of vegetables daily.

Take steps today to improve your chances for living a long, happy, healthy life. Take a walk, eat vegetables with every lunch and dinner and cut back on added sugars.Resources[i] CDC guidelines on exercise: http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/  
[ii] Sedentary Behaviors and Subsequent Health Outcomes in Adults Thorp AA, Owen N, Neuhaus M, and Dunstan DW
[iii] American Heart Association. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/HealthyEating/Added-Sugars-Add-to-Your-Risk-of-Dying-from-Heart-Disease_UCM_460319_Article.jsp

Jill Weisenberger, MS, RDN, CDE, FAND has worked as both a nutrition counselor and a diabetes educator in the hospital and research settings, and now in private practice in Newport News, VA. Jill is the author of Diabetes Weight Loss – Week by Week and two upcoming books, The Overworked Person’s Guide to Better Nutrition and 21 Things You Need to Know about Diabetes and Your Heart. She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the American Association of Diabetes Educators and the American Diabetes Association. Follow Jill on Twitter @NutritionJill and find more at www.JillWeisenberger.com.

Better than Willpower

By: Jill Weisenberger, MS, RDN, CDE, FAND —

I am not a fan of willpower. It isn’t because I don’t have any. It’s because willpower is unreliable. It’s there during one chocolate craving, but gone the next. Willpower might keep you from digging into the chip bag several afternoons in a row, woo you into a false sense of confidence and eventually lead you astray. Better than willpower are strategies. Willpower may fade, but strategies and skills are yours forever.

I encourage my patients and clients to arrange their environments in ways that are most likely to lead to healthy eating and living success. Here are several strategies for your home environment.

Keep it out of sight.

I am a lover of all things dark chocolate. Instead of keeping chocolate chips and chocolate candy in my pantry where I would see them multiple times a day, I store them in that hard-to-reach cabinet above my refrigerator. The chocolate is out of sight and even out of reach, unless I pull up a chair. A few other strategies:

  • Store tempting foods in opaque containers
  • Keep your trigger foods out of the home. Enjoy them when you go out
  • Delegate the frosting of cakes or the cutting of brownies, if they bring out your demons
  • Keep healthful foods, like a bowl of fresh fruit, in sight and in reach.

Be portion savvy.

Even healthful foods in portions too large can pack on the pounds and jack up blood sugar

  • Pre-portion tempting foods. When you first open a box of cookies or bag of chips or put away freshly baked desserts, pack them in single servings. Put two cookies or a dozen chips into separate baggies. Store all of the baggies in the original package or a larger storage container.
  • Be selective with your dishes. Pick out a small bowl that’s just the right size for cereal and another for ice cream and so on. If you always eat these foods from the same dishes, you will always eat the same portion. Search online for portion control dishes. There are many designs that guide you to proper portions without looking like anything more than attractive dinnerware.
  • Pull out your measuring cups and spoons. If you don’t know how large your portion is, measure first, eat second.

Use clever exercise strategies too.

For optimal health, we need both regular, planned exercise and reduced sedentary time. Even if you jog for 30 minutes everyday, be sure to keep moving throughout your day. Keep hand weights and a yoga mat in your home office or near the TV remote control. Why not do squats or walk around the house while you wait for your coffee to brew? Give some thought to a few wasted minutes here and there and brainstorm ways to fill them with movement.

Give up the notion that you need more willpower. Instead of working harder, work smarter. Use some of these strategies to make the better choice, the easier choice.

Jill Weisenberger, MS, RDN, CDE, FAND has worked as both a nutrition counselor and a diabetes educator in the hospital and research settings, and now in private practice in Newport News, VA. Jill is the author of Diabetes Weight Loss – Week by Week and two upcoming books, The Overworked Person’s Guide to Better Nutrition and 21 Things You Need to Know about Diabetes and Your Heart. She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the American Association of Diabetes Educators and the American Diabetes Association. Follow Jill on Twitter @NutritionJill and find more at www.JillWeisenberger.com.

Top 5 Lifestyle Changes People are Making to Achieve Weight Loss

With obesity rates on the rise, more and more Americans are making efforts to manage their weight through lifestyle changes. The Harris Poll conducted an online consumer survey in November 2016 for the Calorie Control Council of over 2,000 U.S. adults ages 18 and older to learn what changes in lifestyle people have made to achieve their weight loss goals.  A variety of methods are being utilized by people attempting to manage their weight.

The most prevalent change that people have made is to consume more water.  Fifty-seven percent of Americans reported that they drink more water to help achieve weight management goals.  Drinking water can help manage weight for a few reasons.  Water itself can curb appetite by filling up your stomach.  Also, thirst is often mistaken for hunger, so drinking water may satiate what you perceived as hunger but was really thirst.  Lastly, when selecting what beverage to consume, water is often used to replace higher calorie drinks which will reduce overall calorie intake.

Fifty-five percent of Americans said that they exercise and are more active. To lose one pound, you need to burn 3,500 calories. Exercising in combination with calorie reduction is an extremely effective way to lose and manage your weight. When choosing what type of exercise to do, I favor combining cardio with weight-strengthening exercises to build muscle and endurance.  Building muscle can increase your metabolism, which makes it easier to lose weight and burn calories.

Forty-seven percent of Americans stated that they eat smaller portions to control their weight.  Portion size is often overestimated. A typical sized dinner plate is too large and will lead to taking portions that are too large.  To give you some examples, one serving of grains is half a cup of cooked brown rice or whole grain pasta. That is roughly the size of your clenched fist.  The typical serving size of a meat or fish is 3 ounces, which is the size of the palm of your hand or a deck of cards.

Just over one quarter of Americans (28%) said that they use reduced-sugar or sugar free products. Substituting sugar-sweetened drinks and regular sodas for low calorie sweetened beverages can really make an impact on total daily calorie consumption. Swapping out sugar-sweetened foods or snacks like sugary, flavored yogurt for low calorie sweetened foods will help you achieve your weight management goals.

Weighing yourself more frequently is a good measure to take to keep an eye on your overall weight trends. Twenty-seven percent of Americans reported that they weigh themselves more often to help them reach their weight management goals. Keeping an eye on your weight once a week is a way to mark your progress and keep any upward rises in weight in check.

Overall, this survey demonstrates that effective methods are being utilized to lose weight.

Survey Method
This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Calorie Control Council from November 16-18, 2016 among 2,074 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Stan Samples at the Calorie Control Council, ssamples@caloriecontrol.org.

Keri Peterson, MD is a medical contributor and columnist for Women’s Health and a frequent guest on NBC’s Today, ABC’s Good Morning America, Fox News and CNN. Based in New York City, Dr. Peterson has been in private practice since 1999 and holds appointments at Lenox Hill Hospital and Mount Sinai Medical Center. With a BA from Cornell University and a Medical Degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine, she completed post-graduate training in Internal Medicine at New York’s Mount Sinai Medical Center and is board certified in Internal Medicine. Dr. Peterson is a member of the American College of Physicians and the American Medical Association, and serves as a medical advisor for the Calorie Control Council.

Back to School Healthy Eating Tips for the Whole Family

By: Jessica Levinson, MS, RDN, CDN —The kids are back in school, after-school activities are in full swing, and before you know it the holiday season will be here. It’s not so easy to get a healthy meal on the table when there’s so much going on in the household, especially when you’re shuttling the kids around town.

Early mornings and late nights at soccer practice and dance class may lead your family to stop for take out more often than you’d like, which means your family is likely eating larger portion sizes and more calories, sodium, saturated fat, and sugar than they would be if eating home cooked meals. But that doesn’t have to be the case. With a little bit of planning, cooking at home can become a reality. If you spend some time over the weekend planning for the week ahead, it will be much easier to implement this change for the family.

For breakfast, stock the fridge with hard-boiled eggs and individual containers of low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese. Don’t be afraid of fruit-flavored yogurts that are made with sweeteners – the nutritional benefits of yogurt (i.e. calcium, vitamin D, protein) are worth a few extra calories and increased palatability, especially for kids. You can even prepare smoothies the night before and quickly re-blend in the morning.

Whole grain frozen waffles or pancakes spread with nut butter and topped with fresh fruit are another quick and easy breakfast the kids will love. You can also make a batch of egg muffins over the weekend, store them in the freezer, and defrost in the microwave in the morning.

If you’re packing lunch for the kids or yourself, keep it simple and balanced by filling bento-style lunchboxes with a protein, whole grain, vegetables, and fruit. Or put reheated leftover pasta dishes or hearty soups like lentil or chicken noodle in a thermos, which will keep it warm until lunchtime. Think outside the box when it comes to sandwiches – use romaine lettuce leaves as a sandwich wrap or use two cucumber rounds as the “bread” for mini sandwich bites. Fill them with tuna, chicken, or salmon salad. And don’t forget to pack a bottle of water to stay hydrated without the extra calories of soda or juice.

Eating dinner as a family is the biggest challenge of all for many families. To ease the burden, start with a small goal of cooking at home once or twice a week and work up to more as the schedule permits. Remember the MyPlate graphic when choosing what to make: lean protein, whole grains, vegetables, healthy fats, and a serving of dairy is all you need. Make big batches of soups and stews, which can be frozen and saved for a busy weeknight when you don’t have time to cook.

Get more recipes and tips in this guide to back to school meal planning.

Jessica Levinson, MS, RDN, CDN is a registered dietitian nutritionist and culinary nutrition expert. She has extensive experience as a recipe developer, writer, editor, and speaker. She is the co-author of We Can Cook: Introduce Your Child to the Joy of Cooking with 75 Simple Recipes and Activities (Barron’s, 2011), past columnist for the Culinary Corner column in Today’s Dietitian Magazine, and maintains a popular blog at JessicaLevinson.com. Jessica is an active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) and various Dietetic Practice Groups of the AND, including Nutrition Entrepreneurs, Food and Culinary Professionals, and Dietitians in Business and Communications. Follow her out on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Eat Together, Eat Better

By: Jill Weisenberger, MS, RDN, CDE, FAND —

Yes, it’s true! When families eat together, they eat better. Specifically, kids who eat with their families eat more fruits and vegetables. Plus, they’re more likely to be at a healthful weight and less likely to engage in disordered eating. But that’s not all. Meal time is an important time for the entire family to connect. Research tells us that when teens eat regularly with their families, the teens are at lower risk of using drugs, have better mental health and feel more connected at home. Kids tend to do better in school too!

As hard as it was to put a family dinner on the table most nights, I wouldn’t have traded this important time for anything. It brought my family closer together, and it helped shape my girls’ values. They also learned about good basic nutrition. Today they know that fruits and vegetables are part of a balanced meal, that they should eat only until they are no longer hungry, and that it’s fun to try new foods and recipes.

Have More Family Meals

  • Get everyone onboard. Talk to your family about the obstacles that get in the way of having more family meals. For some families, it’s as simple as clearing the kitchen table of papers and mail.
  • Be organized. Plan a meal and shop for groceries.
  • Make it fun. Keep the TV off. Have a theme night now and then. Try Taco Tuesday, or have an indoor picnic on the floor. Practice using chopsticks with Asian food, and light candles for a fancy meal.
  • Strike up a conversation. Once a week or so, ask everyone to be prepared to share the highlight of their day, or a worry, a wish they have for the future, or something funny that happened.
  • Get everyone involved. Plan the menu together, or let family members take turns picking recipes. Let older kids shop for groceries and younger ones set the table or count out the right number of forks, napkins or ingredients for a recipe.

Collect Recipes

You may already have favorite recipes passed down through the generations. If you do, keep adding to this collection. If not, start collecting right away.

Sharing a meal together is a sure way to bring your family closer together and to instill good eating habits. It’s worth the effort. I promise.

Jill Weisenberger, MS, RDN, CDE, FAND has worked as both a nutrition counselor and a diabetes educator in the hospital and research settings, and now in private practice in Newport News, VA. Jill is the author of Diabetes Weight Loss – Week by Week and two upcoming books, The Overworked Person’s Guide to Better Nutrition and 21 Things You Need to Know about Diabetes and Your Heart. She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the American Association of Diabetes Educators and the American Diabetes Association. Jill is a paid advisor for the Calorie Control Council. Follow Jill on Twitter @NutritionJill and find more at www.JillWeisenberger.com.

How This Dietitian Took Control Of Her Sweet Tooth

When you’re a dietitian, the assumption is that eating healthy comes effortlessly to you. Believe me, that is not necessarily the case.  As a kid (and like many adults to this day), I turned up my nose at vegetables, preferred pizza to a healthy, home-cooked dinner and ate sugar like it was nobody’s business. However, as a teenage girl, I became concerned with my weight. Unfortunately, like a lot of girls do, I experimented with all sorts of diets (None of which stuck, of course.).  By the time I got to college, I was frustrated when failing at yet another fad diet quick fix for weight loss. I decided I wanted to know the healthy way to treat my body, which is how I found my calling as a Registered Dietitian.

That was just the beginning though. My diet has evolved over years from learning to actually like vegetables, teaching myself to cook, and my biggest challenge – taking control of my love of sweets. I’ve come to the realization that I am never going be able to cut all sugar from my diet; it just wouldn’t be sustainable. So I had to use a little ingenuity to develop strategies that would work for me. Ultimately, I learned how to control my sweet tooth by coming up with strategies that would allow me to indulge it in moderation. Here are some other things I learned:

I Make Sure Good Food Comes First.

The purpose of eating is to provide your body the nutrients it needs to function. So I make it my priority to eat the healthy food I need before I dive into the treats.  Long story short – I have to eat my broccoli first if I am going to eat a cookie!

I Learned To Cook.

You do not have to be the next Top Chef, but learning to cook and bake opens so many doors when it comes to creating a menu that is both healthy and tasty. You have total control over what goes into your meal, and that can be very empowering. One tip I give my clients is that if you are really craving something you feel is unhealthy, find a healthy version recipe. Every time you eat is an opportunity for good nutrition.

I Prioritize Sleep.

Fatigue is the arch nemesis of a healthy and balanced diet. Not getting enough sleep wreaks havoc on the hormones that regulate your hunger. You may find yourself snacking all day to try to boost your energy, and unfortunately, it tends to be the sweet stuff we go after. While it’s tempting to stay up and watch the end of that movie or do one last load of laundry….just GO TO BED!

I Manage My Stress.

Stress is a common reason for indulging a sweet tooth. For many of us, our first inclination is to run to the kitchen when we feel those stress levels building. To take control of your stress is to take control of your sweet tooth. Try replacing stress eating with a healthier coping technique, like reading, mediation, yoga, exercise, crafting, or any activity you find relaxing.

I Am Open Minded When It Comes To Food.

I don’t discriminate when it comes to food. I love it all, the good, bad, and the ugly. This wasn’t always the case, but I found as I became more willing to try new foods, healthy eating started to feel less restrictive. The more healthy foods I discovered, the less I relied on sweets and junk food to get enjoyment from my meals. You don’t have to like everything, but you should be willing to try anything!

Carolyn Reynaud

Carolyn Reynaud, MS, RD, LD is a licensed registered dietitian and a paid contributor to SteviaBenefits.org. She received her BS in nutrition from Michigan State University and her Masters and Certificate in Public Health from Georgia State University. She has experience working in several avenues of health care including corporate wellness, clinical disease management, research, and health promotion. She has been working as a health coach specialist for close to 6 years, where she counsels patients on preventative healthcare and helps them meet their health goals. Follow her on Twitter @ReynaudCari.

Eat Together, Eat Better

By: Jill Weisenberger, MS, RDN, CDE, FAND —

Yes, it’s true! When families eat together, they eat better. Specifically, kids who eat with their families eat more fruits and vegetables. Plus, they’re more likely to be at a healthful weight and less likely to engage in disordered eating. But that’s not all. Meal time is an important time for the entire family to connect. Research tells us that when teens eat regularly with their families, the teens are at lower risk of using drugs, have better mental health and feel more connected at home. Kids tend to do better in school too!

As hard as it was to put a family dinner on the table most nights, I wouldn’t have traded this important time for anything. It brought my family closer together, and it helped shape my girls’ values. They also learned about good basic nutrition. Today they know that fruits and vegetables are part of a balanced meal, that they should eat only until they are no longer hungry, and that it’s fun to try new foods and recipes.

Have More Family Meals

  • Get everyone onboard. Talk to your family about the obstacles that get in the way of having more family meals. For some families, it’s as simple as clearing the kitchen table of papers and mail.
  • Be organized. Plan a meal and shop for groceries.
  • Make it fun. Keep the TV off. Have a theme night now and then. Try Taco Tuesday, or have an indoor picnic on the floor. Practice using chopsticks with Asian food, and light candles for a fancy meal.
  • Strike up a conversation. Once a week or so, ask everyone to be prepared to share the highlight of their day, or a worry, a wish they have for the future, or something funny that happened.
  • Get everyone involved. Plan the menu together, or let family members take turns picking recipes. Let older kids shop for groceries and younger ones set the table or count out the right number of forks, napkins or ingredients for a recipe.

Collect Recipes

You may already have favorite recipes passed down through the generations. If you do, keep adding to this collection. If not, start collecting right away.

Sharing a meal together is a sure way to bring your family closer together and to instill good eating habits. It’s worth the effort. I promise.

Jill Weisenberger, MS, RDN, CDE, FAND has worked as both a nutrition counselor and a diabetes educator in the hospital and research settings, and now in private practice in Newport News, VA. Jill is the author of Diabetes Weight Loss – Week by Week and two upcoming books, The Overworked Person’s Guide to Better Nutrition and 21 Things You Need to Know about Diabetes and Your Heart. She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the American Association of Diabetes Educators and the American Diabetes Association. Jill is a paid advisor for the Calorie Control Council. Follow Jill on Twitter @NutritionJill and find more at www.JillWeisenberger.com.

5 Ways To Stay Hydrated All Year Long

Hydration is something we think about often during the hot summer months when we’re noticeably thirsty and sweaty, but as the temperature starts to drop from fall into winter, we’re less likely to hydrate as much as we should.  Dehydration, which can lead to constipation, kidney stones, and mood changes, is a concern all year long but may be less on our minds during the cooler months.

The Institute of Medicine recommendation for daily total water intake, which includes beverages and food, is 2.7 liters (91 ounces) for women and 3.7 liters (125 ounces) for men.1 According to a 2013 study, U.S. adults drank an average of 39 ounces of water daily – 60 to 70 percent less than what is recommended.2

Clearly, we need to be doing a better job at hydrating ourselves, no matter what the season. Here are five ways to stay hydrated all year long.

Keep It Front And Center.

Whether you carry around a reusable water bottle or you keep your favorite cup on your desk, make sure it’s constantly filled and easy to drink from. Some people find they drink more from a straw than an open top or a sport cap bottle – find what works for you and stick with it.

All Beverages Count And So Does Food.

Many people think only plain water counts toward daily water intake, but that’s not the case. Juice, coffee or tea, beer or wine, or a diet soda all increase your water intake. Based on the current evidence, caffeinated and alcoholic beverage consumption contribute to fluid intake and do not increase appreciable fluid loss.

However, it’s important to consider the calories that beverages contribute to your dietary intake. Fluid intake can contribute a wide range of calories to your intake. For example, plain or carbonated water contribute zero calories while an 8 oz serving of a full calorie beverage can exceed 100 calories.

Food also adds to daily water intake, with water-rich fruits and vegetables contributing the most. Tomatoes, watermelon, cucumbers, strawberries, and broccoli are all at least 90 percent water by weight. Sounds like the makings of a hydrating salad! Soup is also a great way to boost your fluid intake and stay warm during colder months.

Make It Taste Good.

Plain water is the purest, most natural form of hydration, but it’s not so easy to drink nearly 100 ounces – about 12 cups – of water every single day. Luckily there are many delicious ways to boost the flavor of our drinks without adding calories and sugar. Try adding sliced cucumbers, limes, or the tops of strawberries to your glass of water. You can even get a water bottle with an infuser to take your “spa water” (as I like to call it) on the go. Or add a drop or two of a liquid water enhancer for a flavor boost. Look for ones made with low- and no-calorie sweeteners like stevia.

Keep It Room Temperature.

One of the reasons so many people reduce their water intake in the fall and winter is the cold temperatures. You’re not looking to quench your thirst as much when it’s snowing out and an ice cold drink is the last thing you want when you need to warm up. To help with this problem, keep your water bottle at room temperature and rely on warm beverages like coffee and tea to increase your fluid intake and stay warm. Just be mindful what you add to those hot beverages and stick with low-fat dairy and low- or no-calorie sweeteners to keep calories and added sugar in check.

Enjoy Your Favorite Beverages.

No matter what season it is, there’s no reason not to drink what you love. Even higher calorie beverages can be part of a healthy, balanced, and well-hydrated diet, as long as you take some measures to make them healthier. For example, start your morning with a protein-rich drink like this Blueberry Pomegranate Smoothie and this winter warm up with a cup of Cinnamon Hot Chocolate made with low-fat milk, unsweetened cocoa, and a stevia sweetener.

References

  1. Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride, and Sulfate. Institute of Medicine Panel on Dietary Reference Intakes for Electrolytes and Water, Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes Washington, D.C. National Academies Press 2005.
  2. Drewnowski A, Rehm CD, Constant F. Water and beverage consumption among adults in the United States: cross-sectional study using data from NHANES 2005–2010. BMC Public Health. 2013;13(1):1068.

Jessica Levinson, MS, RDN, CDN is a registered dietitian nutritionist and culinary nutrition expert. She has extensive experience as a recipe developer, writer, editor, and speaker. She is the co-author of We Can Cook: Introduce Your Child to the Joy of Cooking with 75 Simple Recipes and Activities (Barron’s, 2011), past columnist for the Culinary Corner column in Today’s Dietitian Magazine, and maintains a popular blog at JessicaLevinson.com. Jessica is an active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) and various Dietetic Practice Groups of the AND, including Nutrition Entrepreneurs, Food and Culinary Professionals, and Dietitians in Business and Communications. Follow her out on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Hidden Calories — Spotting Them So You Can Avoid Them

April 8, 2019 — After filling their dinner plates with too much food, people are often quick to confess that their eyes were bigger than their stomach.  However, problems lie not only in our perception of portion sizes, but also in what our eyes don’t always see – hidden calories in foods and beverages. These are seemingly negligible bites and sips consumed throughout the day that can add up to hundreds of excess calories. Over time, hidden calories can add up to several pounds and have a serious impact on health. Here are some of the most common sources of hidden calories, many of which can be avoided or replaced with lower-calorie alternatives.

  • Gourmet Coffee Drinks – While that daily caramel latte is slowly emptying your wallet, it may also be slowly adding on to your waistline. Unless you request otherwise, coffee shop beverages are typically made with whole milk. In addition, people often forget to take into consideration the addition of flavored syrups – just one pump of flavored syrup packs approximately 20 calories and five grams of sugar! If you can’t fathom facing your work day without your daily coffee indulgence, opt for a smaller serving size, low- or no-fat milk, and ask for sugar-free syrups. You might even consider taking sweetening into your own hands by grabbing some packets of low-calorie sweeteners as you run out the door!
  • Snacks to “Hold You Over” – It’s 4 o’clock. You had a salad for lunch and your stomach feels empty, yet you still need to power through several more hours of work. We’ve all been there. The problem is, while those snacks you reach for to “hold you over” until dinner seem harmless, they can pack in as many calories as a small meal. Many protein bars contain more than 250 calories, and 4 ounces (i.e., handful) of trail mix adds about 260 calories. Thankfully, there are many convenient snacks that pack in the protein and fiber necessary to keep you going until your next meal, but don’t contain too many calories. Look for low calorie sweeteners on the label, for the sweet taste without the calories that come with sugar.
  • Smoothies – While some smoothies contain mostly fruit and water or juice, most include additional syrups or sweeteners. If you’re out, consider whether the large amount of liquid calories will actually keep you full and opt for a sugar-free drink or water to control your calorie intake. Better yet, if it’s specifically a smoothie you’re craving, try making one at home. Many of us own blenders, and it’s easy to purchase calorie-free sweeteners and syrups online and in some stores.
  • Sauces – When counting calories, people usually look at the core components of what is on their plates. They don’t usually take into consideration the hefty squeeze from the ketchup bottle on the table, or the extra side of barbecue sauce that takes grilled meats from good to great. It’s important to realize that these condiments contribute calories as well. At the same time, recognize that the key to maintaining a balanced diet isn’t just about controlling calories, it’s also about enjoying the foods you eat and how they make you feel. If you want to lay on your favorite sauce, go for it. Just look for ways to save calories elsewhere, such as low- or no-calorie beverages, smaller portion sizes or skipping dessert.