Many people associate losing weight with deprivation. The reality is -- you're on a diet; you're not dead. In other words, you can still enjoy modified versions of your favorite foods. You won't believe how much you can actually save in fat and calories while still satisfying your cravings. It's simply a matter of making mini changes. Got milk? A cup of the full fat kind will cost you 160 calories and 8 grams of fat, while the skim version has just 90 calories and 0 grams of fat. If you've got a serious soft spot for cheese, keep this in mind - one slice of the average American cheese has 100 calories and 8 grams of fat. However, a slice of low-fat cheese has 50 calories and 3 grams of fat per slice. Do you have an illicit love affair with mayo? Two tablespoons of this creamy dreamy condiment cost a whopping 110 calories and 11 grams of fat. But on the upside, light mayo is a much more affordable 35 calories and 2 grams of fat per tablespoon.
Are you full of bologna? An ounce of the lovable luncheon meat is 100 calories and 8 grams of fat, while an ounce of lean turkey is just 35 calories and 1 gram of fat. And that's just to name a few. Small swaps can yield big results. Here's some more food for thought. Have a weak spot for ice cream sundaes? Substitute low-fat frozen yogurt for full-fat ice cream with a spoonful of fresh fruit. Hungry for a loaded burger? Instead of ground beef, opt for low-fat turkey breast or lean ground beef on a whole wheat bun with lettuce and tomato. When a recipe calls for sour cream, substitute plain low-fat yogurt in its place. Skip bacon - and go for Canadian bacon and lean ham. Where there's a will, there's a way.