Low Fat Foods that Can Help Your Diet

Yeah, yeah, yeah, we've heard it all before. It's not a diet, it's a "lifestyle change." Well, when you're like me and really hate vegetables and really love dairy and carbs, then that "lifestyle change" doesn't really even feel like anything resembling a life. It feels like hell.

As a southern belle who was raised on fried chicken, biscuits, and homemade ice cream, I never developed a taste for anything grilled, green, or good for you. As you can probably imagine, trying to eat healthier, which includes reducing my portions, is difficult considering how I grew up. Though I'm still trying to develop a taste for salads, baked fish, soy, and other "skinny girl" fare, I have come across some foods that help to silent my cravings for carbs, sweets, and dairy without totally ruining my diet...er, lifestyle change. I have even given you the exact brand names in some cases so you'll know exactly what you're looking for on your next trip to the grocery store.

Protein

While I enjoy meat, I could probably live the rest of my life on nothing but carbs and dairy. However, proteins help keep you full longer than carbs alone, so I try to incorporate a little bit of protein into most of my meals; even if it's just a couple thin slices of lean turkey. The carbs satisfy cravings and the meat keeps me full. Win-win situation!

Fiber

Fiber. It's not just for geriatrics anymore. In recent years I have learned more and more about the benefits of a fiber rich diet. Fiber not only helps your digestive system and helps make you feel full, but something many people do not know is that fiber also keeps some of the fat you ingest from being absorbed by your body. Now that doesn't mean you can go pig out on a double whopper, then have a bran muffin for dessert to cancel it out. It simply means that along with a sensible diet, fiber can support you along the way. When I shop, I always look for foods that have been enriched with fiber or that are naturally rich in fiber. It might not cancel out all the fat I eat, but it will help a little!

FYI: Not only does Starbucks have low fat milk and sugar free syrups to make your favorite coffee treat guilt free, but they can also add a scoop of protein/fiber powder to your drink. You can taste the fiber a little, but the trade off is a drink that helps you feel full,

Chicken Broth

Three cheers for chicken broth. It's a low cal source of protein that can be added to many foods to make them taste oh so delicious for practically no added calories. As I've said earlier, protein helps you feel full longer, so what I do many times is boil pasta in chicken broth or add broth to casseroles and other foods. To me, the broth gives the food and almost "buttery" taste and anything that makes my food taste like butter, but doesn't contain all the fat is definitely going to be a staple in my pantry.

Baked Potatoes

Oh, no! A carb! I know what you're thinking right now: Potatoes are bad; they've got too much starch in them. Well, just like EVERYTHING else, potatoes are OKAY to eat as long as you eat them in moderation and skip the fatty toppings like sour cream and butter. Besides, did you know that if you eat the entire potato, including the skin, that you're eating something that is a good source of....FIBER! Yes, people, potatoes have fiber in them and what have we learned about fiber? That's right...it makes you feel full and it absorbs fat. So don't feel guilty about having that baked potato with your salad. Just remember to eat the skin and opt for a lower fat topping like salsa or steamed broccoli.

Taco Seasoning

You read that right; taco seasoning helps me diet. That's because it's a low fat seasoning that has a strong taste. I can sprinkle it on bland foods like potatoes, rice, and grilled chicken to give it a little kick without wanting to kick myself in the butt.

2% Cheese Products

We all love dairy, but know that many dairy products have tons of fat in them. Some people solve this dilemma by eating fat free cheese products. However, fat free cheese tastes like the mold you scrape off of old bread. (Not that I actually know what that tastes like, but you get the idea.) Because of this, I meet in the middle and eat cheese products made out of 2% milk. (The one exception I make is milk. I always buy skim milk because there is a huge difference between 2% and skim.) You need to watch your portions when you do this, but I know I'd rather eat a little less cheese than eat a bunch of something that tastes horrible.

Ground Turkey

Though this food is not one of my beloved carbs, ground turkey is possibly my number one diet food simply because it is so versatile. I use ground turkey in anything I would normally use ground beef: Chili, spaghetti, lasagna, meat loaf, enchiladas, etc. In almost all dishes I can't tell a difference. While turkey has a milder taste, seasonings help mask that and cause the fat and calorie content of your meal to drop dramatically. Butterball Turkey makes not only ground turkey, but turkey sausage patties, turkey bacon, turkey meatballs, and turkey franks. Think about how much healthier your diet would be by switching to turkey? I can feel my arteries opening back up already!

Honey

Honey is a rather amazing food. It is rich in antioxidants, fat free, cholesterol free, combats infections, and is a natural energy enhancer. Another great thing about honey is that a little bit goes a long way. I love to drizzle a bit on things like wheat toast, English muffins, and multigrain waffles. Like I said, I only have to use a little and it makes a big difference.

Sugar Free Jell-O and Puddings

Yes, I realize Jell-O is basically just flavored water with a strange, yet pleasing consistency. However, it only has 10 calories per serving and gratifies two of my more dire dieting needs: my craving for something sweet and my hand to mouth gratification. Sugar free Jell - O pudding is also a great low cal dessert at 60 calories a serving and comes in a variety of satisfying flavors like banana cream and cheesecake. Also, check out the prepackaged pudding cups for flavors you can't get in the box.

Crystal Light

Most of us know what Crystal Light is and how many delicious flavors it comes in. I use Crystal Light to help me drink the recommended amount of water each day. Some doctors say its okay to drink all of your water in the form of Crystal Light while others say to only drink half your water as Crystal Light. I would probably have to side with the doctors that say only drink half your water as Crystal Light, because I've also heard that eating/drinking a lot of sweet things (even things that are sugar free) can cause you to crave more and more sweet things. However, if you absolutely hate water and using Crystal Light is the only way you can drink it, then I would say go for it.

Thomas' Bagel Thins

One common misconception that many new dieters are led to believe is that bagels are low fat so that makes them great to eat when watching your weight. This is a myth. Don't feel bad, I thought the same thing for a long time. In reality, bagels, even plain ones, can have more than three hundred calories a serving. Plus, if you add cream cheese, butter, or jelly to that "donut wannabe" then you're upping the fat and calories even more. Some people will counteract this by only eating half a bagel or switching to English muffins, but with Thomas' Bagel Thins, you can have you carbs and eat them too. These bagels are slightly wider than regular bagels, but as the name suggests, they are much thinner and only have 110 calories. I love using them to make a yummy breakfast sandwich with egg whites and 2% cheese.

Weight Watcher Foods

Weight Watcher Foods are awesome, even if you're not necessarily following the Weight Watcher Program. They are made to be low fat and most taste great. Another thing that is special about Weight Watcher Products is that they normally contain higher amounts of fiber than other comparable low fat items, which will help them feel more satisfying and block some of the fat.

Orville Redenbacher's PopSmart Popcorn

The main reason I have popcorn down as one of my favorite diet foods is because popcorn takes awhile to eat. It's not like a bowl of rice that can be eaten in a few bites. When I eat popcorn, it takes longer and I feel like I'm getting to eat more, which makes me feel less deprived. SmartPop Popcorn is my favorite because it has the best taste out of the low fat popcorns and has only 240 calories a bag.

Oscar Mayer Microwave Bacon

Being from the south, I grew up eating a lot of bacon and I absolutely love the flavor. I love it on sandwiches, in soup, with breakfast....whatever. However, bacon isn't exactly the most heart healthy, diet friendly food around. In fact, if bacon was a person, it would be that skinny friend of yours that acts as an enabler when you go out to eat, encouraging you to order that piece of cheesecake for dessert. The helpful hint I have for you is to use Oscar Mayer's Microwavable Bacon. Four of these thin slices give you only have about 70 calories. Combine that with a Bagel Thin or a Multigrain waffle and you have a delicious breakfast that satisfies your tastes and offers you a little filling protein.

Nature's Own White Wheat Bread

I love this bread. Many people consider wheat bread the bread of diets; this bread has some of the same benefits, but with the smoothness of white bread. While most bread has about 100 calories per slice, White Wheat only has 50 calories a slice. It's also a good source of fiber and contains no high fructose corn syrup.

Laughing Cow Light Swiss Cheese Wedges

You've probably seen the corny Laughing Cow commercials on t.v. by now, but just in case you haven't, you should consider this cheese. It comes in a small round container and has about 10 individually packaged wedges of spreadable swiss cheese. If you get the "light" laughing cow wedges, they're only 35 calories and add zip to crackers for an afternoon snack.

Quaker Oatmeal

We've all had oatmeal, but it's easy to overlook it as a great diet food. Oatmeal is a great source of fiber, so it fills you up and sticks with you throughout the morning. Another great thing about oatmeal is that instant oatmeal comes in a variety of sweet flavors including my favorite; cinnamon roll. These flavored oatmeals contain about the same amount of fat and calories as regular oatmeal so there's no added guilt!

I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spray

This stuff has saved me more than once in my quest for a smaller behind. This "spray butter" is less of a butter and more of just a flavoring. It makes something taste more like butter without the fat and calories. It's wonderful sprayed on toast, English muffins, rice, or anything else you would normally add butter to.

Ruffles Light Potato Chips

These "so good you'd swear you were eating the real thing" chips have been controversial in the past because they are fried in something called "Olean" which is basically Olestra. If any of you remember, Olestra has been linked to some nasty side effects, such as anal leakage, diarrhea, and gas. The reason I like these chips is partly because they've never given me any of the above side effects and because they are so stinkin' delish you'd swear they were not light. They even have less fat and calories than baked alternatives.

Fla Vor Ice Popsicles

Though these sweet, icy treats may not necessarily be the most filling snack, they will help curb your craving for something sweet. Did I mention they have hardly any calories at all, so eat two while you're at it!

Lean Cuisine/Healthy Choice/Smart Ones Frozen Dinners

Ever wonder why programs like Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem work so well for people? It's because most of the food is prepared with low fat ingredients and prepackaged into appropriate serving sizes so people are less likely to go overboard. Well, you can do close to the same thing by buying these frozen dinners at your local grocery store for a lot less money! Some of these brands have even come out with breakfasts, sandwiches, desserts, AND appetizers to help you stay on track no matter what the meal or occasion is!

NutraGrain Eggo Waffles

These waffles are SO delicious! (Especially with a drizzle of honey on them. *drool*) They also have added fiber, which means they are going to be more nutritious than regular waffles. Plus, any meal I can prepare with nothing but a toaster automatically makes my life easier.

There you have it. A list of foods I, myself, use to make my diet work. While there is no true substitute for eating healthy veggies, lean meats, and wholegrain, these foods may help make your transition from mindless eater to nutrition conscious and healthy, much smoother. I hope this list of foods will help you reach whatever weight goal you've set for yourself.