Tasty Food, Smaller Waist

Diet foods are notorious for being bland, tasteless, or (worse) taste awful. However, you don't have to eat specific foods to lose weight. You have to watch your calorie intake, so you just have to choose wisely to make sure you don't choose high calorie foods that leave you hungry once you've reached your limit.

I was extremely overweight after my second child was born, and desperate to find a way to lose weight. I tried supplements, fad diets and extreme measures to get rid of the weight, and yet I couldn't get it off and keep it there. It wasn't until I finally saw my doctor and begged for help that I got the most sound advice I've ever gotten: count your calories. He gave me a specific range to stay in (check what range you should stay in here) and I did, every day. I lost 75 pounds, all the old-fashioned way.

During the several months I was on my diet, I found out that being on a diet didn't mean that I would hate eating - in fact, I loved the food that I found just as much as the junk I ate before!

Here are a few of my favorite recipes and foods that I enjoy eating (still!). They are low-calorie, healthy (for the most part) and you can switch out condiments and additions as you want - those are just personal preferences.

Main Course

Chicken-Avocado-Ranch Wraps
Grilled chicken breast
1/3 avocado
2 tbsp Light Ranch dressing

1. Slice the chicken into strips.
2. Cut up the avocado.
3. Lay out the wrap.
4. Spread on the light ranch.
5. Add the avocado.
6. Put the chicken on top.
7. Wrap it up.

Baked Tilapia
Tilapia fillets
Lemon Juice
Margarine
Foil
Water

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Set out 1 square of foil (about 12" by 12") for each Tilapia fillet.
3. Add 1 tsp margarine to the center of the foil.
4. Put one drop of lemon juice on top of the butter.
5. Add 1 tbsp water.
6. Lay Tilapia flat on top.
7. Close foil tightly over top of Tilapia (you'll squish it together at the top). Make sure it's closed.
8. Cook at 400F for 30 minutes.

Pork Chops
Thin sliced pork chops
Breadcrumbs
Greek seasoning

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Spray baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
3. Fill bowl with 2 cups breadcrumbs and 1-2 tbsp Greek seasoning. Mix well.
4. Wet pork chops under running water.
5. Place the pork chops in the bowl, and flip it over until it's covered with the mixture.
6. Cook for approximately 1 hour.

Sides:

Asparagus, steamed with a small pat of margarine.
Broccoli with light Velveeta cheese melted over the top.
Small salad with light ranch dressing.

Healthy food choices such as lean meats, whole grains, low-fat dairy and fruits and vegetables (especially) are key. You can splurge on a treat if you get a craving - just eat a small amount, and don't do it every day. Add it into your calorie total and move on. Eat healthy most of the time, but remember it's not about making yourself miserable, it's about making healthy, reasonable choices.

In order to lose weight, you have to abide by the simple caloric rule: your calorie intake must be less than what you burn off. Healthy food or not, calories still add up. You can't lose weight if you are consuming more than you can burn off.