How to Keep Your Snacks and Meals Low in Fat
The weight loss journey is a tough one that is paved with disappointments, hours of work, sacrifice and temptations that will take you away from your path and lead you to failure. How to Keep Your Snacks and Meals Low in Fat. Most people who go on a low-fat diet do so in order to shed the excess kilos and reclaim their health.
The problem that arises with any diet is the resistance that it creates. It doesn’t matter what the diet is. You will inevitably be required to make changes and eat foods that you’re not used to and give up foods that you are used to. Change can be difficult to accept.
When you’re on a low-fat diet, you will only be able to consume 30 percent of your calories as fat. That means you will have to sacrifice many foods that are rich in fat or consume them minimally to meet the diet requirement.
The tips in this article will show you how to manage your cravings for snacks and tasty meals by making them low-fat and palatable at the same time.
Meats
You do not need to give up meat while on the low-fat diet. In fact, consuming lean meat is a crucial component to the low-fat diet. Despite you being on a low-fat diet, you body still requires sufficient proteins and carbs. So, you can still eat meat but focus on lean meats such as fish and poultry.
If you are consuming red meat, stick with the less fatty cuts. Do not consume processed meats such as sausages, burger patties, etc. You must know your portion sizes and roughly how many fat calories the different portions contain. This is the only way you can track how much fat you’re consuming.
Dairy
Latest studies have shown that milk and dairy are not beneficial for humans. However, since the jury is still out on this one, let’s focus on consuming foods which are low in dairy products.
Many people are unaware that dairy products contain saturated animal fats. They mistakenly assume that animal fats are only found in meats. So, fats from dairy creeps into their diet without them even realizing it.
You will want to avoid food products sold in stores that contain dairy. Ice-creams, cookies, milk shakes, etc. all have fat in them. When cooking at home, you should substitute dairy substitutes such as plain yogurt or fat-free evaporated milk to flavor your food. They are just as creamy and tasty without the high fat content.
Eggs also contain fat and while some people swear by eggs as the best form of protein, others frown upon consumption of eggs. If you wish to substitute eggs, you can always mix 3 tablespoons of water with one tablespoon of flax meal as an egg substitute. Since egg whites contain much less fat, you can use them in omelets and scrambles. Alternatively, you could use scrambled tofu as an egg replacement.
Oils
The two best oils to use are coconut oil and extra virgin olive oil. Avoid using hydrogenated food oils sold in supermarkets. They are extremely unhealthy and cause many health problems. The companies producing these oils market them as healthy vegetable oils. In reality, these hydrogenated food oils cause obesity, inflammation and a host of other health problems.
How to Keep Your Snacks and Meals Low in Fat.
Use olive oil in your salads and cold dishes and coconut oil for preparing dishes that require heat or frying.
As far as snacks go, when you’re on a low-fat diet, you should always avoid all snacks sold in stores. Stick to cold fruit. Slice some fruit and keep it in the fridge at all times. When the cravings hit or you feel like eating something sweet, the fruit will help reduce the cravings.
At the end of the day, you should do your best to make the substitutes where necessary to comply with the diet. However, sometimes despite your best efforts, you may feel dissatisfied with the meals you’re consuming. This is normal because old habits die hard. Give yourself some time to get used to the low-fat diet.
As the days pass, you will find it easier and when you see your weight dropping, you will be motivated to stick to the plan and keep going. Eat clean, exercise regularly and follow the diet strictly in order to see your weight loss goals reach fruition.
