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8 easy cooking hacks for weight loss

Lose weight (without sacrificing flavor) with these simple food swaps.

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Surprise: it is possible to lose weight and still enjoy what you’re eating—you just have to get creative and utilize the right ingredients. Not sure where to begin? Start with small changes. “Making dietary changes is about making lifestyle changes that become consistent,” says bariatric surgeon, Neil McDevitt, MD of Summerville Medical Center in Summerville, SouthShow More

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Ditch The Mayo

Just one tablespoon of mayonnaise adds about 90 calories to your daily intake. Save calories and fat by swapping mayo for non-fat, plain Greek yogurt. An entire cup of non-fat, plain Greek yogurt contains only about 130 calories, zero fat and 24 grams of protein. You can also use plain Greek yogurtShow More

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Lighten Up Your Baking

Don’t sacrifice your waistline to satisfy your sweet tooth. Lighten up your baking by swapping vegetable oil for pumpkin puree. “A cup of pumpkin is about 83 calories and has about 7 grams of fiber; a cup of oil is around 1900 calories,” says registered dietician, Lauri Watson, RD of SummervilleShow More

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Carbohydrate Substitutes

Eating too many carbs can derail your diet. Enjoy your favorite pasta and rice dishes with tasty, fiber-filled veggie substitutes. Spaghetti squash contains vitamins C and A, and makes a great base for your favorite pasta sauce. “Microwave it or bake it, and then shred it with a fork. You can useShow More

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Frozen Fruits

Make your own “ice cream” or popsicles with your favorite frozen fruits, Greek yogurt and cocoa powder. Simply blend peeled frozen bananas in your food processer to make one-ingredient ice cream for 100 calories or less. Create guilt-free popsicles by freezing Greek yogurt mixed with your favoriteShow More

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Eat Lean, Not Dry

Swapping ground beef for leaner ground turkey can save calories and fat, but unfortunately, leaner cuts of meat often dry out during preparation. Prevent dryness by adding applesauce to your ground meat; one or two tablespoons will keep turkey burgers extra juicy. Opt for 99% lean ground turkeyShow More

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Wrap Away

They make an easy lunch, but wraps and sandwiches aren’t great your waistline. Replace your 10 inch sandwich wrap with crisp lettuce leaves like romaine, Bibb or iceberg to save more than 180 calories, 39 grams of carbs and excess sodium. Even an 8 inch whole wheat wrap contains about 120Show More

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Swap The Snacks

Mindless munching can quickly sabotage your healthy eating efforts, especially if you’re snacking on junk food. Stock your pantry with healthy snacks, like kale chips and roasted chickpeas, for guilt-free snack options. You can bake kale chips at home, in just 10 minutes at 350 degrees, using aShow More

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Guilt-Free Pudding

Utilize overripe bananas by blending them with Greek yogurt to create protein-packed, guilt-free pudding. Add dark cocoa powder for an extra dose of sweetness and heart-healthy flavanols. Combine one mashed banana with five ounces of non-fat plain Greek yogurt for a dessert with 185 calories andShow More

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