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Weight Loss Blog

By Jennifer R. Scott, About.com Guide to Weight Loss since 2000

"I Tried It!": Breyers Fat-Free Double Churn Ice Cream

Saturday November 14, 2009
There is only one thing I like more than chocolate and that's ice cream. So, combine the two in a diet-friendly treat and I'm a happy girl.

I have been keeping Breyers Double Churn Light Ice Cream on-hand for years now. It contains 3.5 grams of fat, 100 calories, and a gram of fiber per serving. I had always avoided the fat-free version, up until now however, thanks to more than a few bad fat-free ice cream experiences in the 90's.

Well, fast forward to today and I am pleased to report that the fat-free version of this brand is quite different than those! It is creamy, flavorful and the texture is nice. (My friend April also taste-tested it with me and she said it seemed just a little "gummy" to her, but I did not notice this.)

Unlike regular ice cream, which provides 4.5 grams of saturated fat per serving, this type has no saturated fat. It also provides four grams of fiber, something regular ice cream doesn't contain. (Certain ingredients used to replace the fat add the fiber.) There are 90 calories per serving.

So, don't let the fat-free label fool you -- this stuff's perfect for a chocolate fix!

How do you get your ice cream cravings under control? Post your favorite varieties in the comments section!

Keep those Pounds at Bay!

Friday November 13, 2009
Keep the holidays from packing on the pounds with these 5 Ways to Prevent Holiday Weight Gain.

Keep it Positive

Thursday November 12, 2009
Looking to stay motivated? Try not to focus on the "shoulds" or "should nots" of losing weight, such as "I shouldn't eat this," or "I should have gotten a salad instead." and phrases like "I have to eat this because it's low calorie." and "I never eat...(fill in the blank)!".

Words like "avoid" or "off-limits" lead you to a sense of failure when you break the rules. And honestly, when we make those rules, we will eventually break them. That's part of what makes losing weight so tough, and you don't want to make it any harder than it is, right?

More: Banish All or Nothing Thinking

Sunday "Smart Swap!": Breakfast Bargain

Sunday November 8, 2009
Love bagels for breakfast? Consider making a simple switch to reduce some calories from your day's intake:

Swap a cinnamon raisin bagel for two mini cinnamon bagels to save 181 calories. (Not only does this swap cut calories, the increased volume of food will make you feel like you're actually eating more.)

More: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Smart Swaps

Veg Out!

Wednesday November 4, 2009

Looking for one more reason to add more veggies to your diet? People who consume a large amount of vegetables lose 25% more weight than people who simply cut fat from their daily diets, according to research.

Related Reading: Add Healthy Foods to Your Diet

Image: Clipart.com

"TV Dinners" Help Us Trim-Down

Tuesday November 3, 2009
A study found that women who regularly eat frozen meals lose 30 to 50% more weight than those who do not consume them. This is probably because the meals provide automatic portion control. To choose a smarter frozen meal, look for one with around 300 calories, provides somer fiber, and lower the sodium, the better.

Related Reading: Ways to Prevent Overeating

Happy Halloween!

Saturday October 31, 2009
Time to get those feet to the street -- not to get candy, but to burn away those candy calories that we've all treated ourselves to the last few days. Walking Guide Wendy will tell you how much you need to walk to burn off your favorite treat!

"Click This!": Laura's Halloween Candy Countdown

Friday October 30, 2009
Right about now, you're pulling out those jumbo-sized bags of candy you bought weeks ago, getting ready for the ghosts and goblins that will be ringing the bell in less than 24 hours.

Maybe you're also retrieving that special swimming pool-sized orange bowl you bought expressly for said candy.

And then, practicing so much self-control, you resist sampling as you tear open that first bag and start to pour... but oh, who could have anticipated how yummy that much chocoate smells... even when it's still in the wrapper.

Just a few pieces couldn't hurt, right?

In case you have any doubt about how quickly those "harmless" calories add up (Trust me, that's the scariest part of Halloween!), take look at the figures in black and white with this recent piece from low carb diets Guide, Laura:

Halloween "Smart Swaps!"

Wednesday October 28, 2009
Ah, the scary night has almost arrived. And I'm not talking ghosts and goblins. It's the night I'm left with way too much candy on-hand after having way too few trick-or-treaters.

In the meantime .. I've done a little math and figured out which treats will be the smartest swaps among my favorite fare so far:

If I grab two Tootsie Rolls Midgies from my friend's desk at work instead of that snack-size Hershey bar in my purse, I'll save myself 30 calories and still get that chocolate-y thrill.

I must have a chocolate/peanut butter fix. If I indulge in two peanut butter Kisses instead of a Fun Size Butterfinger, I'll save 36 calories.

If I nab two of my Mom's favorite, Rolos, from her trick-or-treat stash instead of my favorite Fun Size M&Ms, I'll save 45 calories.

What are your favorite "smart swaps" to save calories while enjoying Halloween candy? Share them in the comments section!

The Trick to Diet-Friendly Treats...

Sunday October 25, 2009
If you ask me, there is an upside to the ever-tempting Halloween season. All those cute little "fun" or "snack" size candy bars offer instant portion control. The trick is to stop at just one. In fact, the trick to all treats during weight loss is knowing when to say when.

Thanks to About.com's Calorie Count, I've identified a selection of sugar-fixes that add up to 100 calories or less. So, whether it's All Hallow's Eve or any old day, these twelve treats will give your sweet tooth a thrill while keeping your calorie count in check:

  1. Candy Corn, Brach's, 13 pieces
  2. Almond Joy, Snack Size
  3. Reese's Pieces, 10
  4. Jolly Rancher, 3 pieces
  5. Brach's Butterscotch Discs, 3
  6. Gummi Bears, 11
  7. Werther's Original, 3
  8. Milk Maid Caramels, 2
  9. Good & Plenty, 1/2 box
  10. Circus Peanuts, 3
  11. Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, 1
  12. Snickers, Fun Size

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