If you’re looking for ways to cut your fat intake, then congratulations for making a healthy lifestyle choice that will serve you well for years to come. Eating too much fat lends itself to a whole host of health problems, including heart disease and obesity. If that’s not a road you want to travel, then you’ve come to the right place. Check out these easy ways to cut your fat intake and you’ll be on the track to great health in no time.
Full fat dairy foods are chock full of saturated fat and calories, but one of the easiest ways to cut your fat intake is to switch to low-fat versions. You’ll cut the number of fat grams in your meals with no effort at all. And the great news is that low-fat dairy doesn’t taste all that much different from the traditional version. Look for low-fat cheese, yogurt, milk and sour cream and your overall fat intake will drop dramatically.
Much like dairy foods, many cuts of meat are high in fat. By putting them back in the meat case and reaching for leaner cuts, you can really cut down on the amount of fat in your diet. Sirloin steak, chicken breasts and fish are great choices that taste delicious, are easy to cook and won’t leave you feeling deprived.
OK, you don’t have to do this all the time, but a diet that relies heavily on fast food is one that’s usually loaded with fat grams. Go ahead and indulge once in awhile, but for the most part, stay away from fast food. Some of the meals you can order have more fat than you should eat in an entire day. Not only that, but fast food is seriously lacking in nutrients so you do your health a double whammy by making it a staple.
Most fruits and vegetables are fat-free, so increasing the amount you eat each day is a simple and natural way to cut fat grams. Fruits and vegetables are also full of fiber, which is filling, so you’ll be less likely to reach for fatty snacks when hunger strikes. Include at least one serving of fruits or vegetables at every meal and snack and it’ll be a snap to keep your fat intake under control.
Instead of frying your food in gallons of oil, try cooking spray instead. A spritz or two is plenty to cook eggs, sauté veggies or sear a steak and you’ll have a great tasting food that won’t be swimming in fatty oil when it’s ready to eat. Yes, cooking spray still has a few calories and some fat, but it’s nothing compared to a few tablespoons of cooking oil. And it’ll help preserve the natural deliciousness of the foods you’re cooking.
Many spreads are full of fat, butter and mayo to name a couple. Instead of slathering your toast or sandwiches with them, opt for lower fat alternatives. Try jam or apple butter on toast, waffles or pancakes. Spread mustard or hummus on your bread for a sandwich. Not only will you have delicious new meals, but you won’t have to work that hard to keep fat intake down.
It’s no secret that frying foods leaves them full of fat, and yes, full of flavor too. However, there are many ways to cook food that require little to no cooking fats, which means you can still enjoy super tasty meals without all the fat grams. Try poaching, grilling, sautéing, roasting or baking your food instead.
Do you eat too much fat? It can be hard not to with all the prepared foods and restaurant meals at our fingertips. Is there something you do to watch how much fat you take in? Please share!