5 Top Ways to Stay Skinny in the Season of Temptations

Posted Tue, Dec 11, 2007, 1:07 pm PST

Honestly, eggnog’s the least of it. In this busy tizzy of a season, it’s the grab-and-go foods you swore off only yesterday--the morning doughnut, the Whopper at the mall, the bag of chips that mysteriously fell into your grocery cart--that get to your hips.

Your choices: 1) Say what-the-hey, splurge, and pray. 2) Splurge and do an extra hour on the elliptical trainer (but who has time!). Or 3) find some wiggle room. We’d opt for number three every time, so here are our top 5 eat-and-run treats.

1. Munchy and crunchy: potato chips
This one’s a snap: Walk right past the Pringles and grab a bag of Baked Lay’s Original Chips. Not only are Baked Lay’s worth eating but lots of chips lovers actually like them better than the original (less grease, more crunch). The BBQ flavor gets singled out especially. And you’ll save 50 calories and almost 10 grams of fat per ounce!

2. Soft and sweet: a cream-filled, chocolate-frosted Krispy Kreme doughnut
When something inside of you has to have a) chocolate and b) a Krispy Kreme, order three of their Glazed Chocolate Cake doughnut holes instead. For a much smaller tab--160 calories instead of 350, and 8 grams of fat instead of 20--you can still get your fix!

3. Solid and Satisfying: Snickers
This may not sound like it will satisfy your candy-bar craving, but trust us. Instead of a 2-ounce Snickers bar--with its 280 calories and 14 grams of fat--rip into a Chocolate Chunk Quaker Chewy Low-Fat Granola Bar. The stunning difference: The granola bar packs 110 calories and a measly 2 grams of fat. Can you feel your waist shrinking already?

4. Thick and juicy: a quarter-pounder
You’re driving by a string of fast-food joints when a burger attack strikes. Choose Burger King and order a Whopper Jr. While the fat content of fast-food burgers is basically the same across the board--about 20 grams each--BK’s unofficial quarter-pounder beats the competition otherwise: 370 calories, versus 410 for a quarter-pounder at McDonald’s and 430 for one at Wendy’s (with no cheese). Hold the mayo on your BK burger to knock off almost another 100 calories.

5. Brunch-y and Beautiful: eggs Benedict
It’s weekend brunchtime and you’re itching to whip up your famous cardiac-arrest special--two eggs, English muffin, Canadian bacon, Hollandaise sauce, the whole delicious disaster. You don’t want to know. You do? Okay. A classic eggs Benedict recipe comes to 892 calories and 72 grams of fat. Just as satisfying but a lot less scary is this version from Easy Home Cooking magazine that's only 237 calories and 6 grams of fat. If you also make the English muffin whole wheat, you’re practically a model of virtue!

In this case virtue is not its own reward. Regularly sidestepping all those calories could have you buying smaller belts (or little black dresses) in no time. Plus, eating a low-fat diet--and eating healthful unsaturated fats when you do eat fat--can make your RealAge as much as 6 years younger.

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309 Comments

1. Posted by JoAnne F on Tue, Dec 11, 2007, 1:43 pm PST

The link for Eggs Benedict is not right....it shows one from All Recipes that is almost as bad in calories and does not even have good reviews.
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2. Posted by ehnotsomuch42 on Wed, Dec 12, 2007, 5:26 am PST

Cute article. I notice all the snacks are packaged foods. How do they measure up as far as high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated fats? I try to stay away from that junk as much as I can. Thanks!
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3. Posted by Dierdre B on Wed, Dec 12, 2007, 9:18 am PST

These are pretty common sense ideas. How about something that will really help. If you are going to post an article, give me some NEW ideas! Thanks.
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4. Posted by Eve on Thu, Dec 13, 2007, 1:45 pm PST

I agree with Dierdre B. None of these substitutions are healthy! Instead of chips or a doughnut, how about an apple or banana with peanut butter to satisfy the salty AND the sweet? Granola bars are filled with sugar, so try a south beach diet cereal bar instead--only 140 calories and packed with protein and fiber to fill you up. They come in chocolate and peanut butter. Luna bars are great, too. Cut out the fast food altogether because there is no nutritional value there, or if you MUST have something, try a grilled chicken sandwich on a wheat bun from chick fil-a.
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5. Posted by game03@verizon.net on Fri, Dec 14, 2007, 1:45 pm PST

o.k. there are thousands of teenage girls and boys out there struggling with anorexia and bulemia, enough of the diet articles!!!!!!!!
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6. Posted by michael.simard on Fri, Dec 14, 2007, 1:47 pm PST

I agree, Eve! A quarter-pounder? Doughnuts? Potato chips? Give me a break! These are the top 5 ways to stay skinny during the holiday season? Maybe if you already eat a dozen Krispy Kremes for breakfast and a slab of bacon slathered with a jar of mayo for lunch, these alternatives seem reasonable. For the rest of us, these suggestions are unhealthy.
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7. Posted by MsB on Fri, Dec 14, 2007, 1:49 pm PST

It's wonderful to have the kind of feed back that actually trumps the original suggestions. So much more healthy.
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8. Posted by Poopdawg on Fri, Dec 14, 2007, 1:51 pm PST

Try the Fiber One Chewy Bars. OK Protien, low fat, great for fiber @ about 150 cals. Pretty darn tasty too!
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9. Posted by mairez on Fri, Dec 14, 2007, 1:56 pm PST

I used my coffee break at work to climb stairs. I do as many laps as I can in 15 minutes or on my lunch break. I love watching all those muffin faced porkers heading outside with their lattes for their smoke break while virtuous old moi gets thinner and thinner. :))
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10. Posted by mary.gandy@att.net on Fri, Dec 14, 2007, 1:58 pm PST

there are even more teenage boys and girls suffering from obesity.
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11. Posted by mairez on Fri, Dec 14, 2007, 2:00 pm PST

I forgot to add that when you exercise, your blood suger level rises and you don't feel hungry. That mid-morning snack is mostly just a bad habit.
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12. Posted by angelwithana67 on Fri, Dec 14, 2007, 2:07 pm PST

I love all the comments about how lame the original article really is, but I do have to say, I have no will power of my own and honestly when I buy the luna bars or the protein alternatives I still overeat those as well.
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13. Posted by on Fri, Dec 14, 2007, 2:17 pm PST

How about we all try a little will power? I am trying to lose weight at the moment and keep a close watch on my calorie intake. I only allow myself to eat a certain amount of calories each day (a good way to figure out how many calories you need to cut to lose weight is to multiply your current weight by 12. That is the number of daily calories you need to sustain current weight. If you want to lose 1 pound a week, subtract 500 calories from that daily total. If you want to lose 2 pounds a week, subtract 1000 calories daily. However, do not eat less than 1200 calories a day as your body will rebel!). I try not to fill those calories with unhealthy crud. However, I am a dark chocolate fiend, so I allow, in my calorie allotment, for a very small piece of high-quality dark chocolate each day. And I savor it. As for all the holiday treats, just say no and pack a variety of fresh fruits, veggies and lowfat cheese in a cooled lunchbox in case you need to munch (but don't forget to count the calories). Your body will thank you.
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14. Posted by lauratambroise@sbcglobal.net on Fri, Dec 14, 2007, 2:38 pm PST

Calorie counting is very important and key to losing weight. To find out the amount of calories it really takes to sustain your weight to to www.mypyramid.gov -this is the food pyramid website and is full of helpful information (sorry "rr", but do not multiply your current weight by 12 to find how many calories are needed to sustain your weight - that is not accurate). You can also track your calorie intake there. I have been doing this for 3 months and have lost 15 pounds. Eat your veggies!
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15. Posted by pccfkc@swbell.net on Fri, Dec 14, 2007, 2:45 pm PST

Im HUNGRY!!!!
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16. Posted by Manichanh S on Fri, Dec 14, 2007, 2:45 pm PST

Are you kidding?
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17. Posted by kjsings4ya on Fri, Dec 14, 2007, 2:57 pm PST

These are some great ideas for those of us that like these types of foods. I don't eat fast food. I do have ateenage daughter who does watch her wiehgt. In a healthy way. Try them and see if it helps you. I am willing to.
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18. Posted by Lillian B on Fri, Dec 14, 2007, 3:11 pm PST

5 ways to stay skinny???? How about healthy, skinny is not healthy.
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19. Posted by ags8sf@sbcglobal.net on Fri, Dec 14, 2007, 3:22 pm PST

I agree with Eve! A bannana or an apple can go a long way. Not mention steamed veggies like carrots or broccoli, they taste great! I usually eat junk food on the weekends, but remember to counteract them with weight training (:
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20. Posted by stillme_1 on Fri, Dec 14, 2007, 3:36 pm PST

Leta22 - Great job on your healthy way to lose weight. I liked your suggestions, so I'm going to use the "mypyramid" site too. Thanks for the tips!
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21. Posted by Amy on Fri, Dec 14, 2007, 3:42 pm PST

I agree with Eve too -- this article is ridiculous. Real food please! People trying to lose weight should forget the idea of snacking anyway -- but if they do snack, real food only.
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22. Posted by dietliving.info on Fri, Dec 14, 2007, 4:26 pm PST

Someone had a few too many Holiday Cheers before writing this! There are many options available to achieving better health & losing weight, and Yes... YOU CAN DO IT!
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23. Posted by Seeking Peace on Fri, Dec 14, 2007, 4:28 pm PST

Thank you for the tips for those people who are trying to loose weight and have better eating habits. These suggestions will help alot of people. I do not understand why others are being so critical just for those of you who already make healthy eating decisions please keep in mind those who do not.
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24. Posted by MichelleB on Fri, Dec 14, 2007, 4:54 pm PST

Here's a few other tricks, more helpful than the article I hope. Prepack your own little snacks. Those 100 calorie packs are convenient but very expensive for what you get. A snack-size ziplock bag with 1/4 cup of trail mix (about 75 calories) or 25 chocolate chips (75 calories) or 1/4 cup raisins (100 calories) or pretzel sticks or... you get the idea. Having things pre-packed avoids the temptation to keep snacking. I also keep a jar of chunky peanut butter and a spoon in my desk at work. A tablespoon of peanut butter has 100 calories and lots of fill-you-up protein. If you like to take seconds at the party buffet table, just make sure you take LESS the first time. Then taking "seconds" is still "firsts"!
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25. Posted by T on Fri, Dec 14, 2007, 4:54 pm PST

I just can't ever seem to understand all the people that feel compelled to leave negative comments about how "stupid" an article is, or that it was a waste of time to read, etc. Nobody is holding a gun to your head forcing you to read it! I, personally, happen to enjoy reading the articles, and the GENUINE comments ON the article. Some people live that "rush rush" life and eat on the go a lot, especially this time of year. Others of us are home most of the day and have the extra time to be able to steam veggies or make a salad, etc. Don't knock the writers just because they wrote something you don't want to read...it's your own fault for reading it, and worse yet, for leaving comments that have nothing to do with the article anyway! Thanks for the tips, to both the author, and to those commentors who are also counting their calories. FYI, Special K makes protein bars that are only 90 calories, and IMO taste better than the usual "granola bars", and even my kids like them! =)
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26. Posted by DC on Fri, Dec 14, 2007, 5:17 pm PST

There is more than one food pyramid!! I don't think this one has calorie information, but it has everything else in spades! I really like http://www.med.umich.edu/umim/clinical/pyramid/index.htm. Those who have been health-aware for a while will appreciate the creation of the "Healing Foods Pyramid." Also, for water, check out www.trystructuredwater.com and www.vortexwatertech.com. There's a reason water is at the bottom of this pyramid.
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27. Posted by double-a on Fri, Dec 14, 2007, 5:36 pm PST

I think most aren't getting the point here. Of course these foods mentioned aren't healthy. The point of this articles is "IF" you are going to go for the naughty foods try smaller or healthier options. I crave these types of foods ALL THE TIME and find it's good advice for me to choose 3 small donut holes over one big bad donut when I'm in a hurry and have lost the willpower battle.
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28. Posted by luv2sing on Fri, Dec 14, 2007, 6:39 pm PST

ok so the eggs benedict calorie numbers don't add up,it's not 237per serving its 598 per serving according to recipe link. what's up with that? In my mind there ain't much calorie saving there...
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29. Posted by seetrish on Fri, Dec 14, 2007, 6:40 pm PST

food is essential to everyone the key is excercise thru excercise you can sculpt your body and become healthy again and watch the junk food and you will lose weight
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30. Posted by Getreal on Fri, Dec 14, 2007, 6:52 pm PST

Less sacry eggs benedict recipe?? YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!. I checked the calendar and it is not April Fools Day. 1 cup of butter divided into 4 servings!!???. This is crazy. The recipe also calls for 4 eggs and 4 english muffins. plus the 3 eggs used to make the sauce. Do the math here. for your serving,you will get 1 egg 1 slice of canadian bacon 2 muffin halves and 1/4 cup of BUTTER. Geez. dont waste the stomach space on this crap. Go make some oatmeal and eat some fruit. You will be more satisfied and you will like your self more.
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