I started trying to loose my baby weight less than 2 months after my 3rd kid. I started with intermittent fasting. I would only eat between 10 am and 6 pm. This allowed me to eat lunch and dinner with my family. I lost 35 pounds by April but then my husband and I went on a trip and I gained 5 lbs back because I stopped intermittent fasting. After we got back I hit a plateau and it became much harder to loose the 5 pounds I had gained. I decided to change when I was intermittent fasting so I could have breakfast foods I was missing. So I ate between 9 am and 3 pm- cutting my eating time frame down a bit. In May I decided I wanted to start running again. I hadn’t run since I was in high school (other than after my kids) but I got my treadmill out and got to it! I was still struggling to loose the weight so I started counting my calories while intermittent fasting and running. I set my calories at 1600 but I actually didn’t always make it there. This got me down another 25 lbs in just a few months by eating these weight loss foods.
Related: Low Carb Snacks
Knowing I have a limit of calories has helped me to make better choices. I decide that some foods aren’t worth it while others are. Sometimes I take a bite of one food and decide I don’t want any more. And I let that be okay. I’ve been trying to balance my macros also, but I’m not there yet.
Healthier swaps:
Chips Or Salty Foods-
Chips or salty foods aren’t a huge craving for me, but when I want something to munch on I try to choose one of the following as a low carb alternative.
- Rice crisps (cheddar, Carmel, apple, ranch)
- Pickles
- Cucumbers
- Carrots
- Popcorn
- Nuts
- Cereal (fiber one honey clusters is my go to)
Sandwiches-
When I want carbs like bread, I have some, I eat Franz bread with lower calorie or healthier options on top.
- Peanut butter & banana
- Avocado toast
- Tuna sandwich
- Chicken sandwich
- Cucumber wrap (tortilla, cucumber, cream cheese & ranch seasoning)
- Big Mac bowl
Ice cream-
I LOVE ice cream, but it’s a lot of calories. I’ve discovered that I actually am picky on what ice cream is worth the calories for me. Here are some alternatives I have discovered that I love and are healthier options for me.
- Two good yogurt (or other light Greek yogurt) – tons of protein and tastes delicious! I like to add in peanut butter powder or berries
- Cool whip, sugar free jell-o, pumpkin pie spice, & pumpkin puree
- Cool whip & berries
- Cottage cheese & berries
- Nice cream – frozen bananas blended up with optional add ins such as cocoa powder, berries, or pbfit
- Some ice cream is just worth the calories
Worth the calories:
Some things are just worth the calories to me. I won’t use alternatives in this case, instead I just enjoy the item in moderation.
- Peanut butter 1 tbsp 95 calories
- Cookies (for homemade cookies 1 tbsp serving size is usually between 100-120 calories)
- Mayonnaise- I don’t like mustard and avocado is just as many calories. Sour cream sometimes works
Related: Butternut Squash Curry
Other foods I enjoyed:
Chicken, rice, veggies
Roasted carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini
Canned beets
Baked beans
Fiber one brownies
Rice Krispie treats
