How Does Calorie Counting Help With Weight Control?

ByDavid Donahoo

When I asked in my clinic what a person is doing to control their weight they often tell me they are counting the calories. They know what is in everything they eat and drink. When they go shopping they look at the ingredients, then the calories, then the fat and sugar content. They feel unhappy as they see something they would like is too high in calories, so it must not be any good for them.

My next question is "Is it working for you long term?" Interestingly I do not get a Yes answer very often. So if it is not working what is the problem?

Did you know that your body is the only thing that can actually tell you what you need? Other people can suggest what to have and what not to have based on their own knowledge of their body or from research. But unless they test your body and know your current level of activity, metabolism, emotional state and mental state, then they cannot really know the amount of calories that you need to take daily. The number of calories that you require change each day.

As an option you can use the guidelines produced by different weight control organisation and they may be close to what you need. How will you know? One way is by your weight either stabilising if you have been putting on weight or by losing weight if you were stable.

However if you do not lose weight and have been stable it does not mean that the number of calories you are being restricted to is the problem, it could be a number of other factors.

I have found that two factors which are more importance than calories counting: how you feel; and eating only when you are hungry. The emotions you feeling when you try to do anything include calorie counting can impact your body's metabolism 9the way the body burns up what you eat). When you are happy and positive, your energy in your body will rise. When this happens, your body's ability to metabolise the food you eat will increase. You can also increase your metabolism through activity and exercise, assuming that you enjoy what you are doing.

The second point is that you eat only when hungry. If you do this and restrict the calories or portion size, then your body will burn up what you eat. If it needs to burn up more it can work on what is already stored in the body.

So calorie counting is really about:

1) Controlling how much you eat, i.e. eat when hungry and stop when full and only eat when hungry, and

2) Work with getting your metabolism working better and in a happier and more positive way.

Your aim of controlling you weight is to metabolise all that you eat. The things that can impact this are:

• Low energy or fatigue which can be from either negative feelings or negative thoughts

• Low activity so your body is not moving

• Not drinking enough water to keep your hydrated for the body to function correctly

• Eating when you are not hungry.

From now on, rather than being concerned with the number of calories you eat, how about focusing on getting your feelings more positive and only eating when you are hungry?

By the way, if you like what you have just read, you will most likely enjoy our free ebook "How to lose weight using the power of the mind", more hints and information emails to help you control your weight, by registering at: http://www.hypnoticgastricbanding.com.au.

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Email Address:SubscribeWeight Loss Article FeedFind More ArticlesSearchRecent ArticlesShould I Weigh Myself? Three Tips For SuccessHow To Lose Weight Fast - Why Should You Exercise Less But With More IntensityDon't Diet, Change Your LifestyleHow to Get Rid of Muffin Top FatThe GERD Diet: Food and LifestyleWhat If You Can't Lose Weight? Try The FollowingSimple Steps to Get Rid of Your Excessive-Weight ProblemsSimple Ways to Transform the Belly Bulge Into Fine AbsCost Of Vegan Diet - May Be Worth It No Matter What The CostWhy You Can't Lose Weight: Is It "A Perfect Storm" or "The Diet Matrix"?Submitted On January 25, 2012. Viewed 6 times. Word count: 556.

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Low Calorie Smoothies 101

ByLee J Scutchings

There isn't a lot that sounds better on a hot day than fresh, icy low calorie smoothies!

But trying to buy one at a restaurant or fast food place is a recipe for trouble. Smoothies made at fast food establishments tend to be ice cream based - yikes!

A recent survey decided that the worst drink in America was an ice cream milk shake from Cold Stone Creamery with 2000 calories, 130 grams of fat, 68 grams of saturated fat, and 153 grams of sugar.

The number two worst drink was a smoothie. This smoothie came in at more than 1400 calories with 44 grams of fat and 214 grams of sugar.

Unfortunately, this is not that unusual. Low calorie smoothies are rare, with most smoothies being sold today by big chains and small stores alike crammed full of sugar and cream in order to appeal to the masses.

Weight loss smoothies may be the foundation of detox diets out there, but they sure aren't made like these!

So how do you go about making a low calorie smoothie that could actually help you lose weight?

The base of a smoothie low in calories should be low-fat or non-fat yogurt. This will help give the low calorie smoothie a more consistent and smooth consistency like ice cream but without all of the fat and sugar. Add ice and sometimes skim milk to give the smoothie a more drinkable texture.

Juices can also be added instead of milk or yogurt, but it's recommended that you skip the pasteurized variety and stick to the freshly squeezed kind.

Investing in a juicer if you intend to make a lot of smoothies and diet drinks is not a bad idea.

Banana is a great fruit to put into low calorie smoothies to add even more creaminess and help minimize lumpiness or unpleasant texture. It's easy to throw in the wrong fruits and end up with a puree instead of something drinkable. Adding banana to the mix almost guarantees a smooth and creamy concoction.

There are thousands if not millions of interesting and delicious weight loss shake recipes out there. It's just a matter of selecting what you like best. Before long you'll probably find yourself experimenting and creating your own recipes. It's easy once you've decided on a "base" formula that you really like.

Low fat yogurt, ice, and banana is one example of a "base" recipe to which you can then add all kinds of fruits - or vegetables.

Making a vegetable low calorie smoothie is a twist on the popular healthy diet drink. "Carrots, tomatoes, and celery" is a common combination in vegetable smoothies. Extra ingredients vary depending on your taste and preferences.

You can add peppers and Tabasco sauce to the basic recipe for a spicy, salty treat.

Another idea is to add carrots to an otherwise sweet smoothie. Blueberry and other berry smoothies are great flavors to try this with.

Cold, smooth, and ever so yummy. Those are just three of the reasons that low calorie smoothies are a diet craze that is sure to never go away.

Invest in a juicer and a good blender and start experimenting! As long as the ingredients you're starting with are fresh and clean, you're bound to come up with something that's as healthy as it is delicious.

To find out more about low calorie smoothies and popular diet plans and for help with choosing the correct weight loss system for you, be sure to check out all the reviews at RealDietPlans.com

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Email Address:SubscribeWeight Loss Article FeedFind More ArticlesSearchSimilar ArticlesIf You Want to Lose Weight Then an Easy Way to Achieve This Is With Weight Loss SmoothiesLow Calorie Desserts - 4 Simple Ways to Create Desserts That Will Lighten Up Your Weight Loss DietMost Effective Weight Loss - Low Calorie Diet Vs Acai BerryLow Calorie Foods That Are High in NutritionBest Lean Protein Source - Low Calories, No Fat, Major ProteinWeight Loss Shake Recipes - 3 Deliciously Healthy SmoothiesWeight Loss Shake Recipes - Lose Weight Faster and Quicker With a Smoothie Or a Delicious ShakeSmoothies For Weight Loss DietsThe Best Weight Loss Plan Will Include SmoothiesHow to Lose Weight: The Natural and Healthy WayRecent ArticlesShould I Weigh Myself? Three Tips For SuccessHow To Lose Weight Fast - Why Should You Exercise Less But With More IntensityDon't Diet, Change Your LifestyleHow to Get Rid of Muffin Top FatThe GERD Diet: Food and LifestyleWhat If You Can't Lose Weight? Try The FollowingSimple Steps to Get Rid of Your Excessive-Weight ProblemsSimple Ways to Transform the Belly Bulge Into Fine AbsCost Of Vegan Diet - May Be Worth It No Matter What The CostWhy You Can't Lose Weight: Is It "A Perfect Storm" or "The Diet Matrix"?Submitted On January 31, 2012. Viewed 2 times. Word count: 555.

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How Many Calories In Vodka – Low Calorie Vodka Cocktails

By Rob Poulos...

When you’re looking for a way for cut down on the number of calories you consume through alcohol, the very first step is to know how many calories are in your favorite cocktail before you order.

For those of you who just can’t get enough vodka, it’s important to know how many calories are in vodka so you can account for them in your favorite vodka cocktails. Keep reading to find out how many calories in vodka and how you can create low calorie vodka cocktails and keep your weight loss in tact.

Calories In Vodka

Before you order that super-sized vodka & cranberry juice, make sure you know how many calories you’re starting with—that is how many calories in vodka—so you know how many calories you’re adding.

There are two common types of vodka that you can find in stores and at restaurants; 80-proof and 100-proof vodka. This just means that the vodka has 40% alcohol (80-proof) or 50% (100-proof) alcohol.

There are 73 calories in 80-proof vodka and 82 calories in 100-proof vodka. Keep these numbers in mind as you learn more about low calorie vodka cocktails.

Serving Size

The next thing you need to know about the calories in vodka, is the proper serving size. Most cocktails that have vodka contain about 1.4 fluid ounces of vodka, also a known as a jigger.

A jigger of 80-proof vodka has 103 calories, and this should be your starting point for creating low calorie vodka cocktails. A jigger of vodka is more than enough to give any drink a proper kick. And if you’re a drinking lightweight, there are ways that you can take full advantage of the minimal calories in vodka.

As for low calorie vodka cocktails, your best bet is to enjoy cocktails that come in an old-fashioned or cocktail glass. These glasses hold 6 and 4 fluid ounces, respectively, making sure you never drink a monster-size mega calorie cocktail.

Low Calorie Tips

Now that you know how many calories are in vodka, it’s time for a few helpful tips so you can create and order low calorie cocktails that won’t ruin your weight loss efforts. Keep these tips in mind as you concoct low calorie recipes at your next party or to give your bartender a few pointers.

Use diet soda instead of regular soda; diet soda is calorie-free.Use tonic water and a splash of lemon or lime for a delicious cocktail that’s not too overpowering.Replace tonic water with diet tonic water for 103-calorie vodka cocktail!Grab a whole orange, grapefruit or lemon and add it to a jigger of vodka for a hint of taste without a lot of calories.Limit the number of juices, syrups and liqueurs that go in your drink.Order a simple vodka ‘on the rocks’.

Low Calorie Vodka Cocktails

Making the most of the calories in vodka is simple because of its crisp clean flavor. Add a low calorie sweetening agent like citrus or honey, or go for a vodka straight-up to keep the calories low. If that doesn’t work; here are a few low calorie starter cocktails where vodka is the star!

Just be sure that when you make a drink that highlights the vodka, like vodka & tonic, that you use high end vodka for optimal flavor.

Vodka Martini

1.4 fl. oz. vodka

.75 oz. dry vermouth

2 martini olives

Ice

Directions: Combine vodka, vermouth and ice into a cocktail shaker. Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with martini olives.

Calories in vodka martini: 131

Vodka & Soda

1.4 fl. oz. vodka

6 oz. Diet Squirt

½ oz. light cranberry juice

Ice

Directions: Pour vodka and cranberry juice over ice, into a Collins glass. Fill glass with soda.

Calories in vodka & soda: 106

Vodka Orange Krush

1.4 fl. oz. orange infused vodka

6 fl. oz. diet orange soda

1 orange slice

3 ice cubes

Directions: Pour vodka over ice into a highball glass. Fill glass with orange soda and garnish with orange slice.

Calories in vodka orange krush: 103

Vodka Rickey

1.25 fl. oz. vodka

8 mint leaves

½ tbsp. sugar

1 lime wedge, juiced

2 oz. diet tonic

Crushed ice

Directions: Place mint leaves and sugar in bottom of highball glass and muddle to release oils. Add ice, vodka and lime juice and muddle a little more. Pour in tonic water.

Calories in vodka Rickey: 116

These are just a few of the low calorie vodka cocktails you can enjoy to keep the calories in vodka to a minimum.

If you’re looking for more ways to make the calories in vodka go farther, look at a few low calorie gin recipes like a gimlet or Gibson and trade out the gin for vodka.

A little creativity goes a long way in creating low calorie vodka cocktails that won’t impede your fat loss efforts.

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