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Autumn-Inspired Foods: More or Less Than 200 Calories?

FitSugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:00:20 -0800

There are so many tasty treats to enjoy this time of year, from apple cider donuts to mulled wine. You don't want to go overboard with the calories though, because you'll end up gaining holiday weight even before Thanksgiving arrives. Take this quiz to see if you know which autumnal drinks and foods are more or less than 200 cals.

Source: Flickr User megan.chromik

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Do You Know Thanksgiving Calories?

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:00:39 -0800

Thanksgiving is a day devoted to getting together with friends and family, and of course, to eat an obscene amount of savory and decadent foods. Most people end up gaining some extra pounds this time of year, but you don't have to. Arm yourself with knowledge about calorie amounts in your favorite foods, and you'll be able to avoid the holiday expansion.

Take the quiz

Eat Less Calories: Care Less About Wasting Food

FitSugar — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 14:00:00 -0700

If you're anything like me, and if your parents were anything like mine, then you probably have a major fear of wasting food.

In theory, eating everything on your plate sounds like good economics but it's not good if you're calorie counting. The thing is, eating the last bites of your kid's chopped up hot dog is not doing anyone any favors, except maybe the person who collects dues at your gym. Consider this: 1/4 of a hot dog is 45 calories and 1/4 of an easy mac package is 57 calories, both of which you are just meaninglessly eating. So steer clear and if it's just too tempting, then give your kids less on their plate and when they ask, give them more.

If you are noticing that you yourself constantly have leftover food on your plate when eating out, then try ordering kids meals or bringing what you can't eat home for leftovers.

Also, if you buy something and don't like it, then don't eat it just because you feel like you should. Afraid of wasting? Start composting, it's a great way to throw out food without feeling terrible about it. Still worried about the kids starving in Africa? Then instead of stuffing your face on their behalf, donate money to charitable organizations like ONE, the campaign to make poverty history.

The Best Low (or No) Calorie Foods

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 14:30:00 -0800

Watching your calories can also mean watching yourself eat through your daily allowed amount rather quickly.

Luckily eDiets has created a short list of easy foods that are very low calorie or calorie free. What does this mean? Well it means that you should be able to eat (or drink) a lot of these foods and not have to worry about breaking out your calculator.

Hot tea with Splenda
Berries
Citrus Fruit
Sugar free Jell-O
Egg whites prepared with non stick spray
Crunchy Veggies
Water

To see the full list, check out eDiets.com.

The Top 20 Fast Food Items Highest In Calories

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 07:30:00 -0800

My friends over at ACalorieCounter.com went through the nutrition facts of every single item from the menus of 25 popular fast food restaurants to put together a list of 272 fast food items highest in calories.

Here are the top 20 highest calories items from the list:

White Castle Chocolate Shake - Large (Louisville region): 1680
Nathan's Fish N Chips: 1537
Carl's Jr. Double Six Dollar Burger: 1520
Hardee's Monster Thickburger: 1420
Dairy Queen Large Choc. Chip Cookie Dough Blizzard: 1320
Hardee's Double Bacon Cheese Thickburger: 1300
Dairy Queen Large Chocolate Malt: 1300
Nathan's Chicken Tender Platter: 1300
Jack In The Box OREO Cookie Ice Cream Shake (24oz): 1290
Dairy Queen Chicken Strip Basket (6 piece): 1270

To see the rest of the list read more

Hardee's Double Thickburger: 1250
Burger King Triple Whopper Sandwich With Cheese: 1230
Jack In The Box Chocolate Ice Cream Shake (24oz): 1230
White Castle Chocolate Shake - Large (New Jersey region): 1230
Hardee's Big Country Breakfast Platter - Breaded Pork Chop: 1220
Jack In The Box Strawberry Ice Cream Shake (24oz): 1220
Jack In The Box Egg Nog Shake (24oz): 1210
Nathan's French Fries (Super Size): 1188
White Castle Vanilla Shake - Large (New Jersey region): 1180
Del Taco Macho Beef Burrito: 1170

Source

How to Work Off Thanksgiving Calories

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:00:08 -0800

If you're worried about devouring a huge Thanksgiving meal and what that will mean to your waistline, have no fear. You can have your cake - I mean pie - and eat it too, you just have to get moving afterward. After the break, check out the calorie amounts for your favorite Thanksgiving foods and find out some ways you can work off those tasty calories.

To see the chart, read more.

Food	Amount of calories	Activity
6 oz. mulled wine	156	Swimming laps moderately for 20 minutes will burn 158 calories.
3.5 oz. white turkey meat	156	20 minutes of football burns 158 calories.
3.5 oz. dark turkey meat	186	Sneak away for a 20-minute jog and burn 197 calories.
1/2 cup mashed potatoes	150	Burn 158 calories by walking briskly for 40 minutes.
1/2 cup gravy	150	44 minutes of cleaning burns 152 calories.
1 small baked sweet potato	54	Stretching for 15 minutes burns 59 calories.
1/2 cup stuffing	180	A 23-minute bike ride at a moderate pace will burn 181 calories.
1 slice apple pie with 1/2 cup ice cream	555	Hiking for an hour and 35 minutes will burn off 561 dessert calories.
1 slice pumpkin pie	180	Take the family bowling for an hour and burn 180 calories.

Which Thanksgiving Food Is Worth the Calories?

FitSugar — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:30:08 -0800

Thanksgiving is almost here and you either have one of two attitudes - eat whatever you want because it's a holiday, or watch your calorie intake so you don't gain weight. If you don't want to cringe the next time you step on the scale, then you probably only want to splurge on the foods that are really worth it. So tell me . . .

Do You Count Calories?

FitSugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:00:55 -0700

While reading through the most recent issue of Women's Health, I was surprised to learn that Kristen Bell admitted she counts calories. She's says it's almost comforting and helps her stay conscious of what she's eating. If you're trying to lose weight or maintain your current figure, you've got to be aware of portion sizes, and for some, that means reading labels and monitoring their calorie intake. They may even keep track in a food journal. So tell me, do you count calories like Kristen Bell?

Coke Launches New 90-Calorie Mini Can

FitSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:00:35 -0700

Coca-Cola is giving consumers even more ways to manage their calories with the introduction of its new 7.5 oz. mini can. The 90-calorie can will be released in select East Coast cities this December, with a nationwide rollout set for 2010.

“As the world’s largest beverage company, we take seriously the need to help consumers balance calories consumed with calories expended,” said Sandy Douglas, president, Coca-Cola North America. “The Coca-Cola mini can innovation reinforces the Company’s support for healthy, active lifestyles.”

This announcement is coming on the heels of the company's move to put calorie information of the front of all its packaging. They've also partnered with Healthy Weight Commitment, a group of retailers and food manufacturers committed to reducing obesity in America.

By all accounts it sounds like the soda giant is becoming quite concerned over the nation's growing waistline and its contribution to it. But some argue the company is trying to skirt the impending soda tax. Don't be fooled by the small packaging, the recipe remains unchanged and is still filled with HFCS, but may be a good option for consumers who keep tabs on calories.

Coca-Cola will also be offering the mini cans in Sprite, Fanta Orange, Cherry Coca-Cola and Barq's Root Beer.

New For 2009: CalorieKing Pocket Guide

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 08:00:00 -0700

To celebrate National Nutrition Month, why not put a nutritionist in your pocket? Or at least the next best thing: the 2009 CalorieKing Calorie, Fat and Carbohydrate Counter ($9). This handy book, which fits perfectly into a purse, is like all of my food breakdowns times 10. So if you haven't scooped up a copy yet, now's your chance.

The truth is, we never really know what we're eating when we're eating out, and the CalorieKing guide helps solve that problem. It lists calorie, fat, and carb counts for all manner of supermarket foods, including specific brands and broad categories like fruits and meats. It also dishes on 200 restaurant chains, including fast-food joints, coffee shops, and sit-down dining establishments, both national and regional.

The thing I really like about it is that it also helps when ordering food from nonchain restaurants, like your local taqueria or the takeout Chinese spot down the street. The more than 14,000 food listings include estimated calories and fat for just about any meal you might encounter: BLT sandwiches, chicken tamales, red beans and rice, and matzo ball soup, to name only a few. Get your copy here, and if you get really addicted, you can get a mobile version too.