How to Reduce Fat Calories

Fat calories come fast and easy. Each gram of fat has 9 calories, which adds up very quickly in a cheese burger with mayo and fries. Even relatively healthy options can have hidden fat calories. Paying close attention to what you eat will help you reduce your overall intake of fat calories.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Read labels and be aware of portions. For example, cream cheese may advertise that it has half the calories of butter, but how often do you spread cream cheese as thinly as you would butter?
2. Use milk instead of cream in your coffee. If you already do, consider dropping down a percentage or two. Switching from 2 percent to 1 percent cuts the fat calories in your coffee in half. If you drink 3 or 4 cups of coffee a day, this can add up.
3. Remove fat from poultry and meat. Take the skin off the chicken and trim your pork chops. If you love this part of the food, take baby steps and only cut off half the skin or fat. Every bit counts.
4. Avoid the killer condiments such as mayonnaise and sour cream. There are low fat and no fat alternatives, but be prepared for a taste difference.
5. Use spices and seasonings to replace the flavor that you find missing. You might find it was just the salt from the butter that made your potato or corn on the cob taste just right.
6. Bake, grill, broil, steam and microwave instead of frying, sautéing, battering or deep frying.

Tips & Warnings

• Give yourself time to adjust to lower fat choices and don't dwell on them. You will get used to it. One day homogenized milk will taste like cream to you. Really.