A food’s texture, more than its taste, could cause you to snack mindlessly. Make these easy swaps to win out on temptation. When a certain texture calls your name more than your waistband would like, use these swaps to help you stop food cravings without adding inches.
When you crave: Crunchy (chips, caramel popcorn, biscotti) Chew this: Baby carrots, fruit slices, or rice cakes. Almonds can also work, but be careful: Half a cup has over 400 calories.
When you crave: Creamy (peanut butter, risotto, mac ‘n’ cheese) Chew this: Sugar-free Jell-O, hummus, or for dinner, a bowl of velvety soup
When you crave: Greasy (fries, pizza, burgers) Chew this: Baked sweet-potato fries or thin-crust pizza with veggies. Choose 90% or higher lean beef–your mouth won’t know the difference.
When you crave: Fluid (juice, soda, slushies) Sip this: Flavored sparkling water or lightly sweetened iced tea. (Studies suggest that limiting caloric beverages leads to weight loss.) Or try a smoothie. Research shows that the thicker and more whipped the drink, the more satisfying it will be, saving you calories at your next meal. To achieve maximum thickness, toss in a frozen banana and blend. ( By Barbara Miller from www.womenshealthmag.com )