By: Taren Vaughan
Keeping track of the amount of calories that you consume can be a very tiring process. Having to remember to write down what you eat and how many calories are in it can be a job in itself. Can’t there be an easier way to do this? Luckily, two masterminds got together to produce a book that will eliminate our calorie counting woes. “Eat This, Not That” was written with a collaborative effort from Men’s Health’s David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding. The book gives readers a descriptive comparison between multiple food items, noting which one is the better choice. They also go on to give the official caloric breakdown for each food item along with tips on how to avoid those not so healthy foods and beverages. Here’s a look at some foods and drinks we should pass on:
A Night Out With The Girls
A night out on the town with the girls often calls for a cosmo or two. Mixed drinks are a must when it comes to social gatherings or other fun-filled festivities. Unfortunately, even just a few of our favorite cocktails can result in a quick calorie overload.
Screwdriver (8 oz)
130 calories
13 g carbs
Say No To That:
Margarita (8 oz)
500 calories
32 g carbs
A screwdriver may not be as fabulous as your beloved margarita. But it won’t be sending you to the gym quite as fast.
Late Night Snacks
Even after having three full course meals, some of us are still left starving. A midnight snack will definitely hit the spot. Which one should we go for?
Try This:
140 calories
6 g fat
120 mg sodium
Say No To That:
Yes, popcorn can be a very light snack that is normally not too harmful. But when drenched in cheese and butter, it takes away from its healthy appeal.
Satisfying Your Sweet Tooth
I don’t know about you but I have to admit it. Sweets are my weakness. Especially during that time of the month, most of us stay craving something sugary to get us through the day. Before you dig into your favorite tub of ice cream, you may want to check the label first.
Try This:
Edy’s Slow Churned Rich & Creamy Black Cherry Vanilla Swirl Yogurt (1/2 cup)
100 calories
3 g fat
13 g sugar
Say No To That:
Haagen-Dazs Vanilla Fudge Ice Cream (1/2 cup)
290 calories
18 g fat
24 g sugar
Not only is Haagen-Dazs expensive as all get out, these flavorful treats are loaded with sugar and fat. I have personally tried Edy’s Slow Churned ice cream and yogurt. Don’t let the numbers fool you. It is just as good as the regular stuff.
Family gatherings, especially cookouts, are occasions where we have a tendency to go buck wild at the dinner table. So many choices lie before your eyes. You often have a hard time choosing what to eat. Before you jump head first into your aunt’s famous macaroni casserole, peep some of the items that you may not want to OD on:
Try This:
Filet mignon (6 oz)
260 calories
11g fat
200 mg sodium
Say No To That:
Cheeseburger (4 oz)
630 calories
41 g
735 sodium
Minus the cheese and its bready surroundings, a hamburger is not that bad. It’s what is added to it that makes the calories it contains go sky high. Stick to a nice, juicy tenderloin for those backyard barbeques.
The Quickies
Fast food meals are by far some of the most unhealthy food choices known to mankind. Sure they taste good and don’t require you to slave for hours in the kitchen over a hot stove. But after seeing how many calories some of these quick meals contain, you may be more inclined to fire up that oven of yours.
Try This:
6-inch Double Roast Beef Sub (Subway)
360 calories
7 g fat
1300 mg sodium
Say No To That:
6-inch Tuna Sub (Subway)
530 calories
31 g fat
1010 mg sodium
Despite what many of us may think, there is such thing as an unhealthy sub. The biggest difference between these two meals lies in the excessive amount of mayonnaise that one of them contains. Go easy on the mayo and you will have a pretty healthy quickie.
This article was inspired by the “Eat This, Not That” book collection. They are available in retail stores, bookstores and are available for online purchase. Ladies, these books are a must have as they give a quick yet through rundown of your favorite foods and what they contain.
