I’m sure most people find that they traditionally buy the same food and drinks every trip they make to the grocery store.  This can be a good thing but it can also be a very bad thing!  If your usual list consists of potato chips, margarine, baked goods, and frozen pizzas then you aren’t doing yourself any favors. 

So let’s replace those staples with healthy options but still tasty enough to satisfy. 

1.  Instead of chips, choose almonds

Natural almonds are best but roasted almonds are fine (and taste better).  While almonds wouldn’t be considered low calorie, they are extremely rich in Vitamin E and monounsaturated fats.  Monounsaturated fats are great for reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol. 

2.  Instead of regular bacon, choose turkey bacon

I refer to bacon as “meat candy”.  I absolutely love bacon.  However, there is a much healthier substitute out there…turkey bacon.  It has much less fat and calories (about 35 calories per slice).  It will probably take some time to get used to it but once you do, you’re set.  Give a try!

3.  Instead of soda, choose sparkling water

Ok, this one may be a bit of a replacement stretch.  I recently decided to give up diet sodas but my problem was that I wasn’t crazy about substituting it strictly with water.  Sparkling water seemed to be a natural choice.  I won’t lie…it took a LOT of getting used to but I finally rid myself of diet sodas.  For a little flavor with the sparkling water, try adding a slice of lime!

4.  Instead of margarine, choose real butter

Margarine is comes with trans fats.  Real butter doesn’t.  Margarine has been proven to decrease immune response and descrease insulin response as well.  Choose butter.  It is higher in saturated fats but actually is better for you overall.

5.  Instead of full fat ice cream, choose Carb Smart

This one is brand specific.  Ice cream use to be one of my absolute favorite foods.  I really had a hard time passing it up when it was available.  That’s when I found Breyer’s Carb Smart ice cream.  It only has 130 calories per half cup and 4 net carbs…and it tastes great!  You can see what other people say about it here.

6.  Instead of meal replacement/protein bars, choose to make your own

They do taste good, I admit, but there is a reason for that.  Most of them are full of sugar!  Just because it says “energy bar” or “protein bar” doesn’t mean it is low cal.  In fact, in some cases you’d be better off eating a regular candy bar.  The best alternative is to make your own.  There are TONS of great recipes out there for homemade protein bars.  That way you get to control the ingredients!

7.  Instead of creamy dressing, choose an olive oil based dressing

If you are looking for a healthy, low cal salad dressing, don’t look towards creamy dressing.  Look to olive oil based dressings.  Olive oil is a great source for monounsaturated fats which is “heart healthy”.  So not only are you cutting some calories but you’re also getting good fats!

8.  Instead of white rice, choose quinoa

Quinoa is actually pronounced KEEN-wah.  It is a complete source of protein as it contains a balanced set of amino acids.  Quinoa isn’t exactly a low calorie substitute but it is low on the glycemic index which means it will keep you fuller for longer and it is gluten free. 

9.  Instead of rib eye, choose sirloin

Most of us like a good steak cooked on the grill.  One of the things that makes steak so tasty is the fat but it also adds calories (remember, fat has 9 calories per gram).  To save a few calories, stay away from the “marble cut” steaks like rib eyes and go with a lean cut of sirloin. 

10.  Instead of your favorite micro-brew, choose a lite beer

I know, I know…some people just want budge on this one.  Did you know that Sam Adams has twice the calories and five times the carbs as Miller Lite or Michelob Ultra?  Here is a great web site so you can compare your favorite brew with some other alternatives.

Well there you have it.  Those are 10 easy replacements for your grocery list.  You won’t like some of the alternatives but, then again, I bet you don’t like having to lose weight, either.  I know I don’t!  Do you have any replacements to suggest?  Leave them in the comments below!