When trying to lose weight, it is said that a combination of exercise and healthy diet is necessary to shed the kilos. But with hectic daily routines, limited time for grocery shopping and cooking, following a diet can get pretty difficult. Cutting calories out of the diet sure is a mean task. So here are some food substitutes you can try to swap with your regular eating habits to effortlessly cut back on the calories and show you a significant dip on the scale.

1. Filter Coffee

Most of us are big on our early morning energy juice. Drinking tea or coffee is an integral part of our daily routines and it can become difficult to function without it. But instead of swallowing large amounts of sugar laden tea or cream and milk heavy coffee, swap your early morning potion for a cup of unsweetened black filter coffee. Since it is a more concentrated form of caffeine, you can drink it in small quantities and still feel the same effects as a cupful of regular tea or coffee. The reduction in the sugar and milk consumption drastically helps to reduce the calorie intake and enrich you with antioxidants necessary for a high intensity workout. If unsweetened coffee is not your preference, add a dollop of honey, cinnamon or brown sugar to make it more suitable for your taste. To know more about organic filter coffee, click here.

2. Soup

Soup is an excellent substitute for a carb-heavy dinner or lunch meal. Broth based soups are packed with vegetables and legumes which are full of proteins. It fills you up without adding unnecessary calories either and the high protein content helps build a leaner body frame. Avoid soups which are creamy and thick as they contain more fatty substances. Flavoured broths are the ideal choice if you want to lose weight while still treating your taste buds to a little gourmet indulgence. You can get more information on vegetable soups here. 

3. Oatmeal

Even though breakfast is the most important meal of the day, filling yourself up on buttered toast and eggs sunny side up is not such a good idea if you want to see results on your weighing scale. Switch your regular breakfast dishes, or processed cereals with a bowlful of cooked oatmeal. Boil milk and add the raw oats when it is warmed up. Cook it for a few minutes until the mixture thickens and the oats are well done. To sweeten it, add a few drops of honey instead of sugar and you can even add slices of banana or other fruits such as berries and apples to enhance the taste. 

4. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

All oils are full of fats, but regular vegetable oils are packed with fats that can lead to bad cholesterol. Extra virgin olive oil, on the other hand, is rich in unsaturated fats and essential fatty acids which are good for the body. Olive oil also encourages the development of the hormone serotonin, which is responsible for a feeling of satiety and helps to prevent one from over eating. Consuming olive oil also reduces the pressure on the heart as it does not clog the arteries with fat deposition. However it is important to remember to consume it in appropriate quantities.

5. Dalia

Dalia is a popular and wholesome food made with a combination of different grains and seeds. It is high in fibre content and helps boost the digestive system of the body and improves the rate of metabolism. It also contains carbohydrates which pass through the stomach and get digested slowly which gives a feeling of fullness and helps to absorb and maintain the critical level of glucose in the blood stream. 

With the help of these foods, you can ensure great cardiovascular health and see to it that you don’t fall prey to the ills that can result from an extremely high calorie intake.