Low-calorie food swaps to help slim down without sacrificing taste

(Copyright 2012 Rohit Seth)

Staying healthy does not mean depriving yourself, and doing so will only set you up for metabolic problems and cravings as well as hormone imbalance later in life. When you make smart food choices, you can guarantee your body and taste buds will be satisfied. Whole foods like fruit, nuts, seeds, and spices are naturally delicious, low calorie, and high in nutrients like fiber, protein, unsaturated fats, and vitamins. Eating nutrient rich foods gives your body everything it needs and reduces cravings, which are a signal your body is missing something important. These healthy picks below are all gluten-free so they're a great way to give your taste buds a smile while you slip into your skinny jeans.

1. Earthbound Farm Smoothie Kickstarts-These resealable packages are filled with organic frozen veggies and fruits that you can toss right into your blender. They're so convenient and filled with everything from kale to blueberries and mangos to peaches, carrots and strawberries. All you need to do is put these frozen fruits and veggies into your blender with your favorite yogurt, juice or almond milk and you've got a perfect organic smoothie in less than 2 minutes. They're USDA organic and loaded with fiber, vitamins A and C and they're vegan and gluten-free. They come in two flavors: Kale Berry and Mango Peach Carrot; I've been using them weekly in the winter when I don't have fresh organic produce and in the summer to cool off from a hot day. You can keep them simple with just the frozen fruits and juice or add your favorite protein powder, nuts and seeds for a hearty smoothie anytime of the day.

2. Instead of trail mix with chocolate, which most people have trouble with sticking to one just handful of, grab a KIND Nuts & Spices Caramel Almond & Sea Salt bar instead. This is a great way to meet your craving for something sweet and salty, but in a single-serve package that you can’t overdo. I like to snack on these in between meals and for a dessert treat that's gluten-free and filled with protein.

3. Barlean's Chia Seeds-These tiny ancient Aztec superfood seeds are USDA organic, kosher, gluten free and vegan. They're a great source of Omega 3's and trace minerals as well as a super antioxidant. They're ideal for supporting healthy digestion by giving you 5 grams of fiber for each serving. Add chia seeds to your smoothies, salads, oatmeal or yogurt for an easy and healthy protein boost!