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The Easy Diet Plan
Including Free Menus, Recipes

Written by Sky Taylor, Diet Bites

Ready to lose weight but not quite ready to give up all your favorite foods?

Not a problem with Diet Bites' Easy Diet Plan. And we're not talking about kissing-up to bland foods that look like your favorite foods in disguise.

Our Easy Diet Plan involves 'the real deal' - those familiar favorite foods in your daily diet that you just can't let go of while trying to lose weight. Yes, our is intended for those individuals who can't turn loose of their favorite foods, yet who want to drop the unwanted weight.

To totally clarify, the Plan contains those familiar foods found at your favorite market. Corn chips, potato chips, peanut butter, pizza - everything goes, most importantly those unwanted pounds!

How can one lose weight enjoying their favorite, familiar foods?

Calories. Yes, we can talk all we want to about carbs, fat grams - saturated, unsaturated, polly wants a cracker and so forth fats, but when everything is said and done, what an individual weighs is not based on how many carbs they eat, or how much fat they consume, or certain unique diets - such as one food diet plans, fruity-tooty diets or any other Diet Plan circling the Diet Village.

When everything is said and done, weight is governed by calories(energy).

What equals energy?

Food calories equals energy. Activity that burns calories equals energy. Combine a daily diet containing an individual's recommended calorie-intake with a healthy dose of exercise and WOW-POW-NOW we have a recipe for Ideal Body Weight.

Does this mean that we can forget about nutrition facts? Forget about fat intake and go a-i-p with butter, whipping cream and fried foods?

Common sense and current health data begs to differ - and most certainly, a body that is filled with foods of the highest nutritional values will thrive and experience greater health benefits than those filled with creamy goodness. Sad, isn't it?

So take note that even thin people may not be the healthiest individuals on the planet.

Even so, individuals who remain at their recommended weight who enjoy cookies, ice cream, cheese and all that jazz are apt to be healthier than overweight individuals who embrace a healthy diet.

Conclusion:Weight impacts overall health, regardless. Here are just a few reasons why.

Excess Weight on Body Skeleton Frame Equals Pain, Aches, Breakdown>

Carrying more weight than is intended for one's body frame plays havoc on the bones, creates excess work for the heart and other vital organs, overworks the intestinal track, as well as applies unwarranted pressure on joints.

With all this aside, here is the GOOD DIET NEWS. An individual can indeed enjoy and incorporate food favorites in their daily diet and achieve a healthy weight, as well as a healthier body. Because of the Calorie Needs of an individual's body, it would be difficult to consume an overage of fatty foods without exceeding the body's Calorie Needs.

About those 'thin unhealthy people' referenced above.... Some love the unhealthier foods like donuts, cupcakes, cookies and pies, yet they desire to be thin. In turn, that means in order for them to retain a state of thinness or recommended weight, they must remain within their recommended Daily Calorie Requirement.

Let's say that Jenny requires 1,600 per day in order to retain her current weight. She must also walk one mile every day in order to maintain her current weight, and if not she must decrease her calorie intake for the day in order to avoid a Calorie Overage.

Jenny is a daily dieter that is at her recommended weight, who loves desserts. In fact, she loves desserts more than the official food groups.

She loves desserts so much that instead of following the healthy recommendations of the food pyramid, she instead opts to enjoy 1,200 calories worth of sweets each day which generally consist of 2 cupcakes containing 200 calories each, a hazelnut biscotti dipped in chocolate which goes wonderfully well with her morning cup of java - which contains 125 calories, a glazed donut (275 calories) and a very large cinnamon roll (400 calories).

She also enjoys one frozen dinner containing 400 calories - just to keep things in 'balance', but she is certainly not keeping her nutritional needs in balance, is she? On days where she experiences a Calorie Overload, she steps-up her activity level to avoid weight gain.

Is Jenny an example of a healthy thin person? Unless she has Super Genes, probably not. So let's take a look at Jody who also enjoys desserts.

Jody has the same Calorie Requirements and Activity Requirements as Jenny in regards to maintaining her current weight.

Jody chooses her daily diet from the official food pyramid, ensuring that she enjoys vegetables, fruits, proteins, dairy and healthy grains. She also enjoys the foods that she likes - pizza, spaghetti, ice cream and cookies.

When eating pizza, she opts for thin whole grain crust, mozzarella cheese, and lots of veggies. When enjoying spaghetti, she opts for the 50 calorie per serving sauce over the 200 calorie per serving sauce, and when the spaghetti contains meat sauce, she chooses the meat lowest in fat content as her recipe base.

When she enjoys ice cream, she enjoys her favorite brand and measures out her serving size. When enjoying cookies, she checks the label for the calorie content before eating.

Is Jody an example of a healthy thin person? It's highly likely, but her overall health is still greatly dependent upon her gene pool.

Using the above examples, we hope that we clearly illustrated how our favorite foods can be incorporated into our daily diet, allowing us to both lose weight, as well as maintain our healthy recommended weight.

Back to The Easy Diet Plan which contains our favorite foods. Keep in mind that healthier, less fatty choices tend to contain fewer calories and offer more nutritional values.

The Easy Diet Plan Details

*Most* of the following is not set in Diet Stone. Did you notice the keyword is 'most'?

It doesn't take a Diet Genius to know that when calories are not kept in check, or when calories are not reduced to achieve weight loss, the risk of weight gain enters into the picture - and we sure do not want that.

The rest of the list can be totally personalized to suit your personal needs and desires. For example, you may not like reduced calorie, low fat versions of dairy products. So enjoy your favorite dairy products, instead - taking care to account for the extra calories.

Okay, now for the Skinny Details of our free Easy Diet Weight Loss Plan:

- The Easy Diet Plan contains about 1,500 calories per day.

- Aim to lose 2-3 pounds per week, which is a safe rate of weight loss.

- Purchase a small notebook, or simply use a sheet of paper to write down notes that may be of help amid your weight loss journey. Keep in mind the food selections which stayed with you for longer periods of time.

Which selections were smartest? Which allowed you to eat more for less calories? If you modify a personal recipe, jot that down too. I've lost literally hundreds of recipes because I didn't take time to jot them down after I made them, or after I thought of them.

Example: A few years ago I made a low calorie squash casserole that was absolutely delicious, but failed to write down my ingredients, much less the amounts that I used. Tom has requested that dish for years, but I just can't duplicate the past.

Dieting Tips, Sensible & They Work

- When choosing foods at the local market, opt for foods lower in sodium (heart healthy), as well as lean cuts of protein.

- Opting for low fat dairy products can also trim fat, calories and pounds.

- Another great option is whipped foods - from margarine to peanut butter to cream cheese. Whipped foods are lower in calories, but go a long way in regards to taste.

- If you're a Soda Slurper, try to limit yourself to one per day as a treat.

- If you're a tea or coffee drinker, opt for Splenda or another sugar substitute over sugar until those unwanted pounds have been dealt with effectively.

- If you own a sweet tooth that demands to be filled each and every day, by all means enjoy a sweet treat. Just be certain to account for the calories. Keep in mind that you can enjoy 1 small cupcake or 2 large bags of frozen veggies. And yes, there are times when only a cupcake will do.

Energy Needs vs Calorie Intake for Weight Loss

Overage of Calories Equals Weight Gain

Unless one has been living in a Diet Hole, it's a well-known fact that weight loss is the result of energy needs surpassing calorie intake. There are a couple of ways to accomplish weight loss.

Lose Stored Fat by Balancing Energy Values

1. Eat less calories than the body requires to maintain current weight.

2. Expending energy - physical energy vs food energy. When the body uses more energy than it takes in (form of food),  weight loss ensues.

3. Great news! Significant weight loss results can be achieved quicker by eating less calories in the daily diet and combining exercise and activity.

At Times, Hidden Health Issues Such as Thyroid Imbalance Cause Weight Gain

4. Always get your doctor's permission before beginning any weight loss plan. Why so? Many times a hidden condition such as a thyroid imbalance or diabetes may be the culprit where weight gain is concerned. Also, females should rule out pregnancy before beginning any weight loss plan, as well as lactating moms.

Learn About Serving Sizes, Measuring Foods for Best Success at Beginning of Diet Plan

5. Measuring food (energy) in the daily diet is a sure-fire method of defeating weight gain and achieving permanent weight loss. Ah - so that's the trade off! We can enjoy the foods that we love, but we must do so in moderation.

Hum, this sounds so familiar, doesn't it? Something we've had hammered into our little Diet Brains since the beginning of commercialized foods. With this said, if you aren't a fan of measuring, The Easy Diet Plan may not be your Diet Bag.

On the other hand, if you're willing to measure your food, weight loss is yours for the Diet Taking!

Diets Where Food is Delivered to Door Generally Do Not Last or Give Permanent Weight Loss Results

In fact, you know all those over-priced boxed foods that you can order and have delivered right to your door?

You know why they work? It's not because they contain a magic potion; it's because the number of calories is pre-calculated for the dieter. Trouble is, those type diets don't last long. Why so?

Appetite Requires Interest, Not Same Foods Day After Day

The human body is an interesting piece of work, equipped with a vast appetite. The same foods day in and day out become boring. We easily grow tired of the same tastes and our taste buds desire exploration of the universe of foods surrounding us.

We enjoy picking out our own foods, not having it done for us. It's like going to a party. Who wants anyone else to pick out the dress or suit that we'll be wearing?

We can assimilate our own menu with a bit of savvy planning. And if fat is a concern, there are light selections at the local market that are quite tasty these days. Why burn cash when we can pick out the foods we enjoy best?

Besides, most of those prepared meal plans require the dieter to furnish 1 meal per day.

If you don't like to measure serving sizes, think about this....

How many times have you heard about how cutting out a soda per day can trim 10 pounds or more off the body in a year? Why so? It's certainly not the soda - rather the calories contained in the soda.

While we don't agree with the Soda Weight Loss Method (because the body will naturally migrate towards other calorie sources to fill the gap) we do know that measuring the food (energy) that we put into our bodies does work in achieving both weight loss and weight maintenance.

Types of Foods & Drinks Chosen Impact Our Diet Plan in Numerous Ways

Finally, outside of calories and fat content, the foods we choose are very important because of the following:

- foods containing fiber will help satisfy the appetite for longer periods at a time

- choosing lower calorie foods can allow us to eat more foods for less calories

- our foods need to satisfy not only our appetites, but also our nutritional needs and requirements

Our Lunch, Dinner Menus

This is perhaps the most important section of our Easy Diet Plan - the daily diet menus containing popular, favorite foods.

Although activity and exercise can burn calories which in turn, decreases the fat in the fat cells which in turn decreases the numbers on the weight scales - consumed energy, rather than expended energy makes the biggest impact on weight.

The ancient adage, 'You are what you eat', is accurate. When a healthy daily diet is combined with a healthy dose of exercise and activity, the Weight Loss Effect can be stunning.

Jump in and experiment with your personal favorite foods too. Keep your calories on track, and you're on a fast-track to weight loss success!

Here are many of our favorite tasty prepared food suggestions. Aim to keep the lunch and dinner meals at about 500 calories each.

Chili

One of our favorite chili brands is Campbell's Firehouse Beef & Bean. A skinny 230 calories per serving!

Both lunch and dinner contain 500 calories each. Therefore, the dieter can add anything their heart desires to add up to 500 calories.

We'll talk about that below and list our suggestions, but first we have to say that Campbell's Firehouse Chili is the best store-bought chili that we've tested and we feel it could be served in a gourmet restaurant very easily.

Our favorite variety is the beef & bean. Both beef and beans provide a healthy dose of protein - 15 grams.

A serving contains 3.5 grams of saturated fat - very good for a tasty bowl of chili.

We also consider the 230 calories per serving, very low for chili. There are also 8 grams of dietary fiber per serving of chili. As with most prepared foods, there is a good dose of sodium in the chili, as well as cholesterol. Super-heart healthy? No. Calorie friendly? Oh yes! Beneficial nutritional values? Oh yes!

Serving Suggestions for Chili Meal

Now for our suggestions to accommodate the chili:

- corn chips (110 calories worth)
- 1 slice of mozzarella cheese (50 calories worth)
- jalapeno slices (10 calories worth)
- cottage cheese (100 calories worth for light)  OR enjoy 100 calories more chili
- diet soda or diet lemonade or water

Cheese & Corn Chips Added to the Recipe

Let's look at the choice of cheese. Mozzarella - a light, low fat option that is flavorful and low in calories. Same with the cottage cheese, and both offer healthy calcium benefits.

Although the corn chips contain whole grain, they are very salty. Opting for low calorie or no calorie drinks can assist you in shaving unwanted pounds.

Cheese Nachos, Main Course

Most of the queso/cheese sauces found in the chip section contain about 40 calories per 1/4 cup (2 Tablespoons) which is very low in calories considering the cheesy blast! Add chips, peppers, light sour cream and one has a feast.

Simply heat the sauce, heat the chips and pour on the sauce. Top with your favorites if desired. Our calorie count and complete menu suggestion can be found below.

Side-Food Suggestions to Accompany Cheese Nachos

Other great side dishes include canned beans, and bagged salad. Pickled foods also go extremely well with Cheese Nachos - much like the tang of sliced, pickled jalapeno peppers that many of us pile onto our nachos. So if you're a 'pickled nut', we suggest tasty pickled beets and one of our favorites - pickled okra.

Dairy accompaniments enhance the creamy cheese flavor of the nachos, so a great side is low fat cottage cheese.

Dessert  Suggestions for Diet

Flans and puddings are terrific with Mexican cuisine but tend to be high in calories. But there are several ways to have your flan and eat it too.....sorta like cake, isn't it?

Just keep an eye out for prepared flans and puddings in the dairy section at the local market. Most contain about 100 calories - and taste good. Not excellent, but good.

The single serving selections assist in keeping portions under control. Yes, they do cost more than a homemade version might, but are those extra 'empty sugar calories' worth all that effort, not to mention the Tempting Temptation Factor?

Another great dessert that goes well with Mexican cuisine is cinnamon and sugar coated popcorn.

To keep calories low, as well as fat, use hot air popcorn - which by the way is very fun to make; next spray with no-calorie butter spray or use butter flavored cooking spray. Just a couple of short hisses will do. We just need enough Sticky Power so that the sugar and cinnamon will adhere to the popped corn.

Be sure to measure out the sugar, keeping in mind that it contains about 800 calories per cup. Minimize calorie content further by using Splenda or a mix of Splenda and sugar which can generally be found in the baking section of the market.

Calorie Count Total For Cheese Nacho Meal

diet nacho recipe2 servings of cheese sauce (80 calories)

1 serving of chips (200 calories worth)

Jalapeno Peppers (or your favorite peppers), a serving of salsa and a serving of light sour cream* (about 60 calories)

1/2 cup of your favorite beans (about 110 calories)

Salad Mix of Shredded Lettuce, Chopped Tomato, Sliced Cucumber, Raw Sliced Onion and Balsamic Vinegar** (about 50 calories)

*If you use regular sour cream, add 20 more calories.

**Balsamic vinegar makes a delightful salad dressing and contains a scant 5 calories per serving!

Pasta & Sauce PLUS Tips When Dieting

Oh yes, prepared pasta makes a nice, quick, easy meal!

My husband Tom and I try to keep a sealed container of cooked pasta in our fridge at all times. And we enjoy all varieties - from spaghetti to bowtie pasta. Just by switching the types of pasta, we can feel like we're enjoying a brand new dish, even when using the same sauce.

Grilled Proteins Add Minimal Calories & Fat to the Recipe

Another favorite that we like to add to pasta is prepared grilled chicken strips. Prepared roasted chicken is also a great basic source that can be used to create a myriad of recipes.

We cook the prepared chicken strips using butter flavored cooking spray on the stove top, then add to the pasta. An assortment of veggies (such as asparagus and sun-dried tomatoes and mushrooms and black olives and the list goes onward!) can also be cooked and added to the pasta dish.

Monitor the Sauces as They Can Be High in Calories & Fat Content

Oh those sauces. Because pasta contains a considerable amount of calories for what it is (about 200 calories per cup), special attention is required in choosing a sauce, because wouldn't ya rather eat more pasta than sauce? Well, maybe not, but the pasta does work well in filling up the tummy.

White or red? Meatless or meaty? Vegetarian or not? Spicy or not?

The Red Sauces, Tend to be Lower in Calories, Fat Content

Red sauces tend to contain less calories than the white-based sauces, but not always so check the labels. One of our favorite sauces comes in a can and is ultra economical. It's the traditional variety of Hunt's Spaghetti sauce and contains a scant 50 calories per 1/2 cup serving.

Cheese Tips for Your Pasta

And don't forget the grated parmesan cheese which is much lower in calories than one might think - a skinny 10 calories a teaspoon. Other side dishes that go well with pasta include crusty Italian bread, healthy bagged spring greens and other salad combinations, carrot and raisin salad, and pickled beets.

Adding Up the Calories at Meal Time

If you enjoy pasta more than sauce, enjoy 1 and 1/2 cups of pasta + 50 calories worth of sauce for a total of 350 calories.

Next, add 100 calories of your favorite bread (rolls, bread sticks, garlic bread, etc.). Also get in those oh-so-important veggies by enjoying either a lettuce/tomato/cucumber salad served with balsamic vinegar (5 calories per serving) or 2 cups of green beans OR 1 cup of green beans and a plum for dessert.

One plum that is about 2 inches in diameter contains about 30 calories, 4 mg of calcium, 6.3 mg of vitamin C, and 125 mcg of beta carotene and 48 mcg of lutein + zeaxanthin (important for eye health).

Chinese Stir Fry

To create this easy, economical recipe you will need:

- 1 large chicken breast, boned with skin removed & cubed into bite-sized pieces (260 calories) OR, you can opt to use shrimp or any other favorite protein, even beans that have been thoroughly drained.

- 1 package of chicken or Oriental  flavored Ramen Noodles (380 calories)

- 1 cup of raw spinach (7 calories)

- 1/4 cup of chopped onion OR use a mix of chopped celery, onion and bell pepper (about 20 calories)

How to Prepare Our Diet Chinese Stir Fry Recipe

diet stir fry recipeUsing cooking spray, add chicken and onions to the pan and when chicken turns golden, add the spinach. Next, add 1 cup of water and when it reaches a boil, add the noodles and the seasoning package.

When noodles separate, allow to cook until they are tender - about 2 minutes.

Drain off any excess liquid. Add a bit of no calorie butter spray if desired which adds a really nice buttery flavor to the dish without adding calories.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with sugar snap peas and fresh bread and your favorite Chinese sauce.

This recipe contains about 225 calories per serving and makes three generous servings.

Serve with a healthy garden salad.

This Ramen Noodle recipe heats up extremely well. Also, for less sodium, try omitting the package that accompanies the noodles.

Dieting Tips for Meal Time

1. You're not going to a race, so relax. Sit a spell. Enjoy your meal. Don't eat too fast, eat slow and enjoy each delicious bite.

2. If you add more vegetables without sauces and fats you can enjoy more food at meal time. Vegetables are exceptionally minimal in calorie content excepting a handful - like potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn and winter squash.

3. While dieting it might be best to forego dessert and instead save those calories for snack time. They can be used to 'purchase' a natural fruit snack - such as a juicy peach or a creamy banana or other fruit that you enjoy.

Ravioli

Whether you grab a can or prepare your own, ravioli can certain fit into your weight loss plan.

If you choose canned, simply view the label for the calorie details.

Enjoy up to 300 calories worth; add a crusty slice of bread for an additional 100 calories, a salad mix of lettuce, tomato, cucumber and balsamic vinegar as a dressing (only 5 calories per serving), and a nice peach for dessert. OR, make our delicious from-scratch recipe below.

Lower Calorie Recipe for Ravioli Recipe Tip

Rather than create a basic dough from scratch, we simply use the wonton or egg-roll wrappers that are pre-made. Fill each with a mix of the following ingredients.

Ravioli Filling Ingredients - Simply mix well before filling dough wrappers:

diet ravoli recipe15 ounces of Ricotta cheese (skim/reduced calories & fat)
10 ounces of frozen spinach, squeezed completely dry
1 cup of grated mozzarella cheese - skim variety
1 egg, beaten
salt & pepper to suit personal taste

Ravioli Creamy White Sauce Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons of light margarine
2 Tablespoons of flour (all purpose)
1 1/4 cups of skim milk
salt & pepper to suit personal taste
Just a pinch of nutmeg

Heat margarine in a deep non stick pan on the stove top on low heat; add flour and quickly stir to make a smooth paste. Add milk, salt and pepper. Cook until sauce thickens and add nutmeg. 

This low calorie ravioli recipe may also be topped with marinara sauce if you prefer a red versions. This a vegetarian friendly recipe.

Calories will vary depending upon the wrappers that are used for the Ravioli recipe.

Pizza

Yes, you can enjoy pizza while losing weight and you don't have to settle for the cardboard dough-wad versions containing zero calories.

Simply check the label of your favorite pizza and decide from there. The Tombstone and Red Baron Pizzas are very flavorful and satisfying, particularly when topped with whole red pepper. The calorie count is typically very low.

And if you're a parmesan cheese lover - shake on a bit of that as it's ultra low in calories.

No matter what pizza you choose, we recommend cutting it into smaller slices as this Weight Loss Tip will trick the mind into thinking that you're eating more than you really are. Rather than 1 or 2 large pieces, 2 or 4 small slices is so much nicer, isn't it?

And if you're dining out, our Pizza Calorie guide located here might be of help. You might also find these pages at Diet Bites helpful: Pizza Calories  |  Pizza Smarter Choices

Side-Food Suggestions for Dieters

It's mighty hard to beat a salad/pizza combination. The low calorie content of the salad helps balance the higher calories of the pizza. The killer comes in the form of salad dressing. So let's work our way around this and opt for balsamic vinegar for a tiny 5 calories per serving. It also adds a unique flavor to the salad.

And forget adding cheese to your salad. There's enough to make a New Moon on the pizza, right?

Dessert Menu Options for Dieters

Top off your pizza with a little pizzazz in the form of fruity goodness. How about a nice kiwi for a kicky 46 calories?

Calorie Count Total for Pizza Meal

pizza (400 calories worth)

1 side salad containing 4 cups of finely cut lettuce, a few cherry tomatoes OR 1 small chopped tomato, cucumber slices and onion slices if desired, topped with balsamic vinegar (about 50 calories)

1 medium kiwi, skin removed (about 50 calories)

Sausage or Bacon & Eggs

Eggs are Healthy But High in Cholesterol, Thus Moderation is Key

Eggs are one of the healthiest, purest foods on the planet, yet due to their cholesterol content, they are whipped to pieces by most Weight Loss Gurus & Health Nuts.

Packed with protein - which helps rid the body of water retention while supplying nutrients to muscles for strength, eggs can indeed be included in a healthy daily diet.

What about bacon? Sausage? Yes, both are little strips or patties that consist mostly of fat, but they too can be part of a healthy daily diet. Keep in mind that moderation is always the key.

Opt for the center cut or leanest bacon available which generally contains about 50 calories for two strips when microwaved between the wet sheets (two damp paper towels). On the stove-top? Add about 20 more calories.

Add whole grain bread, a pat of butter, your favorite fruit preserves and a glass of skim or lower fat milk and you've got a dynamite meal that will stick to your ribs, morning - noon - or night. Here is the calorie breakdown:

- 2 eggs - scrambled using cooking spray, boiled, poached, sunny side up, soft fried in cooking spray (140 calories)

- 2 strips of center cut bacon (50 calories)
- 1 slice of whole grain bread (70 calories)
- margarine or butter (60 calories worth)
- fruit jam or preserves (60 calories worth)
- milk (100 calories)

Enjoy one plum for dessert.

Penny Pancakes, a breakfast recipe for your diet plan

Three frozen pancakes heated and topped with the following:

1/2 cup of fresh strawberries mixed with Splenda
1 Spoon of light Whipped Topping

Serves one for about 325 calories.

Lower Calorie French Toast Recipe

Ingredients for this low calorie, low fat recipe are:

White Bread
1 small carton of Egg Substitute plus 1/2 cup skim milk

Butter Flavored Cooking Spray

Powdered Sugar

Sugar Free Syrup

Ground Cinnamon

Dip bread into egg mixture. Spray non-stick pan with cooking spray and cook toast, turning when golden. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and cinnamon if desired. Serve with warm sugar free syrup.

Pajama Party, Snack Suggestions

Enjoy a fruit and cheese plate for mid-morning brunch when you just can't find time for breakfast. Try this for about 250 calories: 1 cup of fresh strawberries, 2 ounces of assorted cheese and 1 cup of grapes.

Hot Tamales

When purchasing hot tamales at your local market, be sure to check the label as they can vary greatly in calories. Great toppings include:

- light sour cream
- picante or hot sauce
- hot dog sauce
- queso sauce (the 40 calories per serving variety found in the chip section at the market)

Great side dishes for hot tamales include:

- rice
- beans
- healthy salad mix of lettuce, tomatoes, cilantro

More Low Calorie Mexican Style Recipes by Diet Bites

Taco Amigo, a diet recipe

Ingredients for this low calorie, low fat recipe are:

1 pound of extra lean ground beef or turkey
3 Tablespoons of Chili Powder
1 Teaspoon of Cumin
Salt, Pepper
1/2 Cup of diced Onion

How to Prepare This Recipe

Cook until meat is done. Makes enough to fill 1 dozen corn taco shells. Fill shells with meat; top with the following salad, then add salsa: Shredded lettuce,chopped tomato,chopped onion, 2 Tablespoons of grated cheese,1 Tablespoon of chopped cilantro.

This low calorie recipe serves 12 and contains about 1,800 calories or 180 calories per Taco.

Macho Nachos Recipe for Dieters

Ingredients for this low calorie, lower fat recipe are as follows.

1 serving of restaurant style tortilla chips (allow 140 calories)
1 Tablespoon of Salsa
2 ounces of finely graded mozzarella cheese (140 calories)
1/4 cup of skim milk (less for thick sauce, more for thin cheese sauce)

Prepare cheese sauce in microwavable pan: Melt cheese, milk and salsa. Pour over warmed chips. Cheese sauce tends to thicken as it cools.

This low calorie, low fat free diet menu recipe contains about 310 calories. Based on using 1/4 cup of skim milk.

Diet Mexican Food, Recipes, NachosDiet Tortilla Hat Roll Recipe

Recipe Ingredients, How to Prepare

4 Corn Tortillas Shells Sprayed with Cooking Spray
2 Pieces of String Cheese split lengthwise (50 calories each)
Salsa

Warm tortillas in paper towel. Remove and carefully place string cheese into each corn shell. Roll. Return to microwave for about 15 seconds. Enjoy with salsa.

String cheese creates a rich filling. Enjoy carefully and slowly. Never give string cheese to small children because it may cause choking. Recipe contains about 300 calories.

Getting Your Dumpling Fix While Dieting, Tips

Sweet Sue makes a canned Chicken & Dumplings that can be on the table in a wink of the eye. Other ready-made options include Chicken & Dumplings soup versions.

However, when only homemade will do, we have a bunch of options.

Our Quick Recipe for Chicken & Dumplings

Or like this tasty, speedy recipe for Chicken & Dumplings:

Use drumsticks for a tastier chicken and dumpling recipe. Boil about half a dozen legs in water with chopped onion and chopped celery.

Use just enough water to cover the legs about 1 inch so the broth will be very chicken-y.

Remove the legs when they are done; allow to cool and remove meat from the bone.

While the legs are cooling, add bagged pasta dumplings to the boiling water. Use a spoon of olive oil if the dumplings appear as if they are trying to stick together during cooking. After dumpling are done, add 1 cup of skim milk to the pot. Stir and add the chicken, as well as pepper and salt to season.

Enjoy with a garden salad of lettuce, baby spinach, tomato and cucumber topped with balsamic vinegar as a dressing.

To calculate the calories in the dumplings, simply check the pasta bag. Chicken legs contain about 150 calories each.

If more chicken flavor is desired, add chicken bouillon cubes or canned broth. For speedier preparation, canned broth can be used with cooked chicken. Store-bought roasted chicken works very well in recipe.

Pass the Pudding Please, Pudding Tips for Dieters

Dieters usually ban pudding from their diet but it can actually help in satisfying a sweet tooth for minimal calories while providing a bit of dairy in the diet.

Here are our suggestions for pudding while dieting that we hope are of help:

Use skim milk; use Sugar Free, Fat Free Puddings. If more sweetness in desired, add a bit of Splenda for zero calories.

Mexican Fiesta - The Easy Diet Plan

Dieting & Enjoying Mexican Food - Yes You Can!

Diet Bites contains a plethora of Mexican food recipes that are delicious and low in fat and calories but who - oh who, can ever have enough recipes relating to tacos, enchiladas and tortilla soup?

Certainly not us; we're continually experimenting in our humble kitchen and always coming up with unique flavor combinations. And isn't it humorous that some of the best recipes that all of us have in our recipe boxes were discovered by accident?

Senorita's Tortilla Soup Recipe

This low calorie, low fat recipe for tortilla soup serves 1 for about 100 calories without the cheese and tortilla strips.

Saute cilantro and onion in a bit of cooking spray. Add chicken broth and chicken. Top with a few crushed tortilla chips or use tortilla strips. Add a bit of shredded mozzarella cheese if desired.

Recipe Ingredients:

1 can of clear chicken broth
1/4 cup of cooked white chicken breast

Juice of one lime

1/4 cup of chopped cilantro
1/4 cup of chopped onion

Sombreros, a low calorie Mexican Recipe

Recipe Ingredients:

2 Tostada Shells
1/4 cup of refried beans plus 1 teaspoon of chili powder

1 slice of cheese (70 calories)

Salsa (optional)

Salad mix of the following: 1 teaspoon chopped cilantro, 1 cup of shredded lettuce, 2 cherry tomatoes sliced, 1 Tablespoon of finely grated cheese.

Smear beans on tostada shells. Add 1/2 slice of cheese to each. Microwave until cheese melts. Top with salad and salsa. Add light sour cream if desired, but be sure to count those additional calories. This low calorie, low fat free diet menu recipe makes 1 serving for about 275 calories.

Mexican Food Tips for Dieters

Many options for low calorie Mexican cuisine are awaiting the dieter at their local market. Here a just a few suggestions:

- TV Style Dinners containing 350 calories or less;

- Frozen Burritos contains 300 calories or less;

- Canned Mexican Tortilla Soup found in the soup section at the market.

In Summary

The Easy Diet Plan is intended for those individuals who can't turn loose of their favorite foods, yet who want to drop the unwanted weight.

So if you're ready to get started losing weight while still enjoying your favorite foods - let's do it! This is yet another free weight loss and diet plan from your Diet Bites.

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