Five Simple Swaps To Help You Cut Calories This Summer

With summer comes swim suit season, the promise of shorts and a tank top or two to feel the heat of our sometimes distant sun. We’re all about feeling blissful in a bikini, but we’ve no intention of hauling over the calorie counts and imposing a restriction on all foods delicious. Thankfully, we’ve sorted the top five tips for cutting down calories without missing out on the fun in the sun. You’ll be applying your sun cream to your slinky arms in no time… Slimming Soda We all love a nice refreshing sip in the sun, but there's no reason your share of the drop needs to wreak havoc on the waistline. Try making your wine last longer with a splash of diet lemonade for a wine spritzer, or a bottle of light beer instead of picking up the full-fat option. They still taste great, and the tipple won't make you tip the scales. Balance out the BBQ For the five days of summer we do manage to get, there's not a road in the country that the waft of a BBQ can't be smelt drifting in the air. Do some simple swaps from a full fat cheese slice to a low fat square for the same taste, and be careful of all the added sauces high in sugar. Win points with the host and bring some peppers and cous cous to bulk out the meat options on the grill. The host, and everyone eating, will love you for it! Go Continental Ever wonder how all those Spanish ladies have the nipped in waists? The continental diet always starts with a healthy breakfast, packed with fruit, yoghurt, natural grains, eggs or light meats. Be sure to eat a proper breakfast and then you’ll be guaranteed to curb any mid-morning sugar rush snacks. The quickest way to cut the calories is to have three balanced meals that keep your energy up all day long.   Snack Swaps Summer means fresh fruit and berries are ripe and ready for eating. Swap the chocolate and crisps for some chopped fruit salad or a punnet of strawberries and low-fat yoghurt. Keep the appetite at bay by nibbling on a LowLow Snack Pack that'll keep your energy up with healthy food on the go. Tempted by ice-cream? Frozen yoghurt can be a seriously delicious way of having your cake and eating it too. But in frozen treats. You know what we mean… Cut Down the Carbs We’re not saying to banish all bread and potatoes, we live in Ireland and that just isn’t realistic. What we will say is that occasionally try using a head of lettuce for wraps for your fajitas or salad wraps. Try making open sandwiches and use only one slice of bread, or mix up the potato mix with thickly chopped peppers, aubergine and tomatoes. Colourful, tasty and a quick way to cut down the carb calories.