200 Calories or Less - A Low Calorie Life

Smoothie Criminal? Calories in McDonald's Smoothies

2011-10-26T13:28:00.000-07:00

McDonald's smoothies seem like a quick way to get some of your 5 a day while on the go. Are McDonald's smoothies really calorie criminals in disguise?

Let's take a look.

How many calories are in a McDonald's Strawberry Banana Smoothie?

12 oz McDonald's Strawberry Banana Smoothie has 210 calories.
16 oz McDonald's Strawberry Banana Smoothie has 260 calories.
22 oz McDonald's Strawberry Banana Smoothie has 330 calories.

How many calories are in a McDonald's Wild Berry Smoothie?

12 oz McDonald's Wild Berry Smoothie has 210 calories.
16 oz McDonald's Wild Berry Smoothie has 260 calories.
22 oz McDonald's Wild Berry Smoothie has 320 calories, ( not sure what is going on here).

How many calories are in a McDonald's Mango Pineapple Smoothie?

12 oz McDonald's Mango Pineapple Smoothie has 220 calories.
16 oz McDonald's Mango Pineapple Smoothie has 270 calories.
22 oz McDonald's Mango Pineapple Smoothie has 350 calories.

These McDonald's smoothies are low in fat, and do provide a good source of Vitamins A & C, but they are LOADED with sugar. While they aren't the worst breakfast choice, you could do better making a smoothie at home or eating some fruit and yogurt.

Feel free to leave comments on what fast food items you would like me to review next!!

2011-05-08T12:00:00.000-07:00

1000 Low Carb Recipes- Free Download

I know not everyone is into the low carb thing, but lots of people are and this is a cool download. You don't have to fill out any email or anything, just share the link on twitter or facebook and it takes you right to the free download. I haven't had the chance to try any of them yet, but a bunch of them look good.

http://coolestfreestuff.weebly.com/

2010-11-18T09:52:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Diet Tips For A Thinner You

When we think about the holidays, the first thing that comes to mind is the food. It's easy for some people to accept the inevitable weight gain. For them, it's just part of the holiday tradition. For some people, it means working doubly hard to lose the extra pounds. Thanksgiving is traditionally celebrated with foods heavy on carbohydrates. It is one holiday that most Americans allow themselves to indulge. However, experts believe that Thanksgiving celebrations need not ruin your weight goals. Let us find out how.

Eat breakfast everyday especially during the holidays. Eating breakfast gives you control over what you eat for the rest of the day. Eat whole grains such as steel cut oats, whole wheat bread, egg white omelets or scrambled tofu for protein. Milk should be low fat, and add an apple or a banana. Drink lots of water. Fortifying yourself with a good breakfast prevents overeating. This is critical when you plan to enjoy Thanksgiving Day. Water will help with your metabolism and will also flush out toxins from alcoholic drinks.

Staying active throughout the holidays is really important. Having a regular exercise routine is even better. Preparing yourself physically for the holidays ahead is very good. We all have our levels and stages of fitness, but any kind of exercise is beneficial. If you're really pressed for time, you can even do 15 minute exercise sessions. Spot opportunities and fit your workout in it. Target at least two 15 minute exercise sessions a day. You can manage this better if you have exercise equipment at home. Add incidental workouts like walking and climbing stairs. Even fidgeting can help burn calories. It all adds up. What's important is to expend equal or more than what you consume.

On Thanksgiving Day, prepare to be tempted with yummy food. Narrow down your options to traditional Thanksgiving fare. These are foods you don't usually eat everyday. White turkey meat, pumpkin pie, roasted sweet potatoes and vegetables are healthy and low calorie. Beware of sauces and gravy though, because they contain a lot of calories. Try to skip second helpings if you can. The food will still be there tomorrow. Besides, you need room for dessert. Savor your food and eat slowly. This makes you feel satisfied. Avoiding alcohol is unrealistic. Instead, try to keep it to a minimum. Sip your wine slowly and drink lots of water.

These are simple tips to get through Thanksgiving without gaining weight. The importance of staying active cannot be stressed enough. Minding your portions is necessary to limit calorie consumption. Enjoy the bounty of food and drinks. Most of all, celebrate family and friendship. This is what Thanksgiving is all about.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Warrington

2010-09-04T19:17:00.000-07:00

7 Low Calorie Snacks Under 100 Calories

Half a cup of frozen orange juice, eaten with a spoon makes a lovely sorbet. (61 calories)
A cup of coffee with 1/4 cup non-fat milk and 2 vanilla wafers, for an afternoon boost. (60 calories)
Three dark chocolate Hershey kisses to get that chocolate fix. (77 calories)
One cup frozen watermelon balls or chunks, summery sweet! (46 calories)
Three medium stalks of celery dipped in mustard for a savory treat! (31 calories)
Two boiled eggs with the yolk removed, if you need a protein fix. ( 34 calories)
A slice of turkey lunch meat, wrapped in a lettuce leaf with a bit of spicy mustard. ( 20-40 calories, depending on your meat choice - the lettuce and mustard add about 6 calories).

2010-08-17T06:03:00.000-07:00

200 Calories is now on Twitter

I am now on Twitter! Follow me on Twitter and get the latest updates to the blog. Just click the follow me button on the right sidebar.

2010-07-31T16:03:00.000-07:00

Super Simple and Refreshing Summer Salad
(71 calories)

1 medium cucumber, peeled and chopped (24 calories)
2 Roma tomatoes, chopped (22 calories)
2 Tablespoons Balsamic vinegar (20 calories)
Squeeze of lemon (2-5 calories)
Pinch of salt

Mix all the ingredients together. Let marinate for 2-24 hours. You can eat this salad on its own or mix it with salad greens. It is very refreshing for the summer because cucumber helps cool the body.

2010-07-23T17:13:00.000-07:00

TRICK OR TREAT? McDonald's Frozen Strawberry Lemonade

It's summer. It's hot. What is better than a nice frozen beverage? But is it worth the calories?

The new McDonald's Frozen Strawberry Lemonade is fat free, but it still sports a whopping 270 calories for the SMALL! That is 12 oz. Extrapolating the other sizes, I calculated:

Small (12 oz) McDonald's Frozen Strawberry Lemonade is 270 calories!
Medium (16 oz) McDonald's Frozen Strawberry Lemonade is 360 calories!!
Large ( 20 oz) McDonald's Frozen Strawberry Lemonade is 450 calories!!! EEK!!!

So if you are watching calories you might want to bypass McDonald's. A low calorie option would be the Sonic Diet Cherry Limeade. A Route 44 ( and I can't drink 44 oz) is only 26 calories.

Image: Graeme Weatherston / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

2010-07-22T10:02:00.000-07:00

Super Quick & Easy Low Calorie Vegetable Soup

2 cups fat free chicken broth (30)

3/4 cup Fresh Express 3 color Cole Slaw (this is a bagged salad) (10)

Simmer the cole slaw mix in the chicken broth. The whole pot is 40 calories!! Talk about low calorie!! I find warm foods to be especially filling.

2010-07-22T08:28:00.000-07:00

New Look, New Outlook

I changed the look. I hope you like it. It is time to give this blog the attention it deserves. pro ana

2008-10-26T11:44:00.000-07:00

Tostada (125 calories)

1 6" corn tortilla (55 calories)
1/4 cup Fat Free refried black beans (60 calories)
Chopped onion (5 calories)
Taco Bell restaurant sauce (0 calories)
salad greens (5 calories)

Bake tortilla in oven until crisp. This will take about 15-20 minutes at 450 degrees.
Remove tortilla from oven, spread warmed beans over the tortilla. Add other toppings as desired. ENJOY!!

Adding half an ounce of cheese will add about 56 calories.

2006-11-16T12:40:00.000-08:00

Cucumber and Garlic Cream Cheese Spread
Serves 8, 28 calories per serving

8 oz fat-free cream cheese
2 T finely chopped cucumber
1 clove garlic, pressed
2 tsp. dried onion or onion soup mix
salt to taste (omit if using soup mix)

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Chill.

Serve with veggies, melba rounds or whatever sounds good!!

Khyber's note: I eat more than 1 serving at a time of this, but it is pretty low in cals, especially if served with veggies. Add a splash of hot sauce to spice things up!

2006-08-07T21:06:00.000-07:00

Egg Salad 91 calories

If you are looking for something to fill that lunchbox, here's a great idea.

Egg Salad (91)

3 egg whites (51)
1.5 Tbsp FF mayo (15)
1 Tbsp sweet relsih (15)
Dash of mustard (0)
Lettuce (10)

I promise I'll post more!!

2006-07-05T10:19:00.005-07:00

Eggs Florentine
64 calories

3 egg whites (or 3/8 c egg beaters) (45)
1 white mushroon, sliced
2 Tbsp chopped onion
1 clove garlic, pressed
1 c fresh baby spinach (7)

Saute onion, mushroom & garlic in nonstick pan or pan sprayed with non-stick spray. When onions are soft, add spinach and saute until wilted. Pour in eggs. Cook thoroughly. Salt and pepper to taste.

This is a nice way to get a protein boost and even a serving of veggies in the morning. Round out the meal with some fresh fruit to get 2 of your 5 day!

2006-07-01T18:33:00.000-07:00

Strawberry Cheesecake Bites
Serves: 11 (4 strawberries per serving)
65 calories per serving 1 g fat 1 g fiber
Variation : 56 calories per 4 strawberry serving

Preparation Time: 45 mins
Cooking Time: 0 mins
Extra Time: 3 hrs for refrigeration

Cheesecake morsels are just enough for a tasty dessert or snack!
Ingredients:

1 (8 oz.) package fat free cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup powdered sugar

2 tsp lemon juice

44 medium strawberries, whole

1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs

Directions:

In a small mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, sugar, and lemon juice until smooth and creamy, set aside.

Using a paring knife, hollow out the top of each strawberry to a depth of approximately 3/4 an inch. Gently fill each with cream cheese mixture using a pastry bag just slightly above the tops. Place them on a cookie sheet(s) as you do this.

Once all of the strawberries are filled, dip each top into the graham cracker crumbs and place back onto the cookie sheet(s).

Place the cookie sheet(s) into the refrigerator and leave them for a few hours or over night to completely chill.

To lower the calories further, use 1/3 c Splenda granular instead of the sugar to save 98 cals per recipe or 9 cals per serving.

This recipe came from Calorie King

2006-06-30T05:21:00.000-07:00

Skinny Zucchini Fritatta
65 cals per serving
Makes 4 servings
Variation 54 cals per serving

2 small zucchini
1 tsp water
2 green onions, chopped
1 tsp basil
1 tsp dried marjoram
1-1/2 c egg substitute (or egg whites)
2 Tbsp parmesan cheese

Julienne zucchini. Place water in a 10 inch skillet, add zucchini and onions. Cook over low heat about 3 mins. Drain and discard cooking liquid. Stir in herbs, carefully pour egg substitute over veggie/herb mixture. Cook over low heat until mixture starts to set. Lift edges of uncooked mixture to flow underneath. Continue cooking until nearly set. Sprinkle with cheese. Broil 1 minute and serve.

Khyber's lower cal variation: Leave out the cheese to save 11 cals per serving.

2006-06-29T11:06:00.000-07:00

Taco Salad
169 cals
variation 101 cals

3 cups salad greens (30)
1/2 c canned black beans (80)
1 Tbsp salsa (10)
1/2 oz Fat Free shredded cheese (21)
5 bite sized Baked Tostitos chips (28)
Taco Bell red sauce (0)

Lower cal variation - use 1/4 beans to save 40 cals, leave off the chips to save an additional 28. Feel free to play around with your own combos. This is a nice quick summer meal that fills a plate without filling out your thighs!

NOTE: Sorry I haven't posted as much this week- I have been super busy. Please help support this site by clicking on the advertisers above. Every click helps!!! Thanks!!

2006-06-24T18:09:00.000-07:00

Chocolate-Almond Meringue Cookies
Original recipe 33 cals per cookie
Variation 15 cals per cookie

1/3 cup slivered almonds, ground
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 (1-ounce) square semisweet chocolate, grated
2 large egg whites (at room temperature)
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
3/4 cup sifted powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 300°.

Combine first 4 ingredients in a bowl; set aside.

Beat egg whites and cream of tartar at high speed of a mixer until foamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Add almond extract, and beat until blended. Gently fold in almond mixture.

Drop egg white mixture by level tablespoons 2 inches apart onto a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake egg white mixture at 300° for 45 minutes. Remove cookies from pan; let cool on wire racks.

Yield: 2 dozen (serving size: 1 cookie)

NUTRITION PER SERVING
CALORIES 33(35% from fat); FAT 1.3g (sat 0.3g,mono 0.7g,poly 0.2g); PROTEIN 0.8g; CHOLESTEROL 0.0mg; CALCIUM 6mg; SODIUM 4mg; FIBER 0.3g; IRON 0.2mg; CARBOHYDRATE 4.8g

Jim Fobel
Cooking Light, JANUARY 1997

KYBER'S Lower cal variation--- Leave out the slivered almonds to save 451 cals for the whole recipe, or over 18 cals per cookie!!

2006-06-22T20:36:00.000-07:00

Honey Lime White Fish
1 serving = 104 cals 0.5 g fat 0 fibre

4 oz lowfat white fish (I use whiting) (80)
1 tsp honey (20)
1 Tbsp lime juice (4)

Mix honey and lime juice together. Pour over fish and bake at 325 degrees for 8-10 minutes, or until fish is flakey.

This is a nice entree. You could cut calories with a smaller portion, but why bother? Pair this with a salad and/or some steamed veggies and you've got a tasty dinner.

2006-06-20T10:17:00.000-07:00

Low Calorie Peanut Butter Cookies (no cook)
128-138 for entire recipe

1 Tablespoon of smooth, crunchy or extra crunchy peanut butter (90-100 depending on brand)
several packs of Splenda
1 Tablespoon of quick or original oats (38)

Roll into balls. Roll into more Splenda if desired.

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2006-06-18T08:53:00.000-07:00

Portobello Stuffed Zucchini Boats
1 serving =26 cals
whole recipe = 156

3 medium zucchini, cut in half lengthwise
nonstick cooking spray
2 portobello mushrooms, finely chopped
1 med red pepper, finely chopped
1 T vinegar
3 T white wine (can use broth)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Scoop out insides of zucchini. Chop zucchini meat and set aside. Spray zucchini skins and bake for 10 mins. Meanwhile, cook mushroom, pepper, zucchini meat and vinegar in skillet over high heat. Add wine and cook until liquid is absorbed. Divide mixture among zucchini skins. Bake until tops are slightly browned.

I don't have a lower calorie variation with this b/c it is so low already. Two zucchini boats paired with some grilled or baked fish would make a lovely low calorie meal. 3 oz of white fish is only about 60 calories.

PS- I will update all the recipes soon with fat and fibre information. Feel free to leave comments with suggestions of things you'd like. I really enjoy creating "spa meals" and tweaking old recipes.

2006-06-17T10:00:00.000-07:00

Warm Eggplant Wrap
Makes 1 well stuffed wrap
144 cals
variation: 94 calories

1.5 oz precooked grilled eggplant –NOT BREADED (I buy mine premade in the freezer section) 25
2 T onions (finely chopped) (5)
1 cloves garlic (pressed or finely chopped)(4)
2-3 white mushrooms (3)
1 c fresh baby spinach (7)
1 tortilla (100)

Cut eggplant slices into strips (like fajita meat). Sautee eggplant, onions and garlic until soft together in non-stick skillet or regular skillet sprayed with non-stick spray. Add mushrooms and spinach, sautee until spinach is wilted (2-3 mins). Wrap filling in tortilla.

Variation: Use the La Tortilla Factory brand tortillas. They are only 50 calories each instead of 100 calories. If you can’t find La Tortilla Factory brand look for a lower calorie tortilla.

I recently created this recipe and have been eating it almost every day since. It is very nutritious and filling!

2006-06-15T06:10:00.000-07:00

Egg McNuthin
This makes for a nice breakfast that will get you through the morning!

160 cals (original)
98 cals (variation)

1 lite English muffin (100)
1 egg white (15)
1 slice FF cheese (25)
1 slice extra lean turkey bacon (20)

Cook bacon, set aside. Scramble and cook egg white. (You can add a drop of yellow color for a more eggy look.) While the egg is cooking, pop the english muffin in the toaster. When toaster pops assemble with cheese on bottom, then bacon then egg.

Lower calorie variation: Eat it open-faced to save 50 cals and use only half a slice of cheese to save an additional 12.5 calories.

2006-06-14T07:21:00.000-07:00

Low Calorie Recipe of the Day

Stuffed Mushrooms
3 mushrooms = 41 cals
whole recipe = 164 cals

12 large mushrooms
2 T lemons juice
1 small red onion, finely chopped
1 tsp dill
2 T nonfat plain yogurt
1 tsp mustard (preferably dijon)
Salt & pepper to taste

Finely chop mushroom stems, leaving caps whole. Over high heat combine 1 T lemon juice with 1 qt water. Bring to a boil. Add mushroom caps and cook until tender. Transfer to a bowl filled with ice water. Drain and pat dry. In a separate bowl combine red onion, dill, yogurt, mustard and remaining lemon juice. Evenly divide filling among mushroom caps.