The Best Ways to Cut 100, 250, and 500+ Calories

1. ADD THE OLIVE OIL LAST
We often think of sautéing as a lowfat cooking method, but some vegetables, such as eggplant, mushrooms, and greens, tend to soak up the majority of the fat that's added to the pan. Dean Rucker, executive chef at the Golden Door Spa in Escondido, California, suggests steaming your veggies instead, then tossing them with a few teaspoons of extra-virgin olive oil, a squeeze of lemon, and a pinch of red pepper flakes and sea salt.
Calories saved per cup: 150

2. ASK FOR A "DRY" BUN
"Chefs and line cooks often swipe a knifeful of butter or mayo on a sandwich or burger before they hand it over to you," says Devin Alexander, the host of Healthy Decadence on FitTV.
Calories saved: 120

3. BE PICKY ABOUT PIE
Eat the filling but skip the bottom layer of crust, advises Lisa Sasson, R.D., a clinical associate professor of nutrition and food studies at New York University.
Calories saved: 150

4. LIGHTEN YOUR JUICE
Fill a water bottle with 6 ounces of juice and an equal amount of sparkling water, suggests Janel Ovrut, R.D., a nutritionist in Boston. Or make an Arnold Palmer by mixing 6 ounces of lemonade with an equal amount of unsweetened iced tea.
Calories saved: 100

5. MAKE SKINNY MASHED POTATOES
Mix in half a cup of low-sodium chicken broth for every 3 pounds of potatoes instead of half a cup of butter or heavy cream, advises Hana A. Feeney, M.S., R.D., a nutritionist at Canyon Ranch Resort in Tucson, Arizona. If you still crave that rich flavor, top a small scoop of mashed potatoes with a pat of butter (that's about a teaspoon) for just 36 extra calories.
Calories saved per cup: 150

6. USE HALF THE BEEF IN BURGERS
Mix 1½ cups of finely chopped mushrooms with half a pound of lean ground beef and serve it in place of an all-beef patty, suggests Andrea-Michelle Brekke, R.D., a New York City nutritionist.
Calories saved: 100

7. SWITCH YOUR SOUP
"You can assume that varieties made with milk or cream—like clam chowder or cream of broccoli—contain 25 to 50 percent more calories than those made with a tomato base or clear broth, such as minestrone or vegetable soup," says Brekke. When dining out, be sure to ask your waiter if the soup is dairy-free.
Calories saved per 12 oz.: 100 to 200

8. TRADE IN YOUR WINEGLASS
"Traditional red wine goblets are designed with a larger bowl to allow the liquid inside a chance to breathe," says Brekke. "Fill it up and you may be getting 8 to 9 ounces of wine." Using a champagne flute, which holds only about 5 ounces, guarantees automatic portion control.
Calories saved: 100