400 calories | 400 Calories or Less

I’ve been on this ‘diet’ for quite some time now – and I have to say that there is really ZERO DEPRIVATION involved. I have eaten EVERYTHING – butter, cream, chocolate, cheese, breads, pizza, beef, fried foods….and the list goes on.

This really is not a diet for me anymore – it is a way of life and eating 400 calorie portions just means eating things in moderation. I crave nothing because I get it all. I don’t make every meal a heavier one. But with some of them, I pack the 400 calories with ingredients that are just going to make it TASTE rich and decadent. Other meals I get more bang for my calorie buck by serving lots of veggies, fruits, fish, grilled chicken – all the things you expect to see when eating healthy. It’s a balancing act – but well worth the effort because I can eat things like you see here on my blog…

And so can you – and you can lose weight while doing it !

Here are some GRAND, RICH, DECADENT, DELICIOUS foods that make sure you are not feeling deprived:

Eggs and Corned Beef Hash
Banana Pancakes
Elvis’ French Toast

Toasted Clubs
Monte Cristo
Pesto and Mozzarella
Grilled Cheese
Greek BLT
Hot Dog
Homemade Hot Pockets
Pita Pepperoni Pizza
Cheeseburgers
Sloppy Joes
Grilled Cheese and Tomato

Stuffed Shells Florentine
Lasagna
Coffee and Steak
Meatloaf
Pork Souvlaki
Steak with Mushroom Gravy
Braised Pork with Cream Sauce
Cuban Beef
Pasta with Lentils
Beef and Tomatoes

Egg Rolls
Homemade Lo Mein
Fried Rice
Home Fries
Macaroni and Cheese
Garlicky Oven Fries
Pepper Muffins
Cheesy Spirals
Potato Skins

Peanut Butter Cupcakes
Key Lime Pie
Cinnamon Rolls
Soft Serve Vanilla Ice Cream
Dulche de Leche Rice Pudding
Coconut Fudgies
Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry Brownie Cake

I wanted to give a big thank you to all my Facebook fans and Blog followers. I’ve taken my love of cooking, a new interest in food photography, wrapped it up with my need for a food/meal plan that is healthy and something I can stick with – – and it all became 400 Calories or Less.

Seeing your interest, reading your comments and emails, and knowing that I am helping others really makes it all so rewarding.

And to answer a few questions that are coming in often:

1. Yes, I do take all the pictures of the food. (Special thanks to my family for being so patient as I photograph the food before we sit down to eat !)

2. Yes, I cook all these recipes. Not a single one goes up without my trying it at least once. And the ones that are not blog worthy never get posted here. These are tried and true and definitely worth your experimentation.

3. Yes, portions are typically big. It just does not make sense to me to sit in front of a cupful of food and try and call that a meal. All the meals are plentiful and satisfying. That is a big part of my challenge – – fitting in as much healthful, delicious food as I can for 400 calories.

4. Yes, I have lost weight and continue to do so. It has been about 6 months and my husband has lost 30 pounds and continues to keep it off. His drop was fast and his maintenance has been over a couple months now. He did not exercise a bit during this 6 month period. He eats 2000 calories a day as opposed to my 1600. We basically double up dinner for him. My drop has been slower – a pound or sometimes more a week and so far I have dropped 25 pounds and plan to keep going for another 10 pounds or so before I move to a maintenance plan. And our plan includes a “CHEAT DAY” once a week. We don’t go completely overboard (well, maybe sometimes a little – who can resist KFC hot wings?!?!?!?!?!) but we eat what we like on this day, often eating out for dinner.

I hope you reach your goals ! If I can help in any way, please write. I love to hear from you all 🙂 Stay tuned for lots more recipes and tips. And again, thanks !!!

400 Calories or Less

Tag Archives: 400 calories

Zero Deprivation Diet

Thanks to all the fans !!!