How to Lose Weight by Eating Tacos, Ice Cream, Pancakes, Bacon and More!

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You read the title correctly!!!. You can indulge on ice cream, stuff your face with tacos, binge on pasta like it’s nobody’s business and inhale a big plate of bacon and eggs in the morning and still lose weight. How? Your’re probably thinking “Oh, she is going to mention portion control”, or “only eat these foods once a week” – but nope. What if I said that you could eat these foods everyday and still lose weight? Now, will losing weight be easier if you didn’t eat these foods? Sure, because, well, these aren’t fish and veggie recipes that will get you super lean overnight, BUT if you are one of those people who just cannot give up some of your most favorite foods, then these tips will change your life. This post just may be the start of your weight loss journey – one that you can actually stick to.

So, all of the following recipes/ideas are all things that I have discovered over the past year and a half, which is when I decided to ditch greasy, fattening, and sugary food for good. I used to love Taco Bell, pasta smothered in cheese and bacon (duh). I still do love these things, but I love them in the new and healthier ways that I now prepare them. I have become so used to eating my favorite foods in these new ways, that now, even the thought of Taco Bell, greasy bacon, potato chips, and cheeseburgers make me cringe. These alternative ways to eat ‘unhealthy’ can look a little intimidating at first, and perhaps a little weird, but stick with me here. Give these ideas a chance, and if you don’t like them, you can experiment by adding/taking away ingredients that you prefer/not prefer. Some of the recipes work in an oddly psychological way that makes you believe you are having that cheat meal that the devil on your shoulder made you dig into – but you’re not. 🙂

So, don’t be intimidated or fearful, but be super excited to try these ideas because they are all things that I prepare and eat, right from my kitchen. It is great being in control of the calories and ingredients, and having the ability to customize, experiment and change it up every once in a while, because let’s face it, those lean cuisines, 100 calorie packs, and cold salads don’t always cut it. Alright, I will shut my pie hole up now and share my little secrets with you.

1. Ice Cream

Yes, my dearies, you can eat ice cream EVERY DAY if you want and still lose and/or maintain your weight. No, you can’t eat Ben & Jerry’s but if you really want these ideas to work, try the following alternatives.

Halo Top Ice Cream (With Cones if Desired)

I have written about the amazing ‘Halo Top’ ice creams on my blog before, but I have never shared the ways I eat them with other things to make them even more enjoyable. Here are the ways I have discovered. If you aren’t familiar with ‘Halo Top’, refer back to my original post on the low calorie ice cream, here.

Okay, so these are my favorite ways to eat ‘Halo Top’ ice cream. I am so confident that you will like these combinations! Prepare to have your mind BLOWN people.

• Strawberry Flavored Halo Top + Sugar Free JELL-O Chocolate Pudding + Ice Cream Cones – Okay, so this is obviously super simple to make! You plain ice cream cones (the ones that are 15-30 calories) and you fill them up by adding a spoonful of each until the cone is full. The result? I swear, it may not sound like it, but it tastes like chocolate-covered-strawberry ice cream, with the pudding giving it a “hot fudge” vibe because of the texture. You can also use the cherry flavored for a chocolate-covered-cherry flavor. You’re probably wondering about the calories, of course, so for this one in particular, here are the numbers:

Halo Top Strawberry Ice Cream: 280 Calories (for the entire pint)

1 Cup of Jell-O Sugar-Free Chocolate Pudding: 60 calories.

1 Ice Cream Cone: 15-30 calories, depending on the size you buy.

Total Calories for 1 Ice Cream Cone with all ingredients: Around 80-100 Calories per Cone

Alternative flavor/ingredient combinations:

Vanilla Halo Top + ‘Light and Fit’ Strawberry Cheesecake Greek Yogurt + Ice Cream Cone (Fat Free Whipped Cream on top if desired) Calories per cone: 80-120 calories

Chocolate Halo Top Ice Cream + Sugar Free Jell-O Chocolate Pudding + Ice Cream Cone/Bowl. Calories per cone: 80-100 calories.

Vanilla Yogurt + Grapes + Ice Cream Cone . Calories per cone: 60-100 (If you use a low calorie yogurt like ‘Light and Fit“

The possibilities are endless. I have done so many combinations, it would be impossible for me to list them all!

2. Tacos/Taco Salad

This one is the only one you cared about, right? I don’t blame you! I used to think tacos were OFF LIMITS always, so I never ate them. Now, I have them at least once a week!

Here is what you’d need (give or take) Also, this is obviously much healthier if you make it into a taco salad, but it is still much better for you than real tacos. If you can afford the calories, add cheese!

– Ilb of Vegetarian Meat Crumbles For example: (Morning Star, or Gardein

– Shredded Lettuce

– Small Can of Corn

– Mini Tortilla Strips

– Salt and Pepper

– Taco Sauce

– Taco Seasoning

– Taco Shells or 35 calorie bread if you like soft tacos.

3. Eggs and Bacon

This one is simple. Egg Whites + Turkey Bacon. – Give it a chance! Cook the egg whites scrambled and well-done! And if you’re awesome, add a little ketchup. 🙂

4. Italian Dinner or Chinese Dinner

Italian Dinner

What you need: 

– Riced Cauliflower (This brand is my favorite: Green Giant) (I chose this as the mixer because the entire bag is 100 calories!)

– Meat-Flavored Sauce

– An Italian Lean Cuisine of your choice. (For example, lasagna)

–  Salt & Pepper

Optional: Add a small can of corn. (I can’t help it, I love corn!)

1. Prepare the riced cauliflower as directed on the package, then prepare the lean cuisine as directed

2. Mix together the cauliflower rice, lean cuisine, and meat flavored sauce in a large bowl (Plus any extra ingredients, such as corn)

3. Put bowl back in the microwave for about a minute, just to warm up the sauce if you haven’t already. Plus, this dish is most tasty when hot.

4. Add Salt & Pepper to your liking.

Optional but highly recommended: Add cheese – a little mozzarella melted on top, or shaken Parmesan cheese.

Here are some alternative ways to use cauliflower rice to create other dishes you may crave:

Chinese Dinner:

1. Substitute the Italian lean cuisine for the  Orange Chicken Lean Cuisine and prepare as directed.

2. Prepare the cauliflower rice as directed

3. Combine the rice, lean cuisine, and add your own store-bought, orange sauce or sweet and sour sauce, (The lean cuisine wont distribute throughout the rice enough)

4. Microwave an additional 30-60 seconds to warm sauce.

5. Add wonton strips on top for crunch and texture.

Again, add any ingredients you want, like…yes, I will say it….CORN. (Only if you’re weird like me)

5.  Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches

Peanut Butter Jelly Time doesn’t have to be ‘Make your belly jelly” time:

– Powered Peanut Butter

– Sugar Free Jelly

– 35 Calorie Bread

7. Chips and Dip

There isn’t a close alternative to potato chips, but psychologically you will believe that you’re enjoying chips and dip.

– Rice Crisps (Sour Cream and Onion) + Light Sour Cream and Onion Dip

8. Hamburgers

You might have guessed already, but yes, the hamburgers would be veggie burgers. Morning Star makes “Grillers Original” patties that are delicious and only 110 calories each.

So, here is what I do when I want a burger:

– Grillers Original Morning Star Burgers

– 35 Calorie Bread

– Mustard, Light Mayo, or another low-calorie condiment of your choice.

– Mini Tortilla Chips, to give the burger some crunch.

Tip: Toast the bread. – Delicious!

9. Hot Dogs

Another super easy one:

– Turkey Dogs (Try to find the ones that are 35 calories a link)

– 35 Calorie Bread

– Mustard, and other healthy toppings you like.

That is an hot dog for under 100 calories! (If you eat it plain, with mustard)

Want a chili dog? Add this yummy brand of turkey chili: Hormel

10. Chocolate Covered Strawberries

This is one of my FAVORITE foods EVER. Now, nothing compares to Sherri’s Berries, or even homemade chocolate covered strawberries, but this will kick the craving:

– Dip Strawberries in Sugar Free Chocolate Jell-O Pudding

Use any fruit you want, but I am telling you, this will change your life! YUM!

11. YUMMY SOGGY PANCAKES

This one will change your life!!!!!!!!! Ths is all you need:

– 35 Calorie Bread

– Sugar Free Maple Syrup

– Spray Butter

All you do, is literally just toast the bread lightly, spray them with butter, and drench them in the sugar-free syrup.

It ain’t a pancake, but boy will it KICK away any pancake craving AND not ruin your diet.

Other easy snack ideas: (Will update periodically) 

• Unsweetened Applesauce mixed with grapes (Optional: add cinnamon)
• Peatoes!!! These are actually an amazing alternative to Cheetoes!!!
• Sugar-Free Jell-O topped with fat free whipped cream

If you have any ideas to add to the lst, please leave them in the comments below!!! if you have any questions about any of the ideas above, feel free to contact me, using the contact form, social media, or in the comments!