Lasagna is a classic comfort food, mixing the gooey texture of cheese with tender pasta and tangy tomato sauce. Depending on the ingredients you use, however, this dish can either be a diet buster or a sensible meal.
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Large, white-bread rolls contain energy from calories, but are short on nutrients, compared to their whole-grain counterparts. In addition, refined flour in white bread is rapidly digested, causing a spike and crash in blood sugar.
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Lentil soup is hearty and filling, but it won't break the calorie bank if you stick to the suggested serving size. Its satisfying nature is mainly because of the high fiber content in lentils.
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As far as beers go, Tecate is on the lighter side, as it has somewhat fewer calories than the average brew. Drinking too much of any beer, however, can put you on the fast track to weight gain, so consume in moderation to spare your figure.
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A distilled spirit, Ketel One vodka contains significantly fewer calories per serving than most beers or sweet liqueurs. However, a serving of vodka is a single shot of just 1 to 1.5 ounces.
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Like all types of alcohol, vodka provides energy from calories but has no nutritional benefit. This means that it may lead to weight gain while offering none of the essential vitamins or minerals that come from whole foods. For this and other reasons, moderate consumption is key.
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While 7-11's black coffee is a very low-calorie drink, its flavored coffee beverages contain added sugar and fat, making them off-limits if you're watching your waistline. If you can't resist a sweet morning brew, stick with the smallest cup size to avoid diet sabotage.
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Made with ginger root, sugar and carbonated water, ginger beer is typically served as a non-alcoholic beverage similar to ginger ale. Some ginger beers, however, do contain alcohol. Because both alcohol and sugar calories are void of nutrition beyond the caloric energy, consume these drinks in moderation.
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When the sushi craving hits, avocado rolls are a smart choice if you're watching your weight. Lower in calories than most other rolls, these savory treats provide healthy, monounsaturated fat from avocados to help you feel satisfied.
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Made with rum, lime and mint leaves, mojitos are a refreshing choice on hot summer days. However, they usually have added sugar, which translates to a relatively high calorie count. Beware of jumbo-sized mojitos at restaurants and bars, which can destroy your diet in minutes.
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The calorie count of a grilled-cheese sandwich can add up quickly if you use extra cheese or large amounts of butter or oil. However, grilled cheese can fit into a sensible diet if you use just one cheese slice and no more than 1 teaspoon of fat for grilling.
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Rye alcohol may elicit nostalgic images of old Americana, but this unique flavor of whiskey is making a comeback, according to a November 2013 article on the The Wall Street Journal, MarketWatch website. Unlike other whiskeys, rye alcohol must be made with a mash that's at least 51 percent rye grain.
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Pinto beans are rich in fiber and protein, and at just 143 calories per half-cup serving they make a healthy main ingredient for meals. Pair pinto beans with brown rice and steamed or lightly sauteed vegetables, or fold them into soft-shell tacos with low-fat cheese, salsa and shredded cabbage.
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If you're watching your waistline, eating standard Buffalo wings may quickly sabotage your diet goals. This food is typically deep-fried, coated in a buttery sauce and then served with a side of fatty blue cheese or ranch dressing, picking up significant calories with each step.
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While some fad-diet gurus may denounce carbohydrates as the root of all edible evil, the truth is that your body needs these nutrients to function properly. If your diet lacks carbs, you could feel rundown and face a variety of health woes.
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If you're trying to lose weight, broth-based soups like tom yum are an excellent choice. The high water content makes them low in calories, yet they fill up your stomach to help keep you satisfied.
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Once relegated to specialty health-foods stores, kombucha has made its way to grocery chains across America. The fermented beverage is rich in probiotics, or friendly bacteria, and contains far fewer calories than most soft drinks and juices.
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Whether it's made from potatoes, corn or rye, vodka's calorie content depends on the alcohol level rather than the main ingredient. All vodkas are created in much the same way, by fermenting a starch and then distilling the result.
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Although tuna and whole-wheat bread are both relatively low in calories, trouble starts when you add mayonnaise to the mix. Commercially-prepared tuna sandwiches tend to be high in this fatty ingredient, and may also be served on oversized bread for a one-two calorie punch.
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Starting your day with a fruit-and-yogurt smoothie is a healthy way to greet the morning, and your drink can have enough calories for a breakfast accompaniment or a full meal, depending on the ingredients.
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