JOY BAUER’S 5 PICKS-TO-SKIP…

2% Milk
…Calorically speaking, the difference between whole and 2% milk isn’t all that impressive: 150 calories for a cup of whole milk vs. 120 for a cup of 2%. Skim milk, on the other hand, has the same protein and calcium content as whole and 2%, but weighs in at 80 fat-free calories per cup…

Whole Wheat Bagels
While it’s true that whole grains, and products made from whole grains, are much healthier than their refined flour counterparts, some whole grain foods are not worth the calories. Take bagels, for instance. A big, New York-style whole wheat bagel has just as many calories (350 or more) as one made with white flour. Definitely stick with whole grains when it comes to bread products, but instead of your Sunday morning bagel and lox ritual, try a toasted whole grain English muffin (130 calories) and lox instead. You’ll save at least 200 calories, and who doesn’t love all those nooks and crannies?!  (sorry to interrupt here, but whole grain and whole wheat are not necessarily the same thing. How about an organic whole grain bagel from TJ’s? I’m in! And an english muffin is NO where near as satisfying as a bagel. Everything in moderation…)

Chicken Caesar Salad
…McDonald’s Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken contains 410 calories and 24 grams of fat, while their Quarter Pounder has the same number of calories, and even less fat. And that’s nothing compared to the classic Chicken Caesar salad recipes you’ll find at local restaurants and chains, which contain approximately 1,100 calories and 96 grams of fat. The culprits, of course, are the creamy Caesar dressing and oil-soaked croutons. Nearly half the calories in McDonald’s salad comes from the dressing…The calories in a classic Chicken Caesar almost anywhere can be nearly slashed in half if you lose the croutons and substitute a teaspoon of olive oil (two dashes) and unlimited vinegar for the dressing.  Can’t live without the Caesar dressing? Request it on the side and go easy! ( dip a fork in it!)

Granola
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(really? who doesn’t know this already?! choose wisely. The article recommends halving it up with some bran flakes or another lighter cereal option. BTW, who eats cereal for breakfast anymore? If I’m eating granola, it’s gonna be by the handful and at that point, I ain’t calorie counting…)

Fruit Smoothies
…Jamba Juice’s original size Peanut Butter Moo’d® smoothie contains an astounding 840 calories. That’s 160 calories more than a medium chocolate shake at Burger King! (I saw this on the menu this weekend…yum! but really? would you choose this if you wanted a healthy fruit smoothie?! hellz no! where’s the fruit?) You can still enjoy smoothies, just order smart or make your own. “Jamba Light” options contain 150-160 calories per 16-ounce serving, and the same size “All Fruit” selections are 200-220 calories…