Tips For Cutting Sandwich Calories

Face it, going out to eat while dieting is never an easy task. So, what should you do if you can't really take your lunch to work and you have to order out each day? Fortunately, you can still buy your lunch and stick to your diet. You just need to know how to order. Just use these tips to cut the calories when you're ordering sandwiches from your favorite local sandwich shop.

Load Up on Veggies

Veggies make great sandwich toppers, and they won't add a lot of extra calories to your meal. You can add veggies such as spinach, lettuce, cucumbers, tomato, and even zucchini slices to a ham or turkey sandwich to add flavor and make it more filling. Or, you can skip the meat altogether and opt for a veggie sandwich. Many sandwich shops make sandwiches to order, so it shouldn't be difficult to find a local shop that will let you pile veggies onto your sandwich.

Skip the High-Calorie Spread

If you're trying to order a healthy sandwich, adding high-calorie condiments should be avoided at all costs. Topping your sandwich with a tablespoon of full-calorie, full-fat mayonnaise adds an additional 57 calories and almost five grams of fat. Instead, choose lighter sandwich spreads, such as mustard, low-fat salad dressings, hummus, or avocado. All of these options add flavor to your sandwich and keep it moist without adding a lot of unwanted calories.

Order a Smaller Sandwich

Sandwiches aren't typically the only thing that sandwich shops have on the menu. So, instead of ordering a large, calorie-filled sandwich, opt for a smaller version. Then, order a small side salad or a side dish of fruit so that you have a meal that's healthy and filling.

Skip the Cheese

Cheese, especially if it's layered on, can add quite a bit of calories to your sandwich. If possible, skip the cheese completely. If you can't imagine ordering your sandwich without cheese, opt for a cheese that has a lower fat content, such as Swiss cheese, instead of a high-fat cheese such as a cheddar.

Avoid White Bread

White bread is one of the worst sandwich bases available. It's made with processed flour and preservatives, so it offers you little nutritional value. Whole-grain breads and sandwich wraps are a lot healthier. If you aren't a fan of whole-grain breads or sandwich wraps, consider skipping the bread completely and having the sandwich contents wrapped in lettuce.

You don't have to stop eating lunch at your favorite sandwich shop just to stick to your diet. Simply alter your order so you're eating a healthy sandwich instead.