400 Calorie Breakfast: Banana Nut Parfait w/ Agave Nectar

This is an absolutely delicious breakfast that's also full of good nutrition, including calcium, omega 3s, potassium, and protein. You'll feel like you're eating dessert! In fact, I was so gung ho about chowing down, I got about 2/3 through it before I thought to take a photo. Here's what's inside (it's actually less than 400 cal!):

1/2 cup low fat yogurt (60 calories)
1/4 cup chopped walnuts (185 calories)
1 medium banana, sliced (105 calories)
1/2 tbsp light agave nectar (30 calories)

400 Calorie Dinner: Tuna Steak & Quinoa

This is a delicious meal that is very filling. In fact, I hate half and was feeling satisfied so I set the rest aside. I relaxed for about a half hour then proceeded to do my daily shred. After I came down from my exercise high I ate the rest - it was a perfect post sweat snack!

400 Calorie Dinner: SAVORY SALAD

My dinner tonight was so yummy! And it was less than 400 calories. It may look like "just" a salad, but it left me satisfied and energized. Despite the fairly lite calories, this meal provides 13.3 g protein and a good does of vitamins and omega 3s.

500 Calorie Dinner: SALMON + Cheesy Bread

You know calorie counting can be a real pain when you're just getting started, but after a while - once the comfort of habit sets in - it's a very enlightening process. Paying attention to every morsel you put in your mouth is let about being obsessive and more about be aware. It takes a little time, but you start to really understand food and portions, and you realize why you're under or overweight. And while there's more to life and health than just calories, knowing the energy (and the type of energy) contained in the food you eat will laying the foundation for automatically making good choices.