So, what does 100 calories really look like?

Whew.. I'm thinking it is time for a little break from the sweet recipes for awhile, don't you? While S'more Cakes In A Jar and Cinnamon Roll Waffles are a delight to the taste buds, it is always good to find that perfect balance between eating healthfully and letting yourself indulge. My philosophy is that if you are eating nutritious foods the majority of the time, you can allow yourself to eat dessert. Because seriously, how could you live without dessert?!

Most people are well aware that it is much more beneficial to snack on fruits & veggies than to snack on candy. Plant foods contain fiber and other nutients that help you to feel satisfied, full of energy, and they lend you the ability to consume more for less calories in comparison to highly processed items you'd find in the vending machine. But just how much bang can you get for your buck by consuming plant-based foods?


What does 100 calories really look like?
(all photos via: Fitsugar.com)

30 asparagus = 99 calories, per 30 spears asparagus contains 100 milligrams of calcium
(can you imagine how bad your pee would stink if you ate that many though?!...)

1+3/4 cups apples slices = 99 calories, adding 4.6 grams of fiber

1 medium banana = 105 calories, and who could forget the 422 milligrams of potassium

10 cups... 10 TIGHTLY PACKED cups of romain lettuce = 100 calories!

1+1/4 cups blueberries = 103 calories, plus 4.4 grams of fiber

18 medium stalks of celery = 101 calories, nibbling on this many would also mean consuming 1,872 milligrams of potassium & 288 milligrams of calcium.

60 Green Beans = 102 calories, plus you'd get 6 grams of protein and 11.2 grams of fiber

2 kiwis = 93 calories, & 1.7 grams of protein (i know, i'm surprised too)

1 medium pear = 98 calories, plus 5.1 grams of fiber

You'd have to munch on 70 radishes = just 101 calories! Radishes are a good source of potassium, if you ate this many you'd gain 1,468 milligrams! (that's a lot, a good lot)

10 cups of baby spinach = 101 calories! That massive quantity also packs 10 grams of fiber and 15 grams of protein. Though when spinach is cooked, it shrinks drastically. Making it easier to consume more of that leafy green goodness!

2 cups of sliced strawberries = 105 calories, and more than 500 milligrams of potassium (that's more than a banana!)

3 zucchini's weigh in at just 94 calories. Zucchini is another great source of potassium- 1,541 milligrams per 100 calories

3 large juicy tomatoes = 98 calories, they also pack 6.6 grams of fiber

2+1/4 cups watermelon = 103 calories, plus 2.1 grams of protein! (again, I too am shocked)

So go ahead and give your body the things it really needs/wants! Healthy choices now make way for more benefits down the road.