Living a healthy and balanced life isn’t always easy (don’t we know it), but you can’t really go wrong cooking fresh meat and veg, right? 

Yes and no. Turns out it all comes down to the portion sizes of your meal. Paula Norris, a certified nutritionist and the founder of the lifestyle blog mintfit.com.au, has created a super-cool Instagram comparing one dish with two recipes, saving you a tonne of cals by making small quantity sizes.

Can you spot the difference?

Stir Fry 

Beef stir fry is super easy to make and thanks to these tips, diet friendly! So get cookin’.

Left:

50g peppers 
20g zucchini
2 stalks broccolini
1 large mushroom
15g beans
1/2 small onion
200g beef (when cooked)
2tsp oil
1Tbsp sweet chilli sauce
2tsp oyster sauce
2tsp lime juice
1 cup cooked rice

Right:

100g peppers
50g zucchini 
3 stalks broccolini
1 large mushroom
40g beans
1/2 small onion
100g beef (when cooked)
Spray oil
1tsp Sriracha
3tsp oyster sauce
2tsp lime juice
1/2 cup cooked rice

Burrito Bowl

No day at uni is complete with a lil’ burrito bowl. They might look healthy, but they can be quite calorific when shop bought. Try making your own bowls at home – not only will you save half the calories, but you’ll also produce less plastic. It’s a win-win.

Left:

3/4 cup cooked brown rice
1/2 large tomato
1/2 avocado – mashed
1/4 cup black beans
1/2 cob corn
1 cup lettuce
1/8 small red onion
1 tbsp Mayo
180g chicken – cooked in pan with cumin and piri piri/chipotle spices
2tsp oil (for cooking chicken)
Parsley
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Right:

1/4 cup cooked brown rice
1/2 large tomato
1/4 avocado – mashed
1/2 cup black beans
1/2 cob corn
1 cup lettuce
1/8 small red onion
1/3 zucchini
100g chicken – dry grilled with Cumin & Piri Piri/Chipotle spices
Dressing of 1 tsp olive oil, 2 tsp lime juice, 1/2 tsp honey
Parsley

Breakfasts

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so start yours right with a lean bowl of yoghurt. Take it easy on the muesli and go wild on fruits for a delish and diet-friendly alternative.

Left:

3/4 cup muesli
10 almonds
150g full fat regular yoghurt
2 large strawberries
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Right:

1/2 cup muesli
5 almonds
150g low fat, protein rich yoghurt
4 large strawberries

Salad 

Meal preppin’ in the evening for the next day can help you save a lot of time and stick to the healthy food routine.

Left:

1 cup cooked cous cous
1/3 cup roasted zucchini
1/4 cup roasted carrot
1/4 cup roasted pepper
1/2 cup baby spinach
2tsp olive oil
2tsp lemon juice
Mint
Red onion
130g lamb
2tsp tzatziki
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

⠀⠀⠀⠀
Right:

1/2 cup cooked cous cous
3/4 cup roasted zucchini
1/2 cup roasted carrot
1/4 cup roasted pepper
1 cup baby spinach
1tsp olive oil
2tsp lemon juice
Mint
Red onion
80g lamb
2tsp tzatziki ⠀

Tacos 

Who doesn’t love indulging in crispy, hot tacos, dripping in cheese and salsa? *mmmhhmmm*. Now with this hack it doesn’t have to be a ‘guilty’ pleasure anymore. From now on I declare it’s Taco Tuesday every day.

Left:

2tsp oil
1/4 brown onion
180g regular beef mince
1/4 sachet taco seasoning
50g avocado
3 taco shells
1 lettuce leaf
1/2 tomato
1/4 cob corn
25g cheddar cheese
3tsp salsa
Fresh coriander
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Right:

1/4 brown onion
100g extra lean beef mince
1/4 sachet taco seasoning
25g avocado
1/2 medium zucchini
1/2 carrot
1 taco shell
2 lettuce leaf cups
1/2 tomato
1/4 cob corn
15g cheddar cheese
3tsp salsa
Fresh coriander

MIND. BLOWN. Who knew that such small changes could make such a huge difference when it comes calorie count? We’re here for it, but please remember that all of these dishes are completely healthy, even if their calorie count might be higher.

Happy eating.