How I Satisfy My Caramel Cravings in About 150 Calories

Many of you know that I recently had a baby. Throughout my pregnancy I tried not to gain too much weight. I did well as I just gained over 15 pounds. After having my 7 pound baby, I had lost most of that 15 pounds. What I was totally not expecting was gaining after my baby was born.

Although I had great difficulty nursing her (story here) I was able to do so for about 5 months. In a short 3 months I gained another 25 pounds from the intense hunger I experienced while nursing. So total at the beginning of February I weighed 30 pounds more than before getting pregnant! I was really not happy about it at all.

I’ve been working very hard to lose the weight. I dislike ‘fad diet programs’ so instead I’ve been making lifestyle changes. I’ve been adding healthy foods into my diet each day and slowly changing my habits.

In January, I focused on having a salad everyday. In February, my goal was to eat healthy snacks in addition to my daily salad and drink more water. In March, I cut a lot of refined carbs and exercised more. In April, I started trying to eat more organic foods and focusing on portion control. And this past May I’ve focused on getting more sleep and not eating after 7:00 PM. I have lost the 30 pounds I gained with my pregnancy and nursing—plus a few extra! I’m keeping on with this new lifestyle and hope to continue losing.

Eating proper portions and adding healthy foods into my diet has really helped me. That said I still have intense cravings. I love sweet stuff and some salty. I don’t want to deprive myself so much that I slip up and binge, so I allow an occasional treat to get my ‘sweet tooth fix’.

Caramel is one of my most favorite treats. Cake, Swedish Fish, and donuts are close contenders. So naturally, cream filled maple bars or Cup Cakes are one of the best ways for me to satisfy my cravings for something sweet.

I could only find one bakery that carries creme filled maple bars and it is very far away—plus the calorie count is about 400 for each!

So when I was shopping at a local grocery store and I saw these new 160 calorie cream filled Hostess Sea Salt Caramel Cup Cakes, I had to give them a try.

They taste just like a cream filled maple bar with at about 250 less calories!

In 160 calories I can totally get my sugar fix and not feel entirely deprived on my weight loss journey. I just make sure to limit the quantity I eat and I’ve still continued to lose weight. I hope you enjoy them too!