Eat Healthier in 2010!

New Year’s Eve means getting together with family and friends to share wishes for happiness, good health and prosperity in the upcoming year. It is also a time to reflect on the past and, here we go again, make resolutions for the future.

Some of the most popular resolutions are to lose weight, pay off debt, save money, get a better job, get in shape, eat better (no more eggnog until next year), go back to school, quit drinking or smoking, reduce stress and spend more time with family. Some resolutions seem to repeat themselves year after year.

If eating better/healthier is on your resolution list, then here are some healthy tips that may help jump-start your New Year and new you.

Eat a heart-healthy diet that is delicious and varied and rich in vegetables and fruits, whole grains, high-fiber foods, lean meats and poultry, fish at least twice a week, legumes and fat-free or 1 percent fat dairy products.

Cut back on food that contains a lot of fat, salt and sugar. Foods like lettuce, spinach, zucchini and melons contain a high percentage of water. More water means fewer calories for the same weight of food. Buy low- or reduced-sodium food items such as chicken broth, soy sauce and canned vegetables. Rinse canned veggies and beans before using. Cut added salt in half or leave it out completely in your meals. Instead of salt, use a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice or a splash of vinegar.

Eat more colorful fruits and dark colored vegetables. Add a variety of whole grains, such as whole wheat bread, brown rice and oats to your diet. Too often entire meals are planned around the meat entrée you are serving. Instead, choose one or two vegetables (or fruits) as the stars and plan a creative presentation around them.

Add a small portion of a starch, such as rice or potatoes, and red meat, chicken or fish to complete the meal.Read labels for a healthy heart. Make reading food labels a habit. This will help you choose foods more wisely.  Healthy eating is a lifestyle, not a diet. It means making changes you can live with and can enjoy for the rest of your life.

Eating healthy does not have to take a lot of time. You can prepare a healthy meal just as quickly as an unhealthy one. It is just a matter of planning, having the right foods on hand, and learning how to cook quick, healthy meals.

Source: http://www.sunherald.com/food/story/1845219.html