Healthy eating tips and tricks

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Make the switch

Switching from white to whole grains is one of the simplest and yummiest tricks to eating healthy. There are a myriad of whole grain options in the bread and pasta aisles that you can experiment with, not to mention hearty whole grains such as brown rice and quinoa. Making this swap is super-simple: Next time you order Chinese take-out, simply ask for brown rice instead of white. When you head to the deli, order your usual on whole grain bread instead of white.

Ban the bread basket

If you know you'll annihilate an entire basket of bread (or chips and salsa) when it's set in front of you at a restaurant, avoid the temptation. Simply say "no thank you" when the server brings it over. If you need something to nosh on before your entrée arrives, order a small veggie plate or ask for some mixed fruit. You'll find most restaurants that are worth going to will happily oblige your special requests.

Avoid the shine

Yes, ladies, we love to shine on a night out, but if your veggies or pasta are shiny, it's likely due to an excess of butter, oil or (ack!) both. Before dousing your food in fats like oil or butter, flavor it up with fresh herbs or spices that hardly add any calories or fats.

Check out of the clean plate club

We've been taught not to waste, but you don't have to lick your plate in honor of those starving in other countries (as our parents suggested back when we were kids). Pack it up for later, share your meal with a friend or even grab a doggie bag for Fido. He'll love you for it.

Forget your fear of fats

You don't have to avoid fat all together on your quest to be healthy. Good fats, like monounsaturated fats (found in plant oils, avocados, nuts like almonds, and seeds such as pumpkin and sesame) and polyunsaturated fats (including Omega-3 and Omega-6 found in fish like salmon and herring), are essential for healthy eating.

Live a little

Eating healthy is not a punishment! It shouldn't feel like a chore, so allow yourself little indulgences that will make you feel like eating healthy is a treat. Once in a while, go ahead and order dessert after dinner… and enjoy every bite -- even if you just take a few.

More healthy meal ideas

7 Healthy summer desserts
Nutritious and delicious snack ideas
5 Healthy (but yummy!) family meals