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Overcome Any Obstacle to Eating Right

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Problem #1: "Healthy foods are too pricey."






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Problem #3: "I have no idea what's the right amount to be eating."

Follow the rule of palm. You've probably heard that a standard serving of meat is 3 ounces, or the size of a deck of cards. But this isn't exactly accurate, since everyone in your family has different appetites and calorie needs. Instead, eat a serving of meat or grain that's the size of each person's palm, suggests Erin Palinski, R.D., author of Belly Fat Diet for Dummies.

Set the mood. Pretend you're eating in your favorite fancy restaurant by dimming the lights and playing relaxing music. According to a recent Cornell University study, that strategy helped diners eat 133 fewer calories—enough to help you lose 14 pounds in a year.

Size things up. You might be surprised to learn what a cup of cereal, a tablespoon of oil or an ounce of nuts actually looks like. "It's a common mistake to think you're pouring a tablespoon of olive oil into the pan when really it's a quarter cup—that's a difference of 360 calories!" says Somer. Measure every time you cook for a week and you'll be able to eyeball it much better.

Problem #4: "Water is my family's last-choice beverage."

Make H2O more interesting. Try this trick from Rachel Beller, R.D., nutritionist on The Biggest Loser: Add mint leaves, frozen blueberries, pomegranate seeds, lemon wedges or cucumber slices to plain water. Or create a mocktail with sparkling water, a splash of juice (cranberry, grape or pomegranate) and a lime wedge.

Put it in plain sight. Fill a pitcher with water and store it front and center in the fridge. Easy access makes it more likely that kids will drink up. Staying hydrated with cold water boosts metabolism. Plus, research shows children gain less weight if they replace just one soda a day with a calorie-free beverage.

Tote it. Moms should aim for 72 ounces of water daily to help maintain energy, since dehydration can lead to fatigue. That may seem like a tall order, but if you sip throughout the day, you'll easily reach your quota. Encourage the habit by keeping one water bottle on your desk, another on the counter at home and a third in your car. "It's a constant visual reminder," says Palinski.

Smart Food Swaps

Simple switches to go from guilty to good-for-you pleasure in no time:

Replace this: Low-fat sour cream

With: Low-fat Greek yogurt

Because: Greek yogurt cuts 40% of the calories and 2 grams of fat per 2-tablespoon serving. Try it in dips and dressings.

Replace this: Bread crumbs in your homemade meatballs or sprinkled on a casserole

With: Wheat germ

Because: Wheat germ is a superior source of brain-sharpening B vitamins and vitamin E. Substitute in a one-to-one ratio or use a half-and-half mixture, suggests Elizabeth Somer, R.D.

Replace this: Frozen french fries

With: Roasted sweet potatoes and parsnips

Because: Oven-roasted fries let you control the fat, calories and sodium. Sweet taters and parsnips offer more calcium and fiber than white potato fries.

Replace this: Heavy cream in your favorite sauce

With: Nonfat evaporated milk

Because: "You won't miss the calories," says Candice Kumai, author of Cook Yourself Sexy, and it looks and tastes similar. Add in a one-to-one ratio.

Replace this: Ground beef in tacos

With: Tofu crumbles, soy crumbles, ground turkey or ground chicken

Because: Tofu, for example, has one-third the calories of ground beef and almost no saturated fat. Buy firm tofu, crumble with a fork and cook with taco seasoning, says natural foods chef Peter Berley, author of The Flexitarian Table.

Replace this: Boiling rice in water

With: Boiling rice in V8 juice

Because: This substitution sneaks in lycopene, a cancer-protective antioxidant found in tomatoes. Cook 1 cup rice in 2 cups low-sodium V8.

How Healthy Are Your Family Dinners?

1. Which best describes the color of the food on your family's plate?

a) Varying shades of beige (chicken and rice)

b) Beige (chicken and rice), and a bit of green (a few broccoli florets)

c) Red, green and yellow (vegetable medley) with some beige (chicken)

Best answer: C. A rainbow of color means everyone is getting lots of produce. Plus, introducing variety can boost veggie intake by more than half a serving, according to new Penn State research.

2. What do your kids snack on before dinner?

a) Sliced red peppers and cucumbers with hummus

b) Crackers and chips

c) Nothing—it'll ruin their appetite

Best answer: A. You eat 47% more of the food that you serve yourself first at a meal, finds Cornell University. Give kids the chance to munch on crudités before dinner to sneak in an extra serving of veggies.

3. How many times a week do you serve fish?

a) Never—my kids won't eat it

b) Twice a week

c) A few times per month

Best answer: B. Skipping fish may mean your kids are deficient in an omega-3 fatty acid called DHA, a nutrient that can improve reading scores, says a recent study. If they absolutely won't eat fish, try foods fortified with DHA, like soy milk, cow's milk or eggs.

4. How often do you cook with spices?

a) Not much because my kids prefer plain foods

b) Only if a recipe calls for a specific spice

c) I try to sprinkle them on everything

Best answer: C. Spices can easily add nutrition, so use them frequently. Add turmeric, an anti-inflammatory, to rice or jarred marinara sauce. Red pepper flakes (for the adults) have been shown to boost metabolism; sprinkle in soups, stews and chili. Blood-sugar-regulating cinnamon is great on popcorn, on oatmeal or in smoothies.

5. What's a good source of protein besides meat?

a) Tofu

b) Some vegetables

c) Beans and legumes

Best answer: All the above. Children ages 9 to 18 need between 34 and 52 grams of protein daily. Look beyond chicken nuggets and burgers with a serving of tofu (9 grams of protein), a cup of asparagus (3 grams), a cup of cubed butternut squash (2 grams) or a half cup of lentils (9 grams).

Originally published in the February 2013 issue of Family Circle magazine.


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