Lighten Up!

Make a few easy changes for healthy, tasty meals your family will love.

• Farmers’ markets are bursting with delicious fruits and vegetables. For the healthiest selection, choose a rainbow of colors...yellow peppers, red strawberries, orange sweet potatoes, purple cabbage, bright green zucchini. You’ll be adding eye appeal too!

• Look for leaner cuts of beef, chicken and pork, and trim off visible fat before cooking.

• Choose stronger flavored versions of favorite ingredients, such as extra-sharp Cheddar cheese and Italian-seasoned diced tomatoes. You’ll be adding flavor without adding calories.

• Olive oil and canola oil are higher in heart-healthy fats than other vegetable oils. When sautéing or pan-frying, cut calories by spraying the pan with non-stick vegetable spray instead of cooking in oil.

• Whole-grain pastas and flour add fiber to your diet...oats, brown rice and barley are delicious choices too. Sprinkle wheat germ or flax seed into baked goods for extra fiber and a nutty taste.

• Substitute margarine for butter, if you like. While “light” butters and margarines aren’t meant for baking, it’s easy to reduce fat in baked treats...just replace the oil in a recipe with an equal amount of applesauce.