Diet Friendly Foods-- Making Your Menu More Healthy

No matter what your weight condition is, you still need to keep your food choices at portion size and health promoting. Don't fall for those granola bars that seem to be healthy but really pack tons of sugar and corn syrup in every gooey bite. Here's a list of foods that are diet friendly, and promote good health.

Fruits:

Clementines

These miniature oranges (sometimes referred to as Mandarin oranges) are in supermarkets everywhere as we speak. They generally appear in the fall and winter months and disappear towards summer. These little oranges are easy to peel (you won't need a knife), and they are seedless and sweet. They are quite possibly the most perfect citrus. The best part about Clementines is that you can eat two to four a day and get your fruit servings in small, delicious bites. They are low calorie (about 40 calories per fruit), and even freshen your breath after a spice lunch. So, go ahead and drop one in your kids lunches and see how fast they grab one when they come home.

Grapefruits

I know, I know, these aren't the most sweet of fruits, but Grapefruits are packed with heart healthy nutrition. They are large in size, so you might want to cut it in half and share it with someone. The best way to avoid the bitter taste of grapefruit is to eat only the pulp, not the skin. I'm not just talking about the rind that you won't eat anyway, but the skin that lays around each section. Dig out the pulp with a spoon and you'll love the experience. Just be sure not to add sugar to it or you defeat the purpose.

Greens:

This is no mystery as a healthy food, but you have to eat it with zest. Try eating it without dressing this time. If you can't get used to the natural flavors of romaine or baby spinach, than add a little Mrs. Dash to it. Mrs. Dash doesn't contain any salt and adds an array of spices to suit any taste bud. You really can live without Ranch undermining your healthful living.

Snacks:

One of the main places we fail to eat healthily is in our choice of snacks. You don't have to go for sugar and hydrogenation to get something satisfying. Try these quick treats on for size.

String Cheese is a low-calorie cheese that will satisfy your craving for dairy, without using up your fat grams for the day. They come in individually wrapped packages so you aren't as likely to overdose as you would with a block of cheese. You can rub some hot sauce or spicy mustard on them, dip them in some spices or Italian flavored breadcrumbs and oven bake them for about 12 minutes on 400F (they are done when the cheese looks slightly melted).

Yogurt is another way to satisfy your dairy cravings without added fat or calories. Be sure to get the sugar free, non-fat variety, however, or you'll be packing in a lot of calories. Even the low-fat versions are still high in calories. Check the nutrition label before buying them to see if the calorie range is within 150 calories or less, otherwise you might as well eat a scoop of premium ice cream.

Although rice cakes don't exactly make anyone's mouth water, try soy crisps out for size. These little disks of crisp soy are similar in appearance to rice cakes, but healthier. They are low in sodium, pack in nutritious soy, and come in a variety of flavors. You will also find that they are low in calories, but still very filling for a snack. And don't forget to try their sister-soy nuts. Soy nuts are lined with fiber and give a flavored alternative to mixed nuts.