With all the healthy eating books on the market, it is extremely difficult to decide which one to buy and which diet to follow. The best alternative I have found is to be conscious of what we are eating. For example, actually think about the type and amount of food you ingest at each meal.

Breakfast bran cereal with fruit is a great way to start the day, or half a grapefruit and dry toast with jam, or a bowl of mixed fruit and cheese with half a bagel. There are so many variations of a healthy breakfast that it just takes a little thought on our part to come up with alternatives. The same is true for lunch. I have stopped using mayonnaise on my sandwiches and instead use olive oil with a sprinkle of garlic powder for added zest. Potato chips and similar snacks have no food value and will only add unwanted pounds.

Try adding fruit such as apple or orange slices to salads of lettuce, Arigula and spinach with possibly some almonds, which are very nutritious, as well as the usual tomatoes, onion, cucumber, peppers, asparagus and other vegetables. For the evening meal, there are many healthy fish alternatives to red meat, such as tilapia, trout, cod, plaice and flounder. Salmon and tuna are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, but should be eaten in moderation due to their high levels of mercury. Remember to drink lots of water as this hydrates not only the inner body, but your skin also. We are so fortunate in Southwest Florida to have so much warm weather in which to get and about. Outdoor activites such as swimming, tennis, walking, jogging, golf and bicycling are all great ways to stay in shape and enjoy the wonderful temperatures at the same time.

Pork, chicken, turkey and lamb are also good alternatives to beef. Instead of using ground beef for my Shepherd’s Pie and meat loaf, I use ground turkey. As a subscriber to Bon Appetit and Gourmet cooking magazines, I can assure you that mouth-watering recipes abound for health eating and can also be found at either of their online web sites.

Please contact me at c1943x@comcast.net if you have specific questions.

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