Tips for Buying & Preparing Food
Tips for Buying Frozen Foods
Many prepared and frozen foods are high in saturated fat and cholesterol. Look for frozen food packages that say, "Light, Lean, Reduced calorie, Healthy or Diet." These versions will be lower in saturated fat, cholesterol, calories and/or sodium than the regular versions.
Tips for Buying Prepared Foods
When choosing prepared foods, choose dishes made without high-fat mayonnaise and oil. Avoid high saturated fat meats, dressing and other spreads, and dishes with creams and other sauces. Fruit salad is usually available and is always a great choice.
Tips for Eating Out
Order broiled, baked, or poached foods with sauces on the side.
Ask how a dish is prepared. Knowing all the ingredients lets you control where you get your saturated fat.
Look for restaurants that have low-fat options on the menu. With the growing interest in healthy eating, restaurants from fancy French to fast food are making low-fat choices available.
Beware of the traditional restaurant "dieter's plate" (ground beef patty, cottage cheese, and a peach half). A "diet" like this will put you on a saturated fat overload.
Ask for substitutions, even if the menu says "no substitutes." Most restaurants will bring you skim milk instead of cream for coffee, unbuttered toast, salad instead of french fries, etc.
Avoid entrees with extra sauces, cheeses and gravies, and high-fat preparations such as frying.
