Nutrition Tips For Healthier Living

For those of us trying to live a healthier lifestyle, a great place to start is in the kitchen. Our Naturally Savvy Experts have shared some simple and practical tips to help you make better food choices.

Cara Smusiak is Naturally Savvy's Environmentally-Friendly "Green" Expert

• Go organic whenever you can. While you might think the price differential is too high, many products are just pennies more, and the nutritional value of the foods are much higher--plus you won't be poisoning your body with pesticide, insecticide and herbicide residues. Be sure to do a price comparison on fruits and veggies each time you shop to catch sales on organics.

• Stock up on dried beans, such as chick peas, kidney beans, black beans and Barlotti beans. Canned beans are often high in sodium and there is growing concern over bisphenol-A (BPA) in the lining of tin cans. Dried beans are the healthier alternative, and they're a protein-rich addition to meals. Make your own hummus, toss them in salads (or make a bean salad), and add them to hearty soups. Store beans in glass jars or containers so you don't forget you have them, and you'll always know when you need to buy more!

• TIP: Think dried beans are too much hassle? They're actually very user-friendly. Toss beans in a bowl of water overnight to rehydrate them or--if you forget, as I tend to--throw the beans in a pot of boiling water for two minutes, then cover and remove from heat and let sit for two hours.

Lilian Presti, Naturally Savvy’s Pregnancy and Pediatric Nutritionist

• Make a batch of salad dressing at the beginning of the week and store it in the fridge for easy access.

• Make extra portions of every meal and freeze the leftovers. This can help you to cook 50% less often.

• Cut up a variety of veggies such as carrots and celery and store them in water in a glass container in the fridge for quick and easy snacking.

Lisa Tsakos is Naturally Savvy's very own Registered Nutritionist

• Don’t deprive! You’ll only want it more. Split dessert with someone or eat only a few bites.

• Rub dried herbs between your palms to enhance the flavor before adding to recipes.

• Roasted garlic makes an excellent spread and adds flavor to salads, soups or sauces. Slice off the top and bake an unpeeled garlic head at 350ºF/180ºC for 20 minutes (until soft).

• Use salsa to spice up sauces. Spicy foods increase the metabolic rate!

• Watch out for unnecessary use of oils, even healthy ones. Sauté with water or use an oil spray bottle to save excess calories from fat.

• Experiment with substituting new ingredients in one or more of your favorite recipes.

• Try one vegetable and one fruit that you’ve never before eaten.

To read Part 2 of Nutrition Tips For Healthier Living, Click Here.