Healthy Eating

By Malia Frey, About.com Guide

Eating right is the first step toward long-term successful weight loss. From understanding basic nutrition principles and counting calories, to making healthful restaurant choices, the basics are covered here.

Counting Calories
Low Calorie Recipes
Better Breakfasts
Smart Snacking

Smart Choices: Grocery Shopping
Smart Choices: Ethnic Dining
Smart Choices: Fast Food
Healthier Cooking

Counting Calories

Calorie-counting is the "math" behind long-term, successful weight loss. By understanding your body's caloric needs and how to track calories in the food you consume, you truly can learn how to eat almost anything you want and still lose weight.

Low Calorie Recipes

Cooking at home is an ideal way to control calories -- you're in charge of exactly what goes into each dish, how much of any higher-calorie ingredient is used and how large your portions are. These recipe selections from the About.com Guide to low calorie cooking are a great place to start. Dishes include chicken parmesan, Chinese stir fry and desserts. Even if you are new to cooking, you will enjoy learning to prepare these delicious low calorie recipes.

Better Breakfasts

It's the most important meal of the day, so put breakfast on the top of your to-do list starting tomorrow morning.

Smart Snacking

Incorporating healthy snacks into your day can help curb your appetite and keep your metabolism going strong. Here's how to make the best choices.

Smart Choices: Grocery Shopping

Learn how to read food labels, decode label claims, and make the best choices for healthy foods at the grocery store.

Smart Choices: Ethnic Dining

Learn how to make better choices at your favorite ethnic eateries with Quick Guides that list the best and worst dishes from a variety of cuisines.

Smart Choices: Fast Food

Learn how to make better choices at fast food and food court eateries.

Healthier Cooking

With a few simple changes you can cut the fat and calories in many of your favorite meals and desserts.

Weight Loss