Eat Right: Make Smarter Choices about Healthy Eating

By Jennifer R. Scott, About.com Guide to Weight Loss

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.

1. Counting Calories
2. Smart Snacking
3. Smart Choices: Grocery Shopping
4. Smart Choices: Ethnic Dining

5. Smart Choices: Fast Food
6. Healthier Cooking
7. Nutrition Basics

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.

• What is a Calorie?
• Why Calories Count
• How Calories Affect Weight Loss
• Calculate Your Caloric Needs
• Count Calories in Five Easy Steps

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.

• 25-100 Calorie Snacks
• 100 Calorie or Less Snacks
• 200 Calorie or Less Snacks
• Healthy Snacking on the Go

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.

• Plan for Grocery Shopping
• Get Smart at the Supermarket
• Best Choices at the Meat Counter
• Best Choices from the Ice Cream Aisle
• Compare Labels and Make Smart Switches

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.

• Mexican Restaurants Quick Guide
• Greek Restaurants Quick Guide
• Chinese Restaurants Quick Guide
• Indian Restaurants Quick Guide
• Italian Restaurants Quick Guide

Smart Choices: Fast Food

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

• 35 Smart Fast Food Choices
• More Top Choices at Popular Fast Food Chains
• Smart Food Court Snacks
• Smart Food Court Meals

Healthier Cooking

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

• Healthier Baking Substitutions
• Ways to Cook for Weight Loss
• Add Flavor without Fat

Nutrition Basics

Learn some of the basic principles of good nutrition.

• Understand the New Food Pyramid
• Understand Food Labels
• Understanding Grains
• Understanding Carbohydrates
• Facts About Fat