Suggestions for improving your diet
1. Many breakfast cereals contain far too much sugar. If you want your morning bowl of cereal to be more nutritious and less sweet, try combining a small amount of your favourite sweetened cereal with unsweetened high-fibre ingredients such as barley flakes, wheat flakes, rolled oats, chopped walnuts and sliced almonds.
2. Many fruit juices contain even more sugar per serving than soft drinks. Make a habit of diluting your juice with chilled drinking water and ice. You will get used to it eventually.
3. Is your yogurt full of sugar, colours and artificial flavours? Check the label: you could be in for a shock. Try combining plain, unsweetened yogurt with a small amount of jam. This way, you control the sweetness instead of leaving the decision to the yogurt manufacturer. Read about the health benefits of yogurt.
5. If you enjoy canned varieties of New England clam chowder, there is a simple way to reduce the sodium and fat content and increase the amount of fibre in each serving. Peel and dice a baking potato. Boil the diced potato until soft and drain away most, but not all, of the water. Prepare the canned soup according to the instructions on the label, then add in the diced potato along with an extra half-can of boiled water. Stir well over a low heat. The result should be a less salty clam chowder that is still thick, rich and tasty. You'll also be able to get more servings out of each can.
6. When choosing bread at the supermarket, be sure to read the nutrition information labels.
Try to avoid regular consumption of breads that are high in sodium.
7. If you must order french fries at a restaurant, ask for french fries with no added salt.
If you need salt on your fries, you can add it yourself ... in moderation!
8. Whenever you feel like reaching for a bag of crisps, reach for a bag of nuts instead.
9. Consider having a bowl of boiled chestnuts if you want a high-fibre, low-fat snack.
10. Pistachios are convenient, tasty and packed with nutrients.
