Countdown to a Healthier You

Eating healthy food doesn’t mean giving up your favorite foods. Your favorite recipes can be adapted easily to provide a healthier alternative. There are many ways to make meals healthier. For example, limiting fats, sugars and salts and including plenty of vegetables, fruits, grains, lean meats and low-fat dairy in your cooking. Here are some ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle this January and throughout the year:

10. Choose lean protein cuts such as boneless skinless chicken breasts and chicken tenders. Smart Chicken is hand-trimmed, making it convenient from package to pan.

9. Limit fast foods, chips, processed meats, pastries and pies, which all contain large amounts of fat.

8. Cook in liquids instead of oils (such as bone broth, wine, lemon juice, vinegar or water).

7. Steam vegetables instead of boiling them to lock in the nutrients.

6. Choose fresh or frozen vegetables. Canned and pickled vegetables tend to contain added salt.

5. Limit your consumption of salty processed meats such as salami, ham, corned beef, and bacon. Smart Chicken is lower in sodium and high in protein.

4. Add herbs to your cooking in the last few minutes for even more flavor.

3. Shopping and Storage. Stock up on pantry staples and non-perishables so that fruits, vegetables, and meats are as fresh as possible each week.

2. Plan Ahead. Check your calendar and take into account the week’s events and daily obligations before planning meals. Sometimes you simply won’t have time to prepare a fancy meal or even a meal at all. Start by building menus on the days that are less hectic. If you don’t know how to begin, visualize a dinner plate and divide your meal into its component parts from a nutritional standpoint.

1. Cook once, eat twice. Plan meals early in the week and cook double the amount of boneless chicken breasts necessary for one meal. Refrigerate the remaining chicken breasts and use in salads, soups, casseroles, sandwiches and more.