Check the labels. Los Angeles Times Syndicate s the summer draws to a close, we thought you'd appreciate a list of food tips. They're a reminder that when chilly weather chases you inside, you don't have to resort to fatty, high-calorie foods for comfort. The suggestions come from Dr. Sheldon Margen and Dale A. Ogar, authors of The Simply Healthy Lowfat Cookbook , The Wellness Lowfat Cookbook and The Wellness Encyclopedia of Food and Nutrition . Enhance your diet with foods rich in carotenoids, notably beta carotene.
Some good choices are carrots, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe and dark leafy greens.
Even with a good diet that includes 5-6 servings of fruits and vegetables, it's a good idea to protect yourself with some antioxidant supplements. To minimize vitamin losses in foods to due to exposure to air, cut fruits and vegetables into thick slices or chunks as close to serving time as possible. A cup of carrot juice has as much beta carotene and vitamin C as three medium carrots, but less fiber than one carrot. To make a lower-fat salad dressing, just change the oil and vinegar ratio. It helps to use a flavorful oil, such as olive, sesame or nut oils, so you'll need less.