Mmmmm mmmmm good for you!

With the chilly air settling in, I find myself craving nice warm carbs....like breads, muffins, pasta, and hot cocoa. Thing is, switching from the lighter summer fare to more substantial (e.g., more caloric) fall foods can quickly add up without you realizing it. With swimsuit season now in our rearview mirrors, it becomes easier to not notice the pounds creeping up underneath heavier knit clothing.

So, in the spirit of looking for healthier ways to lighten up those comfort food favorites, here are some tips:

1. Take a couple of seconds before rummaging through your pantry or doing a quick drive thru at Boston Market. What is it that you're really hungry for? Are you merely craving something warm? If so, instead of ordering extra sides like creamed spinach or mac-n-cheese, order yourself a hot drink, like coffee or tea to help get your insides warm. Or, order a cup of soup. Remember to try and stick with the clear broths - as they're usually lighter in fat and calories.
2. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of Boston Market, and other restaurants serving up comfort food, but navigating the restaurants is difficult, especially with the yummy food right behind the glass. So, if you know that you're going to go to a restaurant think in advance about what your options are for ordering, that way you have a plan in mind, and can go in there and confidently order without succumbing to the piping hot extra buttery whipped potatoes. There's a great guide, "The Stop & Go Fast Food Nutrition Guide" that provides nutritional information on many national chain restaurants and a handy red, green, yellow traffic light coding system to help you choose healtheir options. The book is small. It can fit in a bigger purse, or you can easily stash it in your car's glove box for easy reference on the go. You can click on the link above to order a copy for $6.95, or download a PDF of it for free.
3. If you're cooking for yourself and tired of the same ol - same ol, subscribe to Hungry Girl newsletter that provides healthier food recipes and tips each day. The Hungry Gals come up with some really innovative recipe ideas, and great reviews on most of the healthier options out on the market.