It's the quality of your food that counts, too.

We've probably all been told (or told ourselves), "If you can just stop eating chips (or sweets, or fast food), you'll be good to go". Well if only it was that simple!

We like to think that eating out is the enemy. And it is, to an extent. But if you're not keeping a careful eye on what you're fixing your family every night for dinner, it may not be much better than eating out.

Case in point; do you cook frozen pizza for dinner? How about breaded chicken tenders from the freezer? Maybe macaroni and cheese as a side with dinner? Take a peek at those labels. You may be surprised. All the calories, fat & sodium in these convenience foods is enough to make a grown man at least wince. Or enough to put on a few pounds. Just because you bought it from the store doesn't make it healthy. For instance, there's typically enough calories and fat in a 'side' of macaroni and cheese to just about equal what a whole dinner SHOULD be. Especially if you made it from a box.

Eating healthy and lean doesn't have to be complicated. You just have to be aware. Your homework is to check every label of every item you use regularly and look at the serving size too. Be honest with yourself. If the serving size of your spaghetti noodles says 1/3 cup, put 1/3 cup in a measuring cup, put it on the plate, and see what it REALLY looks like. Is that the amount you usually eat? Do the math and see what your dinners really stack up to be. On average, dinners usually shouldn't be more than about 400-500 calories, and full of whole grains, veggies and lean proteins. Lighter dinners can be easy. A simple, marinated boneless skinless chicken breast with a side of steamed veggies and a small helping of quinoa can be ready in less than 30 minutes. A light chicken casserole with brown rice can be very comforting and warm and also ready in about 30 minutes. Better yet, check out some slow cooker recipes. Look for things that use lean meats and non-rich sauces.

I'm happy to help vet ideas - or to send you recipes. Just email me! :) fithappy@yahoo.com - and as always, you can always sign up for free to have me as your fitness/health coach: just go www.TurboRomero.com & click join. Select the free option and I can help you with your fitness and diet goals. Or if you want extra information, the paid option has the added benefit of a wonderful, healthy meal planner & the recipes are actually REALLY tasty and filling.

In the meantime, check what you're cooking. Aside from calories, fat, sodium and all the other crazy stuff that's in convenience foods,  consider all the preservatives, hormones and other lovely things that they are stuffed with. Heck, even chicken nuggets are typically not real, whole chicken pieces. Sad, but true...and detrimental to losing weight and the overall health of your family...

~To Your Health~