This is from Ellie Krieger's cookbook The Foods You Crave (The Taunton Press,
$28) that is just loaded with luscious recipes that are based on the principle
of luscious foods prepared in a healthier way.
Confusion about healthy foods vs. healthy eating is everywhere. Over a recent dinner, my friend Suzanne proudly showed me a bag of what she thought were ''healthy'' plantain chips. Look, she said, ''they have fiber; they're healthy.'' I gently replied that they were OK, but not as wholesome a food as she thought. About 50 percent of the calories in each serving are from fat and 2 grams of the fat is saturated. Even with the fat, these chips could still fit into a healthy lifestyle as an occasional snack.
A healthy intake is built on the combination of foods eaten daily. Not every mouthful of food needs to be ''perfect'' nor does everything have to be low fat. A salad is a good example. Nutrient rich fat-free veggies topped with a reasonable amount of high-fat dressing combine to make a nourishing side dish or entrée. Fill your plate with whole grains, fruits and veggies, lean meats or beans and dairy or soy and you will probably have some calories left over for what the food guide pyramid calls ''discretionary calories,'' or treats. This could be a small serving of plantain chips or three Hershey kisses. You might not want to partake of discretionary calories every day, although placing a food on a ''forbidden'' list often intensifies desire. Therefore, maintaining an active lifestyle is key to balancing discretionary calories with a healthy weight.
Indulging in fabulous and easy new recipes keeps the healthy food message from getting stale. My favorite cookbook of the moment is The Foods You Crave by Ellie Krieger (Taunton Press, $28). Her recipes are healthy but so delicious you will think you are consuming discretionary calories.
