MayoClinic.com highlights 20 tips for healthy eating

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Healthy eating doesn't need to be boring or tiresome. Flavorful food combinations, fresh cooking ideas and a creative spirit can liven up meals and snacks. A new feature on MayoClinic.com provides simple tips to keep healthy eating interesting and enjoyable.

Here is a sampling of tips featured on MayoClinic.com to help individuals eat healthier:

• Experiment with new foods and combinations. Try mango or peach slices on whole wheat toast with a little peanut butter and honey.
• Try something new for breakfast. Munch on leftover vegetable pizza or make a smoothie blended from exotic fruits, low-fat yogurt and a spoonful of wheat germ.
• Add crushed bran cereal or unprocessed wheat bran to baked products, such as meatloaf, breads, muffins, casseroles, cakes and cookies.
• Grill fresh vegetables for a quick and healthy side dish. Cut vegetables into 1/2-inch slices or large chunks and baste with a light salad dressing or brush them with canola or olive oil. Grill until tender, turning only once.
• Take advantage of ready-to-use foods. Fresh bagged salads, frozen vegetables, low-fat deli meats, whole wheat pasta, whole grain breads, and fresh and canned unsweetened fruits take only minutes to prepare.
• For breakfast on the go, munch on dry, ready-to-eat cereal with a banana and drink a small carton of low-fat or skim milk.

In addition to nutrition and lifestyle tips, MayoClinic.com provides users with an interactive Healthy Weight Pyramid tool. The new tool focuses on your age, weight and height to determine a targeted daily calorie goal.

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