Guests at destination spas often express surprise at the delicious food. They never expected healthy meals to taste so good. It is easy to follow the same philosophy toward wholesome eating at home, says nutritionist Lisa
Powell, M.S., R.D.

“A well-balanced meal can be simple but should contain some protein, a moderate portion of unrefined carbo-hydrate, fruits and vegetables, and some healthy fat,” she says. This approach provides your body with essential energy, vitamins, minerals, fiber, nutrients and antioxidants to fight off disease and to function properly.

Fresh produce – organic if possible, tops her list for any menu. “Buy something in season that has ripened on the vine,” she says. Yet frozen fruits and vegetables are fine whenever the cook has little time. Canned goods also work in a pinch. “Look for products with low sodium, or drain off
the liquid,” Powell says.

Many convenience items offer healthy twists. Barbecue sauce without high-fructose corn syrup, for example, makes a nice addition to an outdoor meal. Read labels carefully. Some concoctions may be better suited for a
chemistry book than the table. Dried or fresh herbs enhance the flavor of vegetables. Healthy fat also tastes good and contributes to nutrition.

Sources for healthy fat include avocados, seeds, olive oil, canola oil and fish. Hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils as well as animal fats and full-fat dairy products get the cold shoulder. Red meat remains acceptable with-in reason. Powell’s recommendation: “Buy lean cuts and eat small portions.”

Fluids – at least eight 8-ounce glasses daily of anything except caffeinated and alcoholic beverages – rank equally with nutritious food. “The more fresh water, the better,” Powell stresses. She calls simple moderation the key to
healthful consumption. “It’s tedious to count calories,” she says. “That takes the joy out of eating.”